Microbiology Lecture Notes - Chapters 1 & 4

Flashcards covering the definition of microbiology, diversity and characteristics of microorganisms, taxonomic classification, significant historical pandemics, and key scientific figures from the Golden and Modern ages of microbiology.

Microorganisms

Microscopic organisms that cannot be seen by the naked eye.

Microbe

Organism or infectious agent smaller than $10\,\mu \text{m}$ in diameter.

Bacteriology

The field of study focused on Bacteria.

Mycology

The field of study focused on Fungi.

Phycology

The field of study focused on Alga/Algae.

Proteonomics

The field of study focused on Prions.

Bacteria

Unicellular prokaryotes with Peptidoglycan cell walls (if present), replicating via binary fission and moving via flagella or type 4 pili.

Archaea

Unicellular prokaryotes with Pseudomurein cell walls that live in extreme environments, such as methanogens, extreme halophiles, and extreme thermophiles.

Protozoa

Unicellular eukaryotes that can exist as free-living trophozoites or protective cyst forms; they move via cilia, pseudopods, or flagella.

Fungi

Eukaryotes with chitin cell walls; includes multicellular molds/mushrooms (composed of mycelia/hyphae) and unicellular yeasts.

Viruses

Acellular agents consisting of a DNA or RNA core (SS or DS) surrounded by a protein coat and sometimes a lipid envelope; they only replicate in a living host cell.

Algae

Unicellular or multicellular eukaryotes with cellulose cell walls that use photosynthesis to produce oxygen and organic compounds.

Helminthes

Multicellular parasitic animals including three classes: Nematodes (round worms), Trematodes (flukes), and Cestodes (tapeworms).

Pathogens

Microorganisms that cause disease and harm the host; they account for about 10% of all bacteria.

Opportunists

Normal microbiome members that can cause disease if given the opportunity.

Bioremediation

An environmental beneficial role of microorganisms where they are used to clean up pollutants.

Nosocomial Infections

Hospital Acquired (HA) Infections that can increase morbidity and mortality in patients.

Emerging Diseases

Diseases making a "debut" in a particular area, such as Lyme’s Disease, Ebola, and E. coli O157:H7.

Reemerging Disease

Microorganisms making a "comeback" due to travel, laxity in vaccination, or aging populations, such as Whooping Cough, Malaria, and Polio.

Taxonomy

The classification of an organism determined by rRNA genetics, morphological characteristics, and physiological characteristics.

Prokaryote

Derived from Greek for "prenucleus"; features include one circular chromosome not in a membrane, no histones, and no membranous organelles.

Eukaryote

Derived from Greek for "true nucleus"; features include paired chromosomes in a nuclear membrane, histones, and membranous organelles.

Taxon

Each category in the classification system developed by Carolus Linnaeus (plural: Taxa).

Binomial nomenclature

The scientific name of an organism consisting of the Genus and species, established by Carolus Linnaeus in 1735.

3 Domain System

Classification system established by Carl Woese and George Fox in 1977 based on differences in rRNA; consists of Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya.

Yersinia Pestis

The etiological agent of the Black Death, spread via the rat flea vector.

Robert Hooke

The scientist who observed non-living cork cells in 1665.

Anton Leeuwenhoek

In 1673, developed a microscope with $300\times$ magnification and observed living cells called "animicules."

Spontaneous Generation

The once popular belief that living things can arise from non-living things.

Biogenesis Theory

Proposed by Rudolf Virchow in 1858, stating that living things can only arise from other living things.

Louis Pasteur

Scientist who disproved spontaneous generation using swan-necked flask experiments and developed pasteurization.

Cell Theory

Developed by Mathias Schleiden and Theodor Schwann in 1858; states the cell is the smallest unit of life, all living things are composed of cells, and cells arise from preexisting cells.

Germ Theory of Disease

The theory that specific organisms cause specific diseases.

Robert Koch

Developed pure culture techniques and identifying Bacillus anthracis and Mycobacterium tuberculosis as etiological agents.

Endospores

Resistant bacterial structures characteristically difficult to destroy, discovered by John Tyndall.

Edward Jenner

In 1796, discovered that inoculating a host with cowpox (variola minor) protected against smallpox (variola major).

Ignaz Semmelweiss

Demonstrated that handwashing controls puerpural sepsis (Streptococcus pyogenes) in maternity wards.

John Lister

Developed aseptic surgical techniques and wound care using Phenol/Carbolic acid.

John Snow

The Father of Epidemiology who mapped a Cholera outbreak in London in 1854.

Paul Ehrlich

Searched for the "Magic Bullet" and discovered Salvarsan (Compound 606) to treat syphilis.

Alexander Fleming

Credited with the accidental discovery of Penicillin and the action of lysozyme in bodily fluids.

Antibiotics

Natural substances produced by living organisms like Fungi (Penicillium notatum) or soil bacteria (Streptomyces sp).

Synthetic agents

Antimicrobials that are 100% manufactured, such as Sulfa drugs (Prontosil).