Microbiology: The Chemistry of Life and Beyond – Vocabulary Flashcards

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering elemental chemistry, molecular biology, historical milestones, modern techniques, and applied aspects of microbiology discussed in the lecture notes.

CHON (Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen)

The four essential elements that make up ~96 % of living matter and form the chemical foundation of microbial life.

Atom

The basic unit of matter composed of protons, neutrons, and electrons.

Proton

Positively charged sub-atomic particle located in the nucleus that defines an element’s atomic number.

Neutron

Electrically neutral particle in the atomic nucleus that contributes to atomic mass.

Electron

Negatively charged particle that orbits the nucleus and participates in chemical bonding.

Matter

Anything that has mass and occupies space; exists as solid, liquid, or gas.

Covalent Bond

Strong chemical bond formed when atoms share pairs of electrons, creating stable biological molecules.

Ionic Bond

Bond formed through electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions.

Organic Molecule

Carbon-based compound with covalent bonds; often complex and able to form macromolecules.

Inorganic Molecule

Compound not primarily based on carbon; generally simpler and may have ionic or covalent bonds.

Macromolecule

Large organic molecule such as proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, or lipids essential for life.

Cell

The basic structural and functional unit of life capable of independent existence.

Tissue & Organ

Groups of specialized cells (tissues) organized into higher-order functional structures (organs) within organisms.

Antoni van Leeuwenhoek

17th-century pioneer who used simple microscopes to observe and describe the first microorganisms.

Louis Pasteur

19th-century microbiologist who disproved spontaneous generation and advanced the germ theory of disease.

Robert Koch

Scientist who developed pure-culture techniques and linked specific bacteria to specific diseases.

Golden Age of Microbiology

Period (~1875–1918) marked by rapid discoveries about microbial pathogens and infectious diseases.

Pure Culture Method

Laboratory technique for isolating and growing a single microbial species in sterile conditions.

Antibiotic Discovery

Identification of antimicrobial compounds that revolutionized treatment of bacterial infections.

Advanced Microscopy

Enhanced imaging technologies that reveal detailed structures of microbes beyond light microscopy limits.

DNA Sequencing (Molecular Biology)

Technique for determining the nucleotide order of DNA, uncovering vast microbial diversity.

Metagenomics

Analysis of genetic material directly from environmental samples to study unculturable microbes.

Microbiome Research

Investigation of microbial communities in hosts or environments and their influence on health and ecology.

CRISPR Technology

Genome-editing tool enabling precise modification of microbial (and other) DNA sequences.

Bioremediation

Use of microbes to break down or detoxify pollutants in soil and water.

Synthetic Biology

Engineering of organisms with new or enhanced functions to produce medicines, fuels, or materials.

Microbiome Therapeutics

Medical treatments that target or modify gut or other microbiomes to improve health outcomes.

Microbial Climate Research

Study of how microbes affect global carbon and nitrogen cycles and influence greenhouse gas dynamics.