Ocular therapeutics Ð Part 9 Basic and ocular microbiology

We will start with a brief description of what micro-organisms are, beginning with their physical and chemical characteristics. Microbes fall into the biologic kingdom called Protista. Protists differ from plants and animals as they are generally comprised of single-celled structures. Micro-organisms consist of nucleic acids, proteins, lipids and carbohydrates (sugars). The nucleic acids may be either DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) or RNA (ribonucleic acid). DNA codes genetic information which determines the phenotype of the micro-organism and RNA molecules participate in protein synthesis. Each micro-organism also contains enzymes which determine its metabolic activity. These enzymes regulate cellular reactions and the biosynthesis of macromolecules from nutrients derived from the environment.