Unit 1 microbiology

What are culture media?

Nutrient solutions used to grow microorganisms in laboratory settings, providing essential nutrients and conditions.

Define viruses and state if they are living or non-living.

Viruses are infectious agents with genetic material encased in a protein coat; they are considered non-living as they cannot replicate independently.

What are the first two steps in media preparation?

1. Select the type of culture media based on the microorganism. 2. Weigh the components such as agar, peptones, and salts.

What is the characteristic structure of bacteria's cell wall?

Bacteria's cell wall is primarily composed of peptidoglycan, providing structural support and shape.

List the shapes of bacteria.

Bacteria can be cocci (spherical), bacilli (rod-shaped), and spirilla (spiral).

What did Louis Pasteur contribute to microbiology?

He conducted experiments that disproved spontaneous generation and introduced the process of pasteurization.

What is synchronous culture?

A method of growing microorganisms where all cells divide at the same time, often used to study the cell cycle.

Describe batch culture.

A closed system for growing microorganisms with fixed nutrients, where growth occurs in lag, exponential, stationary, and death phases.

What is a continuous culture?

A method that allows for continuous addition of fresh medium and removal of spent culture, ideal for maintaining steady growth rates.

What are some modern applications of microbiology?

Applications include healthcare (antibiotic development, vaccines), agriculture (biopesticides, biofertilizers), and environmental science (bioremediation).