H&D Revision

Microorganisms

The agents of contaminating and infection

Aseptic Technique

Refers to a procedure that is performed under sterile conditions.

Aim of Aseptic Technique

To prevent pathongenic microorganisms from being introduced to susceptible sites including hands, surfaces and/or equipment.

Sterilisation

Is the complete destruction and killing of all microbesincluding bacterial spores and can be achieved by mechanical means, heat chemicals or radiation.

Disinfection

The process that eliminates most or all microorganisms, with the exception of endospores and is applied to inanimate objects.

Disinfectants - Antisepsis

The process of destroying or inhibiting the growth of microorganisms on the living tissue.

Antiseptics

Chemicals used to kill microorganisms on the surface of skin and mucous membranes.

Bactericide

An agent that kills bacteria. Most do not kill endospores.

Bacteriostatic

An agent that inhibits the growth of bacteria, but does not necessarily kill them.

Germicide

An agent that kills certain microorganisms.

Vinicide

An agent that inactivates viruses.

Fungicide

An agent that kills fungi.

Sporicide

An agent that kills bacterial endospores or fungal spores.

Pathogens

An infectious agent (germ) that causes disease or illness in an host. The host is the organism in which a parasite or pathogen does damage.

Different types of pathogens

Parasites, Protozoa, Fungi, Prokaryote, Virus and Prion

Virus

A disease-causing agent that is considered non-living and must have a host to multiply.

Characteristics of a Virus

Not made of cells, two parts ( a capsid; a protein coat and a nucleic acid , DNA or RNA) , No organelles or cytoplasm, extremely tiny.

Fungi

Multicellular organisms that feed f o organic matter

Characteristics of Fungi

Eukaryotes (cells have nucleus), most are multicellular, some are single celled, spores help fungi reproduce.

Prions

Misfolded proteins which characterise several fatal neurodegenerative diseases

Characteristics of Prion

Non living

Protein based

Virus

Simple microscopic organisms which are usually composed of one cell.

Characteristics of Virus

Prokaryotics

Unicellular

Small circular DNA

Protozoa

Tiny, on-celled organisms that live in water, or as parasites.

Characteristics of Protozoa

Tiny, on-celled organisms that live in water, or as parasites.

Characteristics of Protozoa

Simple Eukaryote

Most are unicellular