SciOly Microbe Mission

Microbe

A microscopic form of life including bacterial, archaeal, fungal, and protozoal cells.

Eukaryotic Cell

A complex cell with genetic material organized into a membrane-bound nucleus.

Prokaryotic Cell

An organism lacking a membrane-bound nucleus or other organelles.

Prion

An infectious agent made of protein that can cause diseases.

Virus

A non-living microorganism that replicates inside living cells.

Bacteria

Single-celled microorganisms with a simple internal structure.

Archaeabacteria

Genetically and metabolically distinct microorganisms.

Fungi

Eukaryotic organisms lacking chlorophyll, obtaining nutrition from other sources.

Protists

Diverse eukaryotic organisms not classified as animals, plants, or fungi.

Parasitic Worms

Organisms that feed on living hosts, causing diseases.

Plasma Membrane

Regulates cell entry and exit.

Cytoplasm

The cell's fluid content.

Nucleus

Cell's control center for regulation.

Nuclear Envelope

Encases the nucleus, similar to the cell membrane.

Pores (in the nucleus)

Allow passage of RNA and proteins.

Nucleolus

Site for ribosome synthesis.

Mitochondria

Produce energy for the cell.

Ribosome

Synthesizes proteins.

Rough ER

Packages and synthesizes proteins.

Smooth ER

Stores and creates lipids.

Golgi Apparatus

Creates complex molecules from simple ones.

Vesicle

Stores and transports substances.

Vacuole

Storage compartments in cells.

Cell Wall

Provides support to plant cells.

Chloroplast

Conducts photosynthesis in plant cells.

Centriole

Involved in cell division.

Anaerobic Bacteria

Bacteria not using oxygen for food production.

Aerobic Bacteria

Bacteria using oxygen for food production.

Photosynthetic Bacteria

Bacteria using photosynthesis for food production.

Bacilli Bacteria

Rod-shaped bacteria found in soil and water.

Cocci Bacteria

Rounded bacteria with various effects.

Spirillum Bacteria

Corkscrew-shaped bacteria mainly in water.

Animalia

Kingdom including mammals, reptiles, and birds.

Plantae

Kingdom including plants.

Fungi (Kingdom)

Kingdom including fungi.

Protista

Kingdom including protozoans and single-celled eukaryotes.

Monera

Kingdom including bacteria and unicellular organisms.

Bright Field Microscope

Uses visible light for imaging.

Dark Field Microscope

Illuminates specimens from the sides.

Phase Contrast Microscope

Converts phase shifts to brightness changes.

Differential-Interference Microscope

Enhances contrast in unstained organisms.

Fluorescence Microscope

Uses fluorescence for imaging.

Confocal Microscope

Increases optical resolution and contrast.

Transition Electron Microscope (TEM)

Uses electrons for imaging.

Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM)

Scans specimen surfaces with electrons.

Ocular

Eyepiece with magnification.

Nosepiece

Supports and holds objectives.

Objectives

Lenses magnifying items on slides.

Stage Clips

Hold slides in place.

Acellular

Organisms lacking cellular components.

Streptococcus Pyogenes

Gram-positive bacteria causing infections spread through the air or shared drinks, prevented by handwashing and not sharing utensils, treated with antibiotics.

Treponema Pallidum

Gram-negative bacteria causing sexually transmitted syphilis, prevented by safe sex and monogamy, treated with antibiotics.

Tetanus

Acute and potentially fatal infection of the central nervous system caused by tetanus bacteria's toxin.

Mycobacterium Tuberculosis

Bacteria causing tuberculosis, a communicable lung disease transmitted through the air, remaining dormant until later.

Tinea Pedis

Fungal infection known as Athlete's Foot, appearing as a red itchy rash between toes, caused by dermatophyte fungi.

Dutch Elm Disease

Fungal disease of elm trees spread by elm bark beetles, leading to tree death.

Ergotism

Disease in humans caused by consuming rye plants contaminated with ergots, resulting in gangrene, hallucinations, and nervous spasms.

Histoplasmosis

Fungal disease caused by inhaling spores found in soil with bird/bat droppings, leading to respiratory infection.

Phytophthora Infestans

Fungal disease causing Potato Blight, leading to dry brown rot in potatoes, contributing to the Irish Potato Famine.

Dermatophytosis

Fungal infection causing Ringworm, forming ring-shaped patches on the skin, hair, or nails.

Candida Albicans

Yeast causing Thrush, an oral infection with white tongue coating and mouth yeast infection.

Plasmodium

Parasite causing Malaria, transmitted by mosquitoes, leading to high mortality rates, especially in children.

Saxitoxin

Toxin causing Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning when shellfish accumulate it from dinoflagellates they eat.

Pfiesteria Piscicida

Dinoflagellate causing Estuary Associated Syndrome with symptoms like memory loss, rash, and GI issues after exposure.

Giardia Lamblia

Protozoan causing Giardiasis or traveler's diarrhea, transmitted through contaminated water.

Cryptosporidium

Parasite causing Cryptosporidiosis, infecting the gastrointestinal tract and brain, commonly found in farm animals.

Prion

Infectious protein causing diseases like Scrapie in sheep and goats, and in humans, diseases like Kuru and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

Ancylostoma Duodenale

Hookworm that penetrates hosts' feet, causing infections after hatching in moist soil.

Enterobius Vermicularis

Pinworm parasite living in the intestine, laying eggs around the anus causing itching.

Schistosoma

Parasitic fluke causing Schistosomiasis or snail fever, transmitted through contaminated water.

Taenia

Parasitic flatworm causing Tapeworm infections, characterized by a long body with repeated units.

Trichinella Spiralis

Worm causing Trichinosis, contracted by eating undercooked pork or bear meat, leading to larvae encysting in skeletal muscles.

Wolbachia

Bacteria infecting arthropods and nematodes, known as a common reproductive parasite.

Batrachochytrium

Fungus genus causing chytridiomycosis in amphibians, leading to population declines.

Halophiles

Archaea thriving in high salt environments, known as "salt-loving" organisms.

Thermophiles

Archaea thriving in hot environments like volcanic springs.

Methanogens

Archaea releasing methane, a greenhouse gas, found in anaerobic environments.

Fermentation

Chemical breakdown by microorganisms producing products like carbon dioxide, alcohol, and lactic acid, used in food production.

Lactic Acid Fermentation

Process breaking down carbohydrates into lactic acid, used in yogurt production from milk.

Alcohol Fermentation

Process converting sugars into alcohol and carbon dioxide, used in brewing and winemaking.