| dc.description.abstract | The microbial biodiversity in micro-scale started to be examined at the end of 17th century,
when Anton van Leeuvenhoek, as the first researcher, used simple microscopes in observation
and description of the small organisms: microbes. In the beginning of microbiology
development, the world of unicellular bacteria was seen as uncomplicated, predictable in
their simplicity, and bacteria were perceived as single, isolated cells existing in nature. The
dynamic development of new research techniques, including molecular biology showed that
this simplicity of bacterial structures, metabolism and ecology does not seem so obvious.
An interesting point of microbial biodiversity is the biofilm formation by the bacteria, and
the specialisation of bacterial cells within this structure. The present research indicated
rich biodiversity of outer membrane structures not only between Gram-negative and Grampositive
groups of bacteria, but also between the cells of bacteria in species and subspecies.
To consider this information about microbial biodiversity, it is advisable to pay attention to
the concept and definition of bacterial species. The species concept in microbiology is still
a controversial issue for taxonomists and microbiologists. | en |
