Microbial Growth and Viruses Lecture

This set of flashcards covers vocabulary related to bacterial growth, metabolism, antibiotic resistance, and viral infections as studied in microbiology.

Binary Fission

A method of bacterial reproduction where a single cell divides into two identical daughter cells.

Generation Time

The time it takes for a bacterial population to double in number.

Primary Metabolites

Essential compounds produced during the growth phase of bacteria, such as amino acids and nucleotides.

Secondary Metabolites

Compounds produced during the stationary phase of bacterial growth, often involved in anti-pathogenic functions.

Quorum Sensing

A communication process between bacteria that allows them to detect and respond to population density changes.

F Plasmid

A plasmid that contains genes necessary for the formation of a sex pilus and for bacterial conjugation.

Hfr Cell

A bacterial cell in which the F plasmid has integrated into the bacterial chromosome, allowing the transfer of chromosomal genes during conjugation.

Antibiotic Resistance

The ability of bacteria to survive and grow despite the presence of antibiotic medications that would normally inhibit or kill them.

Narrow-Spectrum Antibiotics

Antibiotics that are effective against a limited range of bacteria.

Broad-Spectrum Antibiotics

Antibiotics that are effective against a wide variety of bacteria.

Transformation

A process of horizontal gene transfer in which bacteria take up naked DNA from their environment.

Transduction

The transfer of bacterial DNA from one bacterium to another by a bacteriophage.

Conjugation

A mechanism of horizontal gene transfer that requires direct contact between two bacteria.

Prokaryotic Cellular Respiration

The process by which prokaryotic cells convert carbohydrates into energy using electron transport chains.

Fermentation

An anaerobic metabolic process that converts sugars into acids, gases, or alcohol. Used by bacteria when oxygen is not present.

Lytic Cycle

The viral reproductive cycle, resulting in the destruction of the host cell and the release of new virions.

Latent Viral Infection

A viral infection that remains dormant within a host cell and can reactivate under certain conditions.

Neuraminidase

An enzyme present on the surface of influenza viruses that helps the virus to release from infected cells.

Hemagglutinin

A glycoprotein found on the surface of viruses that identifies and attaches the virus to host cells.