Microbio: Bacteria and Fungo

Microorganisms

Organisms that can be seen only through a microscope, including bacteria, protozoa, viruses, and fungi.

Pathogen

A microbe capable of causing disease.

Host

The organism being infected by a pathogen.

Pathogenicity

The ability of a microbe to cause disease.

Microbiome

The collection of microbes and their genes that live on and in our bodies.

Endogenous infection

Infection that comes from the person's own bacteria.

Exogenous infection

Infection that comes from external sources, such as other people or the environment.

Prokaryote

A unicellular organism that lacks a true nucleus, characteristic of bacteria.

Gram-positive bacteria

Bacteria with a thick peptidoglycan cell wall that stain purple in Gram staining.

Gram-negative bacteria

Bacteria with a thin peptidoglycan layer and an outer membrane that stain pink in Gram staining.

Peptidoglycan

A strong mesh-like polymer that gives bacterial cell walls rigidity and shape.

Endospore

A highly resistant structure produced by some bacteria for survival in extreme conditions.

Chromosomal DNA

Essential DNA in bacteria that carries housekeeping genes necessary for survival.

Plasmids

Small circular DNA molecules in bacteria that can carry genes for traits like antibiotic resistance.

Mycology

The study of fungi.

Yeast

Unicellular fungi that reproduce by budding or fission.

Filamentous fungi

Multicellular fungi with long thread-like structures called hyphae.

Hyphae

Branching filaments that make up the mycelium of filamentous fungi.

Aspergillus fumigatus

A filamentous fungus that can cause pulmonary infections.

Antifungal targeting

Targeting fungal-specific structures or functions, such as ergosterol.

Ergosterol

A key component of fungal cell membranes, important for antifungal therapy.

Spore

A reproductive structure in filamentous fungi used for survival and reproduction.

Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing

Methods used to determine the effectiveness of antibiotics against specific bacteria.