Basic Medical Microbiology Lecture 2, Part 1

These flashcards cover the fundamental concepts related to microbiology as introduced in the lecture notes.

Microbiology

The study of organisms too small to be seen with the naked eye, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa.

Microbes

Microscopic organisms including bacteria, archaea, fungi, viruses, and some forms of algae and protozoa.

Biotechnology

The use of living organisms or their systems to develop products, improve processes, or provide services, such as drugs and vaccines.

Genetic engineering

The direct manipulation of an organism's genes using biotechnology.

Prions

Infectious proteins that can cause disease by inducing abnormal folding in normal cellular proteins.

Viruses

A type of non-cellular entity composed of nucleic acid and protein; they can only replicate inside a host cell.

Eukaryotes

Organisms with complex cells that contain a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, including animals, plants, fungi, and protists.

Prokaryotes

Simple, unicellular organisms that do not have a nucleus or membrane-bound organelles; includes bacteria and archaea.

Acellular

Entities that do not consist of cells, such as viruses and prions.

Homeostasis

The ability of an organism to maintain a stable internal environment despite external changes.

Bioremediation

The use of living organisms to remove or neutralize contaminants from the environment.

Microbial dimensions

The range of sizes of microbes, typically measured in micrometers (µm) and nanometers (nm).

Endospores

A resistant structure formed by certain bacteria that allows them to endure unfavorable conditions.

Mycosis

An infection caused by a fungus.

Rod-shaped bacteria

Bacteria that have a cylindrical shape, known as bacilli.

Coccus

Spherical-shaped bacteria.

Helminths

Multicellular parasitic worms that can cause disease in humans, such as tapeworms and roundworms.

Selective permeability

A property of cell membranes that allows certain molecules to pass while blocking others.

Sporulation

The process by which certain microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi, form spores.