MICRO 210 Exam 2 Master Cheat Sheet

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering key concepts in microbial metabolism, growth, control, and related terminology for the MICRO 210 Exam 2.

Metabolism

The sum of the chemical reactions that occur within a living organism to maintain life, including catabolism and anabolism.

ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate)

A high-energy molecule used as the main energy currency of the cell, consisting of adenine, ribose, and three phosphate groups.

Catabolism

The metabolic process of breaking down molecules to obtain energy, usually exergonic and hydrolytic.

Anabolism

The metabolic process of synthesizing complex molecules from simpler ones, generally endergonic and requires energy in the form of ATP.

Enzyme

A biological catalyst, usually a protein, that accelerates chemical reactions by lowering their activation energy.

Active site

The specific region of an enzyme where substrate molecules bind and undergo a chemical reaction.

Cofactor

A non-protein molecule that assists enzymes in catalyzing reactions; can be either metal ions or organic molecules.

Competitive inhibitor

A molecule that binds to the active site of an enzyme, competing with the substrate.

Noncompetitive inhibitor

A molecule that binds to an enzyme, but not at the active site, inducing a conformational change that reduces enzyme activity.

Feedback inhibition

A regulatory mechanism in metabolic pathways where the end product inhibits an earlier step in the pathway, typically the first enzyme.

Oxidation

The process of losing electrons during a chemical reaction, often associated with energy release.

Reduction

The process of gaining electrons during a chemical reaction, leading to energy storage.

Glycolysis

The metabolic pathway that converts glucose into pyruvate, yielding ATP and NADH, occurring in the cytoplasm.

Krebs cycle

A series of chemical reactions used by all aerobic organisms to generate energy through the oxidation of acetyl-CoA.

Electron Transport Chain (ETC)

A series of complexes that facilitate the transfer of electrons through the mitochondrial inner membrane, leading to ATP production.

Fermentation

An anaerobic process that allows for the conversion of glucose to energy without oxygen, typically producing 2 ATP.

Binary fission

A method of asexual reproduction in prokaryotes where a single cell divides into two genetically identical daughter cells.

Growth curve

A graphical representation of the growth of a bacterial population over time, consisting of lag, log, stationary, and death phases.

Psychrophiles

Microorganisms that thrive at low temperatures, typically below 15°C.

Mesophiles

Microorganisms that grow optimally at moderate temperatures, around 20-45°C, including most pathogens.

Antibiotic

A substance made by microorganisms that inhibits the growth of or kills other microorganisms.

Selective toxicity

The property of a drug to selectively target and harm microbial pathogens without affecting the host's cells.

Plasmolysis

The process in which cells lose water in a hypertonic solution, causing the cytoplasm to shrink away from the cell wall.

Quorum sensing

The ability of bacteria to communicate and coordinate their behavior based on population density.

Biofilm

A community of microorganisms attached to a surface, embedded in a matrix of extracellular polymeric substances.

Chitin

A polysaccharide that forms the cell wall of fungi and provides structural strength.

Dimorphic fungi

Fungi that can exist in both mold and yeast forms, often depending on environmental conditions.