BIOL256: Microbiology for Allied Health - Week 3 Readings

These flashcards cover key terminology and concepts from microbiology as outlined in the Week 3 readings.

Inoculation

The process of introducing microorganisms into a culture medium.

Medium

A nutrient-rich substance used to support the growth of microorganisms.

Culture

The cultivation of microorganisms in a specific medium.

Incubation

The process of maintaining controlled environmental conditions for microbial growth.

Pure Culture

A culture containing a single type of microorganism.

Mixed Culture

A culture containing more than one type of microorganism.

Contaminated Culture

A culture that contains unwanted microorganisms.

Agar

A gelatinous substance used as a solidifying agent in culture media.

Complex Media

Media that contain a variety of nutrients and do not have a defined chemical composition.

Enriched Media

Media that contain additional nutrients to support the growth of fastidious organisms.

Growth Factor

A substance that is essential for the growth of certain microorganisms.

Fastidious

Microorganisms that have complex nutritional requirements.

Selective Media

Media that inhibits the growth of some microorganisms while allowing others to grow.

Differential Media

Media that contains indicators that allow for the differentiation between different organisms.

Reducing Media

Media that chemically removes oxygen to allow for the growth of anaerobic microorganisms.

Carbohydrate Fermentation Media

Media that support the fermentation of carbohydrates by microorganisms.

Bacterial Colony

A visible mass of microorganisms, typically derived from a single cell.

Streak Plate Method

A technique used to isolate a pure bacterial culture by spreading it over the surface of an agar medium.

Five I's

Inoculation, Incubation, Isolation, Inspection, Identification, the steps used in microbiological procedures.

MacConkey Agar

A selective and differential culture medium for bacteria.

Durham Tubes

Small test tubes used to capture gas produced during fermentation.

Spread Plate Method

A technique used to evenly distribute a microbial sample on an agar surface.

Tools of a Microbiology Lab

Instruments and equipment used in microbiological experiments and studies.

Size ranges of Microbes

The typical dimensions for viruses, bacteria, and protists.

Visualization of Microbes

Methods used to observe microorganisms under a microscope.

Unit of Measurement for Microbes

Commonly micrometers (μm) or nanometers (nm) are used to express microbial size.