How hard is Micro

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Hi I'm new to this site. I'm takong Microbiology this semster. I have heard both good and bad things about this class. How hard was this class to you. I had to take General bio before and I finally passes it with my 3rd attempt. How many hours of study time do you generaly need to pass? Thanks for your help.

Micro classes seem to vary widely, more so than other science classes. My micro class was the hardest class I've ever taken. It was just as much information as A&P plus it was conceptually much more complex than A&P.

That said, I often read on this board about people who have "fun" micro classes. So I think it's really hard to pre-judge. Good professor recommendations are really helpful.

I agree, the concepts are hard to wrap your head around if you aren't science savvy (I'm having trouble understanding what makes atoms postive or negative). I think lab is fun because you get to play around with microbes :lol2:. Of course ask me if I feel the same after my first lab test ;). I wish we'd have an exam soon so I can see where I stand!

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have you taken organic/bio chem? if so then micro will be almost a breeze. knowing the structure and function of proteins, dna, lipids, enzymes and cellular respiration, tca cycle etc puts you at a huge advantage. my micro class was pretty much a repeat of my bio chem class, as it applied to bacteria instead of people. my classmates that hadn't taken that chem first really struggled as there was just way too much to learn at once. i think it should be a prerequisite instead of inorganic chem.

so i try to tell as many people as i can that if they need organic/bio chem (i know a lot of bsn and dental hygiene programs require it) to take it prior to micro and you'll pretty much have free time where study time would have been!

good luck!

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Specializes in being a Credible Source.
I'm having trouble understanding what makes atoms postive or negative

Really simple: If the number of electrons equals the number of protons (the atomic number), the atom is neutral. If the number of electrons exceeds the atomic number, the atom is negatively charged. If the number of protons exceeds the number of electrons, it's positively charged.

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Really simple: If the number of electrons equals the number of protons (the atomic number) the atom is neutral. If the number of electrons exceeds the atomic number, the atom is negatively charged. If the number of protons exceeds the number of electrons, it's positively charged.[/quote']

What a simple way to help someone understand! These 3 sentences just helped me ALOT! Thanks!

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I also thought Micro was my hardest class so far. But I loved it, studied very hard and got an A.

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I agree, the concepts are hard to wrap your head around if you aren't science savvy (I'm having trouble understanding what makes atoms postive or negative). I think lab is fun because you get to play around with microbes :lol2:. Of course ask me if I feel the same after my first lab test ;). I wish we'd have an exam soon so I can see where I stand!

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Elements are made of atoms - the smallest characteristic units of an element.

Atoms consist of a central nucleus

Nucleus consists of positively charged protons and uncharged neutrons.

Electrons are negatively charged particles that move around the nucleus in electron shells.

Atoms are electrically neutral because they have equalnumber of protons and electrons.

Number of protons in an atomis its' Atomic number

(C = 6; it has 6 protons).

Atomic mass number is the total of protons and neutrons in the atom (C=12; it has 6P + 6N).

Electron shells hold a maximum of 2, 8 and 18 electrons in their 1st, 2nd and 3rd rings

If an atom loses or gains electrons, it becomes a positively or negatively charged Ion (H+).

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Valence shell is the outermost shell of electrons in an atom.

-If it contains 8 electrons, the atom is chemically stable

(neon, argon)

-Most of body's elements (C, H, O, N) do not have 8 electrons in their valence shell.

- To become chemically stable, they bond with other atoms.

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Specializes in DOU.

Heheh... I was teaching my daughter about atom structure by using a basketball for the nucleus and hoola hoops for the valence shells... :)

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i failed my A&P, microb, biochemistry and patholgy last semester. now i dont know what to. 5 subjects to repeat. i n always weak in my biology-related subject.

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Specializes in Acute Care Psych, DNP Student.
I agree, the concepts are hard to wrap your head around if you aren't science savvy (I'm having trouble understanding what makes atoms postive or negative). I think lab is fun because you get to play around with microbes :lol2:. Of course ask me if I feel the same after my first lab test ;). I wish we'd have an exam soon so I can see where I stand!

I don't think it always has to do with being science savvy or not. I'm taking organic chemistry right now, and it is easy compared to my micro class.

I just think that classes vary greatly depending upon the professor, choice of textbook, etc.

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I actually liked Micro more than A+P. Micro is about bacteria and virii and what they do and such, where as A+P is more memorization of systems. Just do your normal studying and try to learn as much as you can, and the grade will follow that.

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I am in Micro this semester too. It's not that bad. I actually find it interesting and my professor is awesome! She makes the class enjoyable. I would just make sure you read the book, go to class, take good notes..if your professor gives you handouts or anything make sure you complete them and what not. But I think tis is one of my favorite classes i've had so far. If I dind't want to be a nurse so bad i'd change my major to molecular bio just because of this class. Good luck. If you need any help- message me on here. TTYL.

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not sure who posted saying they werent sure what made a microorganism + or -.... hope this helps:

i do know that when you do a gram stain and the mo turns purple or blue it is positive because the violet blue stain sticks to the cell membrene or cell wall..something like that. so it has something to do with the cellular structure.

i also foun d this on wikipedia....easier to look it up then try to explain it myself..lol.

[edit] characteristics

the following characteristics are displayed by gram-negative bacteria:

  1. cell walls only contain a few layers of peptidoglycan (which is present in much higher levels in gram-positive bacteria)
  2. cells are surrounded by an outer membrane containing lipopolysaccharide (which consists of lipid a, core polysaccharide, and o-polysaccharide) outside the peptidoglycan layer
  3. porins exist in the outer membrane, which act like pores for particular molecules
  4. there is a space between the layers of peptidoglycan and the secondary cell membrane called the periplasmic space
  5. the s-layer is directly attached to the outer membrane, rather than the peptidoglycan
  6. if present, flagella have four supporting rings instead of two
  7. no teichoic acids or lipoteichoic acids are present
  8. lipoproteins are attached to the polysaccharide backbone whereas in gram-positive bacteria no lipoproteins are present
  9. most do not sporulate (coxiella burnetti forms spore-like structures

characteristics

the following characteristics are generally present in a gram-positive bacterium:[3]

  1. a very thick cell wall (peptidoglycan).
  2. if a flagellum is present, it contains two rings for support as opposed to four in gram-negative bacteria because gram-positive bacteria have only one membrane layer.
  3. teichoic acids and lipoteichoic acids are present, which serve to act as chelating agents, and also for certain types of adherence.

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