In this post we are going to discuss about the Microbiology study tips, Important learning or question topics and guidance of exam passing preparation with good score.
We are going to discuss about the :
- Meaning/Definition
- How to read the Subject
- What are the important topics
- How to perform well in the viva table
- How to score well in the University exam
Meaning/ Definition :
Microbiology is the study of microorganisms, sometimes known as microbes, which are a diverse group of microscopic basic life forms that include Bacteria, Virus, Fungi, Parasites, Algae etc. The structure, function, and classification of such creatures, as well as methods of exploiting and managing their activity, are all topics covered in this discipline.
How to read the subject :
If Biochemistry isn the most difficult subject of 1st year MBBS, then this place is replaced by Microbiology in the Second year MBBS. Because here also you have to mug up so many things in Bacteriology, Virology, and Parasitology.
General Microbiology and Immunology is easy, here you will be able to find some interesting conceptual topics. If a good teacher teaches you the Immunology part, then you are surely going to love this chapter. But unfortunately there are few teachers who can teach this subjects in very interesting way. And in General Microbiology you are going to find some easy concepts parts and also few mugging up topics.
Before entering to systemic Microbiology, here you are getting Bacteriology, Parasitology, Virology and Fungi. So make sure you arriving the clear concept of their classification, then only you will be able to remember all the data. So first understand and make notes about the classification.
Bacteriology is a taking most of the systemic microbiology, so here you have to mug up so many things. Then comes Parasitology, 2nd most largest part of systemic microbiology. So make sure you are having the mugging up skill. Parasites life cycles, host, agent are the part you have to remember.
Virology , here you also have to mug up some details.
What are the important topics :
(Only important for your Exam, study all topics if you want to enjoy Medicine)
General Microbiology – important topics :
- Microscope – types and their principle
- Electron Microscope full details
- Gram Staining – Procedure and Principle
- Acid Fast Stain – Zn(Ziehl-Neelsen) Stain
- Albert Satin
- Bacterial Cell wall – Teichoic Acid
- Cell wall appendages -Capsule and Slime layer, Biofilm formation
- Serological test
- Flagella
- Bacterial Motility
- Fimbriae or Pilli
- Bacterial Spores – Sporulation, Germination
- Bacterial Growth Curve – Lag phase, Log phase, Stationary phase
- Factors affecting growth of bacteria – Oxygen
Sterilisation and Disinfection – important topics :
- Sterilisation and Disinfection
- Dry heat, Hot air oven and Moist heat
- Inspissation/Fractional sterilization
- Tyndallization
- Autoclave and its principle
- Sterilizing conditions in Autoclave
- Chemical agents of sterilisation – Formaldehyde
- Gaseous Sterilisation – Ethylene oxide
Culture Media and Culture Methods – important topics :
- Types of culture media
- Blood Agar
- Enrichment Broth
- Lowenstein-Jensen medium
- Transport Media
- MacConkey agar
- Robertson’s cooked meat broth
Identification of Bacteria :
- Biochemical tests – Catalase test, Oxidase test, Indole test, Citrate Utilisation test, Triple Sugar Iron Agar test, Decarboxylase test, Methyl Red test, Voges-Proskauer test.
Bacterial Genetics important topics :
- Plasmid and Resistance Plasmids
- Mutation
- Gene transfer methods – Transformation, Transduction, Lysogenic Conversion, and Conjugation
- Resistance Transfer Factor (RTF)
Antimicrobial :
- Mechanism of Antimicrobial Resistance
- Beta Lactamase enzyme
Microbial Pathogenecity :
- Difference between Endotoxins and Exotoxins
Immunology – important topics :
- Difference between Innate Immunity and Acquired Immunity
- Active and Passive Immunity
- Primary and Secondary Immune Response
- Hapten
- Heterophile Antigens
- Superantigens
- Immunolobulins – IgG, IgA, IgM, IgE, IgD
- Monoclonal Antibody
- AntigenAntibody Reaction
- Passive Agglutination test
- Prozone phenomenon
- Complement Fixation test
- ELISA test
- Immunofluorescence Assay
- Immunchromagraphic Test
- Complement System
- Classical pathway of Complement system
- Difference between T-cell and B-cell
- Difference between MHC class-I and MHC Class-II
- Cytokines
- Helper T cells
- TH1 and TH2 cytokines and their functions
- Humoral /AntibodyMediated immune response
- Hypersensitivity Reactions types
- Serum Sickness and Arthus Reaction
Systemic Bacteriology – important topics :
- Virulence Factors
- Full bacteriology classification
- Toxic Shock Syndrome
- Urinary Tract infection causing bacteria
- Coagulase negative staphjylococci
- Staphylococcus epidermidis Pathogenesis
- Suppurative Complications of of streptococcus pyrogens infection
- Toxic Shock Syndrome
- Group B streptococci
- Treatment of Enterococcus
- Difference between Streptococcus pneumonia and Viridans streptococci
- Pneumococcus Capsular polysaccharide, Lab diagnosis
- Quellung Reaction
- Pyogenic meningitis
- Corynebacterium diphtheria – Virulence factors, Pathogenicity, Lab diagnosis, Shick Test
- Clinical types of bacillus
- Human Anthrax
- Virulence factors of clostridium perfringens
- Gas gangrene lab diagnosis
- Nagler’s reaction
- Infant botulism
- Nontuberculous mycobacteria
- Tuberculin test
- Resistance to Antitubercular Drugs
- Lepromin Test
- Actinomycosis
- Kass concept of significant bacteriuria
- E.Coli Types
- Shia-like Toxin
- Weil-Felix Reaction
- Plague Types
- Anamnestic Response
- Nonhalophilic vibrios
- Cholera Toxin
- Satellitism
- Whooping cough
- VDRL
- Chlamydiae are bacteria, not virus
- Mycoplasmas and L-form
Virology – important topics :
- Viral Replication
- Inclusion Body
- Interferon mechanism of action
- Isolation of Virus
- Tissue Culture
- Cytopathic Effect
- Neonatal varicella
- Zostal ophthalmicus
- Ramsay Hunt Syndrome
- Lysogenic Cycle
- Antigenic Variation of Influenza virus
- CNS complications of measles virus
- Difference between Injectable and Oral Polio vaccine
- Polio Eradication
- Arbovirus found in India
- Hemorrhagic fever group
- Antibody response against Dengue Virus
- Dengue hemorrhagic fever
- Dengue Shock Syndrome
- Negri Bodies
- Rabies vaccine
- Rabies prophylaxis
- HIV virus
- Opportunistic infections
- Prion Diseases
- Rotavirus
- Hep-A virus
- Viral markers of HBV Infection
- Hep-C virus
- Viral Oncogenesis
Parasitology – Important topics :
- Protozoa classification – Amoebae, Ciliates, Flagellates, Sporozoa
- Entamoeba hystolytica
- Naeglaria fowleri
- Acanthamoeba species
- Giardia lamblia
- Trichomonas vaginalis
- Leishmania – L. Donovan, L.tropica, L.brasilensis
- PKDL(Post Kala Azar Leishmaniasis)
- Trypanoma brucei
- Trypanoma Cruzi
- Toxoplasma gondii
- Plasmodium species – P.vivax, P.ovale, P.falciparum, P.knowlesi
- Helminthology – Cestodes, Trematodes, and Nematodes
- Diphyllobothrium Tatum/ Fish tapeworm
- H. nana/ Dwarf Tape worm
- Echinococcus granulosus/ Dog tapeworm – Hydatid Cyst (very very important topic)
- Trematodes – Schistosoma haematobium, S.mansoni, S.japonicum, Fasciola hepatica/Sheep liver fluke, Clonorchis sinensis/oriental/chinese liver fluke, Paragonimus westimoni(Lung Fluke).
- Nematodes – Ascaris, Hookworm, Necator americanus, Strongyloides sterclaris, Tricuris trichura, Enterobius vermicularis, Wucheria bancrofti, Brugyia malayi, Brugyia timori, Loa Loa, Onchocerca volvolus
Fungi – important topics :
- Classification of fungi
- Dimorphic fungi
- Opportunistic fungi
- Tinea Versicolor
- Eumycotoma
- Mucosal candidiasis and lab diagnosis
- Cryptococcosis
- Pseudohyphae and True Hyphae
How to perform well in Microbiology viva table :
For the Grand Viva, simply produce a notebook and begin covering all of the topics in a diagram/flowchart format. This will help you revise more efficiently before the exam.
All practical contents are as follows: The examiner will inquire about Specimens, Microscopic slides, Microbiology lab equipments, Gram staining and various lab tests in this regard.
So, here’s everything you need to know about General microbiology, Systemic microbiology. In the Gram staining section the examiner will ask you about all the theories regarding to that particular organism. So make sure you are reading the Biochemical tests, virulence factors, etc. You must have to cover all the topics from a standard textbook.
When working with specimens, make a mental note of all the relevant facts. For example, if you’re studying Taenia solium, you’ll need to know what are the defining features, diagnoses, and tests are.
In the Lab equipments table, you will be asked to pick up one or two devices, after which the examiner will ask you questions regarding the device’s name, uses, and other pertinent information. Try to read it from a practical book, and don’t forget to take self-notes so you may go over it again before the Viva.
Also, make sure you’re attending your Practical classes for lab tests.
How to score well in the Microbiology University exam :
You must solve prior year’s question papers from that university in order to pass the university test. Then, in a notebook, create flowcharts and diagrams for each prior year’s questions.
And also try to solve supplementary question papers of your respective University, you are surely going to get some uncommon questions from that part.
Revise all of the diagrams and flowcharts for presentation in the answer paper now, before the exam. Keep in mind that each question has its own set of marks for diagrams and flowcharts.