Towards an Evolutionary Perspective in Teaching and Popularizing Microbiology

Overview

Journal J Microbiol Biol Educ

Publisher American Society for Microbiology

Specialty Biology

Date 2018 Jun 16

PMID 29904541

Citations 5

Authors

Fernando Bueno Ferreira Fonseca de Fraga

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Microorganisms are extremely abundant on our planet, and, as a result, they interact with many others forms of life. Today, science recognizes the essential role of these organisms in the emergence and maintenance of life on Earth. Nonetheless, misconceptions about microorganisms in the imaginations of students and the lay audience persist. A major challenge in teaching and popularizing microbiology is to provide students and the general public with a varied understanding of microbes in nature to reinforce their importance in a multitude of processes. In this perspective article, I discuss the persistence of the association between microbes and disease in laypersons' views. Moreover, I advocate for the adoption of a perspective anchored in evolutionary biology for teaching and popularizing microbiology to minimize this problem. To do so, I present several topics that interconnect evolution and microbiology and discuss how these topics could increase the general public's understanding of the microbial world.

Citing Articles

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