Chapter: 11th Microbiology : Chapter 5 : Cultivation of Microorganisms
Cultivation of Microorganisms
Cultivation
of Microorganisms
Microorganisms are omnipresent and they exist in soil, air,
water, spoiled food, decayed animal and plant residues. They are found in
environment as pathogens and normal microflora. Excellent supporting factors
are available in nature for microorganisms to survive in the environment. This
leads to microbial proliferation as an extended community in nature. The term
‘cultivation of microorganisms’ means growing microorganisms in the laboratory
with ample supply of specific nutrients (Figure 5.1). Obligate intracellular
parasites like viruses, Rickettsias
and Chlamydias are cultivated within
living cells.
Survival and growth of microorganisms depend upon the favourable
growth environment. Laboratory cultivation plays a crucial role in the
isolation, identification and classification of microorganisms. Cultivation of
bacteria and fungi by artificial formulated medium is one of the important
milestones in the history of Microbiology.
Robert Koch devised the solid medium (by using gelatin) to grow
and isolate the microorganisms.
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