JAWAHARLAL NEHRU TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY HYDERABAD Pharm. D II Year PHARMACEUTICAL MICROBIOLOGY Previous Question Paper (October/November - 2019 - R08)

Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek: Known as the father of microbiology, he constructed simple, high-quality single-lens microscopes. He was the first to observe and document bacteria and protozoa, which he termed 'animalcules', in 1676.

Edward Jenner: Pioneered the field of immunology by developing the first successful vaccine. In 1796, he demonstrated that inoculation with cowpox virus provided immunity against smallpox, establishing the foundation for vaccination.

Louis Pasteur: Disproved the theory of spontaneous generation through his swan-neck flask experiments. He developed the process of pasteurization, formulated the germ theory of disease, and created vaccines for anthrax and rabies.

Robert Koch: Established the scientific basis for the germ theory of disease by formulating 'Koch's Postulates', a series of criteria to link a specific microbe to a specific disease. He also discovered the causative agents of tuberculosis (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) and cholera (Vibrio cholerae).

The microbial world is primarily divided into prokaryotes and eukaryotes, based on cellular organization.

1. Prokaryotes: These lack a membrane-bound nucleus and organelles. This group includes Bacteria and Archaea. They are unicellular and possess circular DNA.
2. Eukaryotes: These contain a defined nucleus and membrane-bound organelles. This group includes Fungi (yeasts and molds), Protozoa, and Algae.
3. Viruses: These are considered acellular entities that exist at the edge of life. They lack independent metabolic machinery and require a host cell to replicate, bridging the gap between non-living chemicals and living organisms.

The relationship between these groups is defined by evolutionary descent, with prokaryotes representing the ancestral forms from which eukaryotic complexity evolved through endosymbiosis. Microbes are further classified based on their metabolic requirements, genetic sequences, and ecological roles, forming an interconnected web of life where prokaryotes serve as the foundational decomposers and primary producers in global ecosystems.