Microbiology Introduction and Bacteria Overview

Flashcards covering introductory microbiology concepts, including historical figures, cell types, microscopy, and disease terminology based on Chapter 1-8 lecture notes.

Incubation Period

The period of time between exposure to a pathogen (like a prion) and the onset of symptoms, which can last 20, 30, or 40 years.

Zoonotic Diseases

Microbial infections that reside in wild animals, birds, or ocean organisms and can potentially infect humans.

Microorganisms

Organisms that perform various ecological roles, such as producing oxygen, but are not responsible for creating smog.

Mushroom

A multicellular organism that belongs to the fungi/yeast family but is generally not considered a microbe.

Pathogen

Any microbe known to infect humans and cause disease.

Prokaryotic cells

Cells characterized by the absence of membrane-bound organelles, such as mitochondria.

Capsids

Protein structures associated with viruses, which may also have envelopes, protein spikes, and DNA or RNA.

Pseudopods

Structures known as 'false feet' used for motility by protozoa.

Diphtheria

A respiratory illness that causes the formation of pseudomembranes in the respiratory tract, potentially leading to suffocation.

Villi

Finger-like projections found in the intestines, which should not be confused with the cilia found in the respiratory tract or fallopian tubes.

Archaea

A group of organisms that differ from bacteria in cellular composition while sharing other general characteristics.

Vaccinations

Preventative treatments usually targeted at viruses (like Measles or Rubella) or toxins (like Tetanus), rather than bacteria.

Malaria

The most common protozoal disease worldwide, for which a vaccine is currently in development but not yet FDA approved.

Recombinant DNA

A technology used for drug production (like insulin and EPO), vaccine development, and modifying the nutritional or transport value of food.

Autoclave

The only method mentioned that can sterilize instruments and surfaces, effectively killing spores and fungal spores.

Disinfectant

Chemical agents like alcohol or bleach that clean surfaces but do not achieve sterilization.

Fluorescence Microscopy

A form of microscopy that uses ultraviolet (UV) light for illumination.

Dark Field Microscopy

Microscopy where visible light is scattered to produce a bright specimen against a dark background.

Total Magnification

The final magnification of a microscope calculated as the power of the ocular lens (typically 10) multiplied by the power of the objective lens (e.g., $10 \times 100 = 1000$).

Oil Immersion

The use of oil to prevent light from scattering and to ensure it enters the objective lens, necessary for viewing at high magnification.

Turbidity

A cloudiness in a liquid culture that indicates the presence of bacterial growth.

Resolution

The ability of a microscope to distinguish two distinct points; for a standard light microscope, this is about $0.2\,\mu\text{m}$.

Parfocal

A characteristic of microscope lenses where focal points are aligned, so the specimen remains in focus when flipping between objective lenses.

Agar

A solidifying agent derived from seaweed used in growth media that boils at $100\, ^\circ\text{C}$ and solidifies at approximately $40\, ^\circ\text{C}$.

Staphylococcus

A bacterial arrangement characterized by cocci (spheres) appearing in random clusters.

Colony

A population of cells growing on a solid media surface that originated from a single parent cell.

Colony Description Factors

The five ways to describe a bacterial colony: form, margins, elevation, size, and color.

Escherichia coli (E. coli)

A bacterium named after the scientist Theodor Escherich and its primary location in the colon.

Cell Theory

The fundamental concept that all living things are composed of cells.

Robert Hooke

The scientist credited with observing the first cell.

Antonie van Leeuwenhoek

The scientist who observed the first microorganisms, which he called 'animalcules'.

Spontaneous Generation

The historical hypothesis that living organisms can arise spontaneously from non-living matter.

Biogenesis

The concept that living cells can only arise from preexisting living cells.

Louis Pasteur

A prominent scientist who proved biogenesis, discovered the mechanism of fermentation, and was highly influential in the 1800s.

Ignaz Semmelweis

The physician who introduced the importance of handwashing in medical practice.

Joseph Lister

The person who first used chemical disinfectants to treat surgical wounds and instruments; the namesake of Listerine.

Koch's Postulates

A sequence of experimental steps used to prove that a specific microbe causes a specific disease.

Edward Jenner

The scientist who pioneered the first vaccination using cowpox to provide immunity against smallpox.

Paul Ehrlich

A scientist who developed 'magic bullets' or chemotherapy agents, including arsenic-based treatments for syphilis.

Alexander Fleming

The microbiologist who discovered penicillin, the first true antibiotic.

Rebecca Lansfield

An influential scientist who classified Streptococcus into different groups or strains, such as Strep A.

Emerging Disease

A new or changing disease that is increasing in incidence or has the potential to increase in the near future (e.g., COVID, Zika, Ebola).

Zika Virus

An emerging disease transmitted by mosquitoes or sexual contact that can cause microcephaly in newborns.