microbiana

Microbiana is an adjective used in biology to refer to anything related to microorganisms—organisms too small to be seen clearly with the naked eye. The term encompasses a broad range of life forms, including bacteria, archaea, fungi, protozoa, and certain algae, and, depending on the context, may also include viruses and viroids as microbial agents. Microbes are found in virtually every environment and play essential roles in ecosystems and human activity.

Ecology and functions: They drive biogeochemical cycles (carbon, nitrogen, sulfur), decompose organic matter, fix atmospheric nitrogen, perform photosynthesis, and form mutualistic relationships with plants and animals. In soils, the microbiota influences fertility; in the human body, the microbiome contributes to digestion, immune development, and pathogen resistance. Pathogenic microbes can cause disease when misregulated or when host defenses are compromised.

Study and applications: Microbial communities are studied by microscopy, culturing, and sequencing, including metagenomics and metatranscriptomics. Many environmental microbes are difficult to culture, leading to culture-independent methods. Applications include fermentation, bioremediation, wastewater treatment, bioenergy, and production of antibiotics and enzymes.

Terminology and scope: The exact usage of microbiano/microbiana varies by language; in English, microbial or microbial is common. The concept underscores the abundance and significance of microbial life, despite its invisibility.