Microbiology Glossary Flashcards

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering the entire Microbiology Glossary transcript, including terms, descriptions, and temperature ranges.

Antagonism

Mutual opposition or contrary action; the inhibition of one microorganism by another.

Antibody

Glycoprotein substance developed by the body in response to, and interacting specifically with, an antigen; also known as immunoglobulin.

Antigen

A foreign substance that stimulates the formation of antibodies that react specifically with it.

Antisepsis

The prevention or inhibiting of the growth of causative microorganisms.

Attenuation

Dilution or weakening of the virulence of a microorganism; reducing or abolishing pathogenicity.

Autotrophic bacteria

Self-nourishing bacteria.

Bacillus (pl. Bacilli)

Rod-shaped bacteria.

Bacteremia

The presence of bacteria in the blood.

Bacteria

A prokaryotic one-celled microorganism of the Kingdom Monera, existing as free-living organisms or as parasites, multiplying by binary fission and having a large range of biochemical properties.

Bacterial colony

A visible group of bacteria growing on a solid medium, presumably arising from a single microorganism.

Bactericide

An agent that destroys bacteria but not necessarily their spores.

Bacteriology

Science that studies bacteria.

Binary fission

A method of asexual reproduction involving halving of the nucleus and cytoplasm of the cell followed by the development of each half into a new individual cell.

Biological vector

An arthropod vector in which the disease-causing organism multiplies or develops within the arthropod prior to becoming infective.

Bleaches (hypochlorites)

Chlorine-containing compounds.

Capsule

A coating that surrounds some bacterial cells; a loose gel-like structure that, in pathogenic bacteria, helps to protect against phagocytosis.

Chlamydia

A large group of nonmotile, gram-negative intracellular parasites.

Coccus (pl. Cocci)

The type of bacteria that is spherical or round in form.

Commensalism

The symbiotic relationship of two organisms of different species in which one gains some benefit such as protection or nourishment, and the other is not harmed or benefited.

Communicable

A disease that may be transmitted directly or indirectly from one individual to another.

Contamination

The act of introducing pathogens or infectious material into or on an inanimate object.

Diplobacilli

A pair of bacilli, linked end to end.

Diplococci

Spherical bacteria that occur in pairs.

Disinfectant

A chemical or physical agent that destroys or inhibits disease-causing microorganisms.

Disinfection

The destruction or inhibition of disease-causing microorganisms by chemical or physical means.

Drug-fast

Resistant, as in bacteria, to the action of a drug or drugs.

Endemic

Disease that occurs continuously in a particular region.

Endogenous infection

Organism disorder caused by an infectious agent already present in the body.

Endospore

A thick-walled body produced by a bacterium to enable it to survive unfavorable environmental conditions.

Endotoxin

A bacterial toxin that is liberated only when the cell producing it disintegrates.

Epidemic

Disease or condition that is currently in higher than normal numbers in a given community.

Exogenous infection

A form of infection caused by a pathogen or agent not normally present in the body.

Exotoxin

A bacterial toxin produced within a living cell and secreted into its surrounding medium.

Facultative aerobe

A microorganism that prefers an environment devoid of oxygen but has adapted so that it can live and grow in the presence of oxygen.

Facultative anaerobe

An organism that prefers the presence of oxygen but is capable of living and growing in its absence.

Facultative parasite

Prefers dead organic matter as a source of nutrition but can adapt to the use of living organic matter under certain conditions.

Facultative saprophyte

Prefers living organic matter as a source of nutrition but can adapt to the use of dead organic matter under certain conditions.

Focal infection

One in which the organisms are originally confined to one area but enter the blood or lymph vessels and spread to other parts of the body.

Fomite

Any inanimate object that harbors a disease agent and may serve to transmit it.

Fungicide

A substance that kills fungi.

Fungus (pl. fungi)

A group of diverse and widespread unicellular and multicellular organisms, lacking chlorophyll, usually bearing spores and often filamentous.

General (systemic) infection

An infection that involves the whole body.

Germicide

A substance that destroys microorganisms.

Heterotrophic bacteria

Organisms that must obtain their nourishment from complex organic matter.

Hypochlorites (bleaches)

Chlorine-containing compounds.

Infection

The state or condition in which the body or a part of it is invaded by a pathogenic agent that, under favorable conditions, multiplies and produces injurious effects.

Iodophores

A compound containing iodine which is often used as a preoperative skin disinfectant.

Local infection

An infection confined to one area of the body.

Maximum temperature

Temperature above which bacterial growth will not take place.

Mechanical vector

A living organism capable of transmitting infections by carrying the disease agent on its external body parts or surfaces.

Mesophile

Bacteria that prefer moderate temperatures and develop best at temperatures between $25^\bullet\text{C}$ and $40^\bullet\text{C}$.

Microaerophilic

Requiring very little free oxygen; as found with certain bacteria.

Microbiology

Scientific study of microorganisms and their effects on other living organisms.

Minimum temperature

Temperature below which bacterial growth will not take place.

Mixed infection

Infection caused by two or more organisms.

Mutualism

A relationship in which organisms of two different species live in close association to the mutual benefit of each.

Mycology

The branch of science concerned with the study of fungi.

Mycoplasmas

A group of bacteria that lack cell walls and are highly pleomorphic.

Non-symbiotic

Organisms that are free-living; relationships are not required for survival.

Normal flora

The microbial population that lives with the host in a healthy condition.

Opportunist

An organism that exists as part of the normal flora but may become pathogenic under certain conditions.

Optimum temperature

Temperature at which organisms grow best.

Osmotic pressure

Pressure that develops when two solutions of different concentrations are separated by a semipermeable membrane.

Pandemic

An epidemic that has become very widespread or is worldwide.

Parasitism

A symbiotic relationship between two organisms in which one is harmed and the other benefits.

Pathogenicity

The state of producing or being able to produce pathological changes and disease.

Primary infection

The first infection that a host has after a period of health from which a second infection develops.

Prion

A small proteinaceous infectious particle that is believed to be responsible for spongiform encephalopathies in humans and other mammals.

Protozoa

Eucaryotic, animal-like, unicellular organisms; some of which may be pathogenic.

Protozoology

Science that deals with the study of protozoa.

Psychrophile

Bacteria that prefer cold, thriving at temperatures between $0^\bullet\text{C}$ and $25^\bullet\text{C}$.

Rickettsia

A genus of gram-negative, pathogenic, obligate intracellular parasitic bacteria.

Rickettsiology

Area of science that studies Rickettsia.

Sanitation

Process to promote and establish conditions which minimize or eliminate biohazards.

Secondary infection

Infection caused by a different organism than the one causing the primary infection.

Septicemia

Condition characterized by the multiplication of bacteria in the blood.

Spirillum (pl. Spirilla)

A genus of spiral bacteria having a corkscrew shape with a rigid cell wall.

Spirochete

Spiral-shaped bacteria having a flexible cell wall.

Sporadic

A disease which occurs occasionally in a random or isolated manner.

Staphylococcus

A genus of gram-positive, nonmotile, opportunistic bacteria which tend to aggregate in irregular, grape-like clusters.

Sterilization

A process of completely removing or destroying all life forms and their products including endospores.

Streptobacilli

Rod-shaped bacteria occurring in chains.

Streptococci

Spherical-shaped bacteria occurring in chains.

Strict (obligate) aerobe

A microbe that can live only in the presence of free oxygen.

Strict (obligate) anaerobe

A microbe that can survive only in the absence of free oxygen.

Strict (obligate) parasite

An organism that is completely dependent on its living host for survival.

Strict (obligate) saprophyte

An organism that can survive only on dead or decaying organic matter.

Symbiosis

A relationship in which organisms of different species live in close nutritional relationships.

Synergism

The relationship between two or more microorganisms of different species in which they grow better together but can survive alone.

Thermophile

Bacteria that thrive best at high temperatures, between $40^\bullet\text{C}$ and $70^\bullet\text{C}$.

Toxemia

The presence of toxins in the blood.

Toxin

A poisonous substance of plant, animal, bacterial or fungal origin.

True Pathogen

An organism that due to its own virulence is able to produce disease.

Vibrio

A genus of spiral bacteria which are curved or bent rods that resemble commas.

Virucide

An agent destructive to viruses.

Virology

The study of viruses and viral diseases.

Virulence

Relative power of an organism to produce disease.

Virus

An intracellular, infectious parasite capable of replicating only in living cells, containing only one form of nucleic acid.