Microbiology Fundamentals - Eukaryotes, Fungi, Protozoa, and Helminths

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts from a Microbiology lecture.

2 – 3 billion years ago

The first eukaryotic cells appeared this long ago.

perform a specific function

Cells within colonies became specialized to perform this.

Thicker by a factor of 10 and structurally more complex

Eukaryotic flagella structural difference from bacterial flagella.

Glycocalyx

The outermost layer that comes into direct contact with the environment in Eukaryotes.

Chitin or cellulose

Component of the cell wall of fungi providing structural support.

Sterols

The rigidity the cytoplasmic membrane gives to cells that do not have a cell wall is from this structure.

Nucleus

The organelle separated from the cytoplasm by the nuclear envelope.

Nucleolus

Site of RNA synthesis inside the nucleus.

Lysosomes

Organelle responsible for intracellular digestion of food particles.

80S

Eukaryotic ribosome size.

Molds, yeasts

Two forms of microscopic fungi.

Dimorphic

Term describing fungi that can take either yeast or hyphae form depending on growth conditions.

Community-acquired infections, environmental pathogens, hospital-associated infections

Three types of fungal disease in humans are:

From a wide variety of organic substrates

How heterotrophic fungi acquire nutrients.

From the remnants of dead plants and animals in soil or aquatic habitats

Nutrients obtained by saprobic fungi.

Grow on the bodies of living animals or plants

How parasitic fungi obtain nutrients.

air, water, and living things

Spores disseminate through the environment by:

Trophozoite

Term for the motile feeding stage of protozoa.

Cyst

Dormant, resting stage of protozoa when conditions are unfavorable.

cestodes (tapeworms) and nematodes (flukes)

Flatworms include these.

Fertilized egg, larval, and adult stages

Life cycle stages of helminths.

Intermediate host

The host in which the larva develops.

Definitive host

The host where adulthood and mating of helminths occur.

Pinworm or seatworm

Common name for Enterobius vermicularis.