Microbiology: Fungi, Viruses, and Infectious Agents

This flashcard set covers key terms and concepts related to fungi, viruses, and other infectious agents, based on the lecture material.

Fungi

A kingdom of organisms characterized by the absence of chlorophyll, made up of eukaryotic cells, that include yeasts, molds, and mushrooms.

Asexual Reproduction

A type of reproduction that involves only one parent organism and produces offspring that are genetically identical to the parent.

Sexual Reproduction

A type of reproduction that involves the combination of genetic material from two parent organisms, resulting in offspring that are genetically distinct.

Lichens

Symbiotic associations between fungi and algae or cyanobacteria, known for their ability to survive in extreme environments.

Protozoa

A diverse group of single-celled eukaryotic organisms that can be free-living or parasitic.

Parasitic Helminths

Multicellular parasites, often referred to as worms, that live in or on a host organism and can cause harmful infections.

Arthropod Vector

An organism, typically an invertebrate such as an insect or arachnid, that transmits pathogens from one host to another.

Obligatory Intracellular Parasites

Organisms, such as viruses, that can only replicate within the living cells of a host.

Virion

A complete, infectious virus particle that consists of nucleic acid and a protein coat.

Capsid

The protein coat that encases and protects the nucleic acid of a virus.

Prophage

Viral DNA that has integrated into the host cell's DNA during the lysogenic cycle.

Oncogene

A gene that has the potential to cause cancer by transforming normal cells into cancerous cells.

Viroid

An infectious agent composed solely of RNA that causes disease in plants.

Prion

Infectious proteins that can cause neurodegenerative diseases in mammals by inducing abnormal folding of normal proteins.

Lytic Cycle

The process by which a bacteriophage invades a bacterial cell, replicates, and causes the host cell to burst, releasing new phages.

Lysogenic Cycle

A viral replication cycle in which the viral DNA is incorporated into the host cell's DNA and may remain dormant.

Bacteriophage

A type of virus that specifically infects bacteria, often used in research and therapy.

Epidemiology

The study of how disease spreads, the factors that influence its spread, and the methods for controlling outbreaks.