Medical Microbiology Midterm Review

Koch’s postulates

A set of criteria established by Robert Koch to demonstrate the causative relationship between a microbe and a disease.

Germ theory

The theory that microorganisms are the cause of many diseases.

Pasteurization

A process of heating food or liquids to kill harmful microorganisms and extend shelf life.

Vaccination

The administration of a vaccine to help the immune system develop protection from a disease.

Antibiotics

Medications used to treat bacterial infections by killing or inhibiting the growth of bacteria.

Spontaneous generation

The discredited biological theory that living organisms can arise from nonliving matter.

Culture medium

A nutrient solution used to grow microorganisms in a laboratory.

Streak plate method

A technique used to isolate a specific type of microorganism from a mixture by spreading it on a culture medium.

Media

Plural of medium, referring to various types of nutrient solutions used to culture microorganisms.

Pathogenesis

The process by which a disease develops, including the mechanisms by which pathogens cause disease.

Polymerase chain reaction

A molecular technique used to amplify specific DNA sequences, making millions of copies from a small sample.

Microscopy

The technique of using microscopes to view small objects that cannot be seen by the naked eye.

Magnification

The process of enlarging the appearance of an object using optical instruments.

Bright field

A microscopy technique where a brightly lit background is used to observe unstained specimens.

Dark field

A microscopy technique that enhances contrast in unstained samples by only allowing scattered light to enter the microscope.

Colony

A visible mass of microorganisms, derived from a single mother cell, that grows on solid media.

Pure culture

A laboratory culture containing a single species of organism, free from contamination by others.

Mixed culture

A laboratory culture containing two or more species of microorganisms.

Sterilization

The process of eliminating all forms of microbial life, including spores, from an object or environment.

Disinfection

The process of reducing or eliminating pathogenic microorganisms from inanimate objects.

Antisepsis

The practice of applying antimicrobial agents to living tissues to prevent infection.

Inspection

The examination of cultures or samples for signs of contamination or microbial growth.

Aseptic technique

A set of practices used to prevent contamination by pathogens during laboratory procedures.

Autoclave

A device that uses steam under pressure to sterilize equipment and media.

Refraction

The bending of light as it passes from one medium to another, important in microscopy.

Wet mount

A microscopy technique where a sample is placed in a drop of liquid on a slide for observation.

Fixed mount

A preparatory technique where a specimen is attached to a slide and treated to preserve its structure.

Resolving power

The ability of a microscope to distinguish between two closely spaced objects as separate.

Phase contrast

A microscopy technique that enhances contrasts in transparent specimens without staining.

SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope)

A type of electron microscope that provides detailed, three-dimensional images of the surface of a sample.

TEM (Transmission Electron Microscope)

A type of electron microscope that transmits electrons through a thin specimen to form an image.

Identifications

The process of determining the identity of microorganisms present in a specimen.

Incubation

The process of maintaining controlled environmental conditions for microbial growth.

Isolation

The separation of a specific strain of microorganism from a mixed culture.

Inoculation

The introduction of a sample into a culture medium for growth.

Information gathering

The collection of data regarding microorganisms or laboratory processes.

Eyepiece

The part of a microscope through which a person looks to see the magnified image.

Tube

The part of a microscope that connects the eyepiece to the body, allowing light to pass through.

Rotating nosepiece

A component of a microscope that holds multiple objective lenses and allows for switching between them.

High power objective

An objective lens with a high magnification used for detailed observation of specimens.

Low power objective

An objective lens with a lower magnification used for scanning larger areas of the specimen.

Oil immersion

A microscopy technique that involves using oil to increase resolution at high magnifications.

Stage

The platform on a microscope where slides are placed for viewing.

Iris

An adjustable opening in a microscope that controls the amount of light reaching the specimen.

Base

The bottom support structure of a microscope, providing stability and housing the light source.

Light source

The component of a microscope that provides illumination for the specimen being viewed.