Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Microbial Fermentation01:23

Microbial Fermentation

1.6K
Fermentation is a crucial anaerobic metabolic process that enables microbes to derive energy from sugar without relying on oxygen or an electron transport chain. This process is fundamental to various biological and industrial applications and is classified based on the metabolic products generated.Role of Pyruvate in FermentationPyruvate and its derivatives serve as key electron acceptors in fermentative pathways. The oxidation of NADH to regenerate NAD+ is essential for the continuation of...
1.6K
Microbial Nutrition01:28

Microbial Nutrition

1.4K
Organisms exhibit remarkable metabolic diversity, categorized based on how they acquire energy and carbon. These strategies enable survival in various ecological niches and are essential for maintaining energy flow and nutrient cycling within ecosystems.Energy and Carbon SourcesOrganisms are classified as phototrophs or chemotrophs based on energy acquisition. Phototrophs use light as their energy source, while chemotrophs rely on oxidizing chemical compounds. Further differentiation arises...
1.4K
Microbial Morphologies01:29

Microbial Morphologies

3.8K
Bacterial and archaeal cells exhibit remarkable diversity in shape and structure, critical in their adaptability and functionality. Among bacteria, the most commonly observed shapes include cocci and bacilli. Cocci are spherical and may exist singly or in groupings such as pairs (diplococci), chains (streptococci), clusters (staphylococci), or tetrads. Bacilli, in contrast, are rod-shaped and can also occur as single cells, in pairs, or chains, depending on their environmental and genetic...
3.8K
Microbial Classification System01:24

Microbial Classification System

1.2K
Classification is the process of organizing organisms into hierarchically inclusive groups based on their phenotypic similarities or evolutionary relationships. A species comprises one or more strains, and closely related species are grouped into genera. Genera are further classified into families, families into orders, orders into classes, and so forth, up to the domain level, which is the broadest taxonomic rank derived from a combination of phenotypic and genotypic data.The nomenclature of...
1.2K
Cell Size01:22

Cell Size

130.2K
Cell sizes vary widely among and within organisms. Bacterial cells range between 1-10 micrometers (μm)and are considerably smaller than most eukaryotic cells. The smallest bacteria are 0.1 μm in diameter—about a thousand times smaller than eukaryotic cells, which typically range from 10-100 μm.
Surface Area
Cells can take in nutrients and water via diffusion through the plasma membrane itself or through specific channels in the membrane. The area of the membrane surrounding...
130.2K
Brick Sizes01:21

Brick Sizes

344
Brick sizing plays a crucial role in construction, influencing both the aesthetics and structural integrity of buildings. Bricks are defined by three dimensions: width, thickness, and length. They are commonly designed to fit modular measurements, typically in multiples of 4 inches or 8 inches in width, to facilitate uniform construction and compatibility with other building materials.
Modular bricks are the most common type and are sized to include the mortar joint, which is essential for...
344

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Immune pathways that regulate neutrophil activation and replenishment prevent persistent pneumococcal colonization.

PLoS pathogens·2026
Same author

Bacterial and host factors affecting acquisition of <i>Streptococcus pneumoniae</i> in a murine model.

Infection and immunity·2026
Same author

Bacterial and host factors affecting acquisition of <i>Streptococcus pneumoniae</i> in a murine model.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026
Same author

Immune pathways that regulate neutrophil activation and replenishment prevent persistent pneumococcal colonization.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026
Same author

Inhibitory effect of capsule on natural transformation of <i>Streptococcus pneumoniae</i>.

mBio·2025
Same author

Best Practices in the Development and Use of Experimental Models of Bacterial Pneumonia: An Official American Thoracic Society Workshop Report.

American journal of respiratory cell and molecular biology·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 10, 2026

Author Spotlight: Advancing Research in Microbial Autoaggregation Using Imaging Flow Cytometry
05:19

Author Spotlight: Advancing Research in Microbial Autoaggregation Using Imaging Flow Cytometry

Published on: September 29, 2023

1.3K

The battle with the host over microbial size.

Jeffrey N Weiser1

  • 1Department of Microbiology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States. weiser@mail.med.upenn.edu

Current Opinion in Microbiology
|February 12, 2013
PubMed
Summary

Microbial size influences how effectively the host immune system, like complement and immunoglobulin, can target pathogens. Pathogens may alter size to evade immune responses, highlighting size as a critical factor in host-microbe battles.

More Related Videos

Automated, High-Throughput Detection of Bacterial Adherence to Host Cells
07:21

Automated, High-Throughput Detection of Bacterial Adherence to Host Cells

Published on: September 17, 2021

4.0K
Evaluation of Host-Pathogen Responses and Vaccine Efficacy in Mice
08:52

Evaluation of Host-Pathogen Responses and Vaccine Efficacy in Mice

Published on: February 22, 2019

11.3K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Feb 10, 2026

Author Spotlight: Advancing Research in Microbial Autoaggregation Using Imaging Flow Cytometry
05:19

Author Spotlight: Advancing Research in Microbial Autoaggregation Using Imaging Flow Cytometry

Published on: September 29, 2023

1.3K
Automated, High-Throughput Detection of Bacterial Adherence to Host Cells
07:21

Automated, High-Throughput Detection of Bacterial Adherence to Host Cells

Published on: September 17, 2021

4.0K
Evaluation of Host-Pathogen Responses and Vaccine Efficacy in Mice
08:52

Evaluation of Host-Pathogen Responses and Vaccine Efficacy in Mice

Published on: February 22, 2019

11.3K

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Pathogenesis

Background:

  • Microbial size is a fundamental characteristic influencing host-pathogen interactions.
  • Host immune recognition and antimicrobial activities are often dependent on surface area and molecular interactions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the role of microbial size as a factor in host defense and pathogen evasion strategies.
  • To understand how host immune factors and microbial virulence factors interact concerning microbial size.

Main Methods:

  • The study discusses theoretical interactions between microbial size and host immune components.
  • It reviews known host defenses (e.g., complement, immunoglobulin agglutination) and microbial evasion tactics.

Main Results:

  • Antimicrobial substances like complement are more effective against larger surface areas.
  • Microbes may minimize size to evade antimicrobial activity, while hosts use agglutination to enhance clearance.
  • Pathogens can express virulence factors to block agglutination, thus preventing immune-mediated clearance.

Conclusions:

  • Microbial size is a dynamic battleground in the host-pathogen relationship.
  • Both host defenses and microbial virulence strategies are influenced by and act upon microbial size.