Microbial Biotechnology

This set of flashcards covers key concepts and terminology related to microbial biotechnology, including the roles and applications of microorganisms in various fields.

Microbial Biotechnology

The use of microorganisms to develop products and processes beneficial to humans, involving applications in cleaning, food production, and pharmaceuticals.

Pseudomonas stutzeri

A soil bacterium used to degrade harmful substances, such as nitrogens and pollutants, and had a role in cleaning historical art covered by protective glue during WWII.

Microorganisms

Tiny living organisms, such as bacteria, archaea, fungi, viruses, protozoa, and algae, typically too small to be seen without a microscope.

Gram stain

A laboratory technique used to classify bacteria based on the characteristics of their cell walls, distinguishing them as gram-positive or gram-negative.

Peptidoglycan

A polymer that makes up the cell wall of bacteria, providing structural support and shape.

Plasmid

A small, circular piece of DNA found in bacteria that can carry genes, often used in genetic engineering and cloning.

Fermentation

A metabolic process that converts sugars to acids, gases, or alcohol in the absence of oxygen, utilized in the production of yogurt, bread, and alcoholic beverages.

Bioprospecting

The exploration of biodiversity for new resources and compounds that can be used in various industries, such as pharmaceuticals.

Lactic acid fermentation

A process where glucose is converted into lactic acid by bacteria, important in the production of yogurt, sour cream, and pickles.

Bacteriocins

Antimicrobial peptides produced by bacteria that inhibit or kill closely related bacterial species, involved in competitive advantage for resources.

Recombinant DNA technology

A method of joining together DNA from different sources to create new genetic combinations that are of value in research, medicine, and agriculture.

Antibiotic resistance

The ability of bacteria to resist the effects of drugs that once killed them or inhibited their growth, often due to overuse or misuse of antibiotics.

Vaccination

The administration of a vaccine to help the immune system develop protection from a disease.

Attenuated vaccine

A vaccine created by reducing the virulence of a pathogen, so it cannot cause disease but still elicits an immune response.

Synthetic biology

An interdisciplinary field that involves designing and constructing new biological parts, devices, and systems, or re-designing existing natural biological systems.

Metagenomics

The study of genetic material recovered directly from environmental samples, providing insight into microbial diversity and community structure.

Bioterrorism

The use of biological agents, such as pathogens, to harm or intimidate civilians for achieving political or social objectives.

Electroporation

A technique to introduce DNA into cells by applying an electrical field to increase the permeability of the cell membrane.

Lux genes

Genes that encode luciferase enzymes, enabling bioluminescence in certain bacteria, used as reporter genes in molecular biology.

Antiviral agents

Medications specifically designed to treat viral infections by inhibiting the development of the virus.

Pathogen

Any microorganism that can cause disease in its host, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites.