Microbiology: Unit 1-3 Vocabulary Review (Video Notes)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from Units 1-3 as seen in the lecture notes.

normal microbiota

Microbes that normally reside on or in the human body; they can help protect against pathogens and influence health.

aseptic technique

Methods used to prevent contamination and the spread of microorganisms during handling and lab work.

germ

A rapidly growing cell that is actively metabolizing and dividing (a microorganism in active growth).

pathogenic

Disease-causing; capable of producing disease.

microbial fermentation

Process by which bacteria, molds, or yeasts convert sugars into alcohol, gases, and acids.

Hippocrates

Father of Western medicine; proposed that disease arises from the patient or their environment.

taxonomy

Classification, description, identification, and naming of living organisms.

strains

Subtypes or variants within one species of microorganisms.

acellular microbes

Microorganisms not composed of cells, such as viruses.

microbial ecology

Relationship between microbes and their environment, including nutrient cycles.

antibiotics

Chemicals produced by fungi that inhibit or kill bacteria.

quinine

A compound from tree bark historically used to treat malaria; referenced as an antimicrobial example.

Ehrlich

Scientist associated with synthetic antimicrobial therapies; concept of a 'magic bullet' against disease.

microorganisms

Tiny living organisms, including bacteria, fungi, protozoa, algae, and viruses, with diverse roles in disease, fermentation, decomposition, and production.

Bacteria

Prokaryotic microbes with cell walls that typically contain peptidoglycan.

peptidoglycan

Polymer of sugars and amino acids forming the bacterial cell wall.

Archaea

Prokaryotic domain distinct from bacteria, often with unique cell wall components and extreme habitats.

pseudopeptidoglycan

Cell wall component found in some Archaea that is similar to peptidoglycan but chemically distinct.

fungi

Eukaryotic organisms with chitin cell walls that decompose organic material and include molds, yeasts, and mushrooms; some produce antibiotics.

chitin

Structural polysaccharide in fungal cell walls.

protozoa

Eukaryotic, usually unicellular microorganisms; can be motile and diverse in lifestyle.

binomial nomenclature

System of naming species with a genus name and a specific epithet (e.g., Escherichia coli).

genus

Taxonomic category ranking above species; the first part of a binomial name.

specific epithet

Second part of a binomial name, identifying the species within a genus.

Escherichia coli

A well-known species used as an example in binomial nomenclature.

3 Domains

Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya.

Archaea

Domain of prokaryotes often found in extreme environments; distinct from bacteria.

Bacteria

Domain of prokaryotes with peptidoglycan-containing cell walls; diverse in form and habitat.

methanogens

Archaea that produce methane as a metabolic byproduct.

extreme halophiles

Archaea that thrive in extremely salty environments.

thermophiles

Archaea that thrive at high temperatures.

molds

Multicellular fungi forming hyphae and producing spores.

mushrooms

Macrofungal fruiting bodies of some fungi.

yeasts

Unicellular fungi used in fermentation and baking.

mycology

The study of fungi.

protists

Eukaryotic microorganisms; a diverse group often treated as a catch-all category.

algae

Eukaryotic, photosynthetic organisms with cellulose cell walls.

helminths

Parasitic worms (flatworms and roundworms) that can act as disease vectors.

viruses

Acellular infectious particles with nucleic acid genome and protein coat that require a host to replicate.

Hooke

Early contributor to cell theory; observed cells in cork and other materials.

cell theory

Principle that all living things are composed of cells.

Leeuwenhoek

Pioneer of the modern microscope; described live microorganisms.

spontaneous generation

Hypothesis that living organisms arise from nonliving matter; later disproven.

biogenesis

Idea that living organisms arise from preexisting life.

Redi

Scientist whose experiments challenged spontaneous generation using meat and maggots.

Needham

Experiment that initially supported spontaneous generation; later critique addressed sterility issues.

Pasteur

Scientist who disproved spontaneous generation and supported biogenesis; conducted swan-neck flask experiments.

Koch

Germ theory advocate; developed postulates linking microbes to disease.

Jenner

Developer of vaccination using cowpox to protect against smallpox.