Introduction to Microbiology and the History of Science

Practice flashcards covering the history of microbiology, key scientists, theories of life and disease, and microscopic concepts.

Microbiology

The study of microorganisms, tiny organisms that live around us and inside our body.

Microorganism

Very small organisms that you cannot see with the naked eye, but with a microscope.

Zacharias Janssen (1590)

Inventor of the first compound microscope using an objective and eyepiece inside a sliding tube.

Robert Hooke (1665)

Discovered the "cell" in cork and published Micrographia, a book focused on microscopic observations.

Francesco Redi (1668)

Proved through experiments that organisms come from other organisms.

Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek (1674)

The "Father of Microbiology" who was the first to see living microorganisms, which he called "Animacules."

Edward Jenner (1796)

Created the first vaccine, which was for smallpox.

Louis Pasteur (1861)

Disproved spontaneous generation (Biogenesis) and was the founder of Pasteurization.

Robert Koch (1880)

Established Germ Theory and Koch's Postulates to identify the microorganisms causing disease.

Koch's Postulates

A set of four criteria: identifying the microbe in diseased organisms, isolating it in pure culture, causing disease in a healthy host, and re-isolating the same microbe.

Elie Metchnikoff

Discovered phagocytosis, a process of immune defense where cells are capable of engulfing particles.

Semmelweis and Lister

Scientists who introduced handwashing and antiseptic surgery practices in the late 1800s.

Antiseptic

A substance that prevents or slows the growth of microorganisms on living tissues.

Paul Ehrlich

Proposed the "Magic Bullet" drug therapy concept in the 1900s.

Alexander Fleming (1929)

Discovered Penicillin, the first antibiotic.

Bacteriology

The study of bacteria, which are single-celled prokaryotes that have no true nucleus.

Virology

The study of viruses, which are submicroscopic agents made of genetic material (DNA or RNA) inside a protein coat.

Mycology

The study of fungi, which are eukaryotes that absorb nutrients from their environment and are not photosynthetic.

Phycology

The study of algae, which are photosynthetic eukaryotes that live mostly in aquatic environments.

Protozoology

The study of protozoa, single-celled animal-like microorganisms found in water and land that ingest smaller organisms.

Big Bang Theory

The theory suggesting life developed from force produced by the collision and explosion of celestial bodies.

Divine Creation Theory

The theory that a divine being created the universe and all living organisms, often based on religious beliefs.

Spontaneous Generation (Abiogenesis)

The idea that living organisms originated from non-living matter.

Biogenesis

The theory that life can only come from pre-existing living organisms.

Chemical Evolution Theory

The theory that life began through chemical reactions on early Earth, where inorganic substances formed organic molecules like amino acids and proteins.

Theurgical Theory of Disease

The suggestion that diseases are caused by the anger of divine spirits as punishment for human sins.

Miasmatic Theory of Disease

The theory that disease comes from harmful vapors or environmental factors like soil, air, water, seasons, and celestial bodies.

Body Humors

As associated with Hippocrates, the balance of four fluids: Blood, Phlegm, Yellow Bile, and Black Bile.

Pore Theory

Proposes that disease occurs due to abnormal size or arrangement of body pores.

Germ Theory

The theory that explains diseases are caused by microorganisms (germs).

Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM)

Developed by Max Knoll and Ernst Ruska in 1931, it uses a beam of electrons to examine specimens.

Course Adjustment Knob

Microscope part that quickly moves the stage up or down for initial focusing.

Fine Adjustment Knob

Microscope part that makes small, precise adjustments for clear focus.

Magnification

The process of making an object appear larger.

Total Magnification

Calculated using the formula $ext{ocular lens} imes ext{objective lens}$.

Resolution

The ability to see two close objects as separate.

Numerical Aperture

Measures how well a lens gathers light, affecting the clarity and resolution of the image.

Pathogenic

A term describing harmful microorganisms, called pathogens, that cause infection when they enter the body.

Flora

Commonly used term for helpful microbes in our intestine that aid in digestion and maintain balance.

Binomial Nomenclature

The system for naming organisms developed by Carl Linnaeus in 1735, consisting of a Genus and specific epithet.

Taxonomy

The science of classification invented by Carl Linnaeus.

The Three Domain System

A classification system proposed by Carl Woese in 1978/1990 based on molecular and cellular characteristics, consisting of Eubacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya.

Eubacteria

Bacteria that possess cell walls containing peptidoglycan.

Peptidoglycan

A molecular structure consisting of Nacetyglucosamine, N-acetylmuramic acid, tetrapeptide, side chain, and murein.

Archaea

Prokaryotes that do not have peptidoglycan cell walls.