Intro to Microbiology (Ch.1) Video Notes - Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the microbiology notes (Ch. 1).

Microbiology

The study of microorganisms that are invisible to the naked eye.

Bacteria

Single-celled prokaryotes; some species cause disease.

Fungi

Eukaryotic organisms including yeasts and molds.

Prions

Infectious protein particles lacking nucleic acids.

Protists

A diverse group of mostly unicellular eukaryotic organisms.

Helminths

Parasitic worms (flatworms and roundworms).

Viruses

Non-cellular infectious agents that require a host to replicate.

Archaea

Single-celled prokaryotes distinct from bacteria; often in extreme environments.

Biopharmaceutical production

Use of microbes to produce drugs, vaccines, enzymes; fermentation-based manufacturing.

Fermentation

Microbial process to produce foods and beverages; used in industry.

Bioremediation

Use of microorganisms to degrade environmental pollutants and clean up hazards.

Virology

Study of viruses.

Mycology

Study of fungi.

Bacteriology

Study of bacteria.

Parasitology

Study of parasites.

Pathogens

Disease-causing microbes.

Opportunistic pathogen

Microbes that cause disease only in immunocompromised hosts.

Golden Age of Microbiology

Period 1850–1920 with major innovations and techniques still used today.

Spontaneous generation

Idea that life can arise from non-living materials.

Biogenesis

Idea that life arises from existing life.

Louis Pasteur

Disproved spontaneous generation; contributed to germ theory and pasteurization.

Koch's postulates

Four criteria linking a microbe to a disease: (1) present in every case, (2) isolated and grown in pure culture, (3) causes disease when inoculated, (4) re-isolated from diseased host.

Binomial nomenclature

System of naming organisms with two names: Genus and species.

Normal microbiota

Microbiota that normally reside on/in the body; train immune system, produce vitamins, aid digestion, may affect mood/brain.

Transient microbiota

Temporary microbes that reside on the body and are not permanent residents.

Growth media

Nutrient mixtures that support the growth of bacteria in the lab.

Colony

A visible group of cells originating from a single parent cell.

Pure culture

A culture containing only one microbial type.

Aseptic technique

Procedures that limit contamination of cultures and environments.

Mixed culture

Cultures containing more than one type of microbe; shows different colonies.

Smear

Thin film of sample spread on a slide for staining.

Heat fixation

Fixing the smear to the slide by passing through a flame.

Staining

Applying dyes to visualize cells under a microscope.

Endospore stain

Structural stain used to visualize endospores.

Flagella stain

Structural stain used to visualize flagella.

Gram stain

Differential stain classifying bacteria as Gram-positive or Gram-negative.

Acid-fast stain

Differential stain for Mycobacteria; resists decolorization.

Primary stain

Initial dye in a differential stain.

Mordant

Substance that fixes the dye to cells in a differential stain.

Decolorizer

Agent that removes stain from some cells in a differential stain.

Counterstain

Second dye providing contrast in a differential stain.

Crystal Violet

Primary stain in Gram staining.

Gram's Iodine

Mordant in Gram staining.

Ethanol/Acetone

Decolorizer in Gram staining.

Safranin

Counterstain in Gram staining.

Compound light microscope

The most common microscope used in labs.

Alexander Fleming

Discovered penicillin.

Robert Hooke

First to observe and publish descriptions of cells.

Edward Jenner

First to vaccinate against smallpox.

Robert Koch

First to prove that microbes cause diseases.

Carl Linnaeus

Developed a naming system for organisms (binomial nomenclature).

Joseph Lister

First to use aseptic techniques in surgery.

Florence Nightingale

Established aseptic practices in nursing.

Julius Petri

Developed the Petri dish for culturing bacteria.

Ignaz Semmelweis

First to implement handwashing to prevent childbed fever.

Antonie van Leeuwenhoek

First to observe bacteria; father of microbiology.