BIOL 2041 Final Exam review

binomial nomenclature

The scientific naming system consisting of two names, developed by Linnaeus.

Genus

The first name in scientific naming, always capitalized.

species

The second name in scientific naming, also known as the specific epithet, always lowercase.

italicized

Both genus and species names are italicized when typed.

underlined separately

If handwritten, both genus and species names must be underlined separately.

abbreviation rule

After first mention, the genus name can be shortened.

example of abbreviation

Escherichia coli can be abbreviated to E. coli after the first mention.

gram-positive bacteria

Bacteria with a thick peptidoglycan layer, appear purple in Gram stain.

gram-negative bacteria

Bacteria with a thin peptidoglycan layer and an outer membrane, appear pink/red in Gram stain.

exotoxins

Toxins produced mainly by gram-positive bacteria, secreted into the surrounding environment.

endotoxin

A component of the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria that can cause an immune response.

active transport

Movement of substances across a membrane against their concentration gradient, requiring ATP.

passive transport

Movement of substances across a membrane down their concentration gradient, requiring no energy.

vesicular transport

Movement of large materials using vesicles, including endocytosis and exocytosis.

isotonic solution

A solution where solute concentration is equal inside and outside the cell, resulting in no net water movement.

hypotonic solution

A solution with a lower solute concentration outside the cell, causing water to enter and cells to swell.

hypertonic solution

A solution with a higher solute concentration outside the cell, causing water to exit and cells to shrink.

glycolysis

The metabolic pathway that converts glucose into pyruvate, generating a net gain of 2 ATP.

Krebs cycle

The cycle that produces energy carriers (NADH and FADH2) and ATP from acetyl-CoA.

oxidative phosphorylation

Process that produces the majority of ATP in aerobic respiration through the electron transport chain.

total ATP from aerobic respiration

Approximately 30-32 ATP are produced from one glucose molecule during aerobic respiration.

psychrophiles

Organisms that thrive in cold temperatures, typically between 0-20°C.

mesophiles

Organisms that thrive at moderate temperatures, generally between 20-45°C.

thermophiles

Organisms that grow best at high temperatures, typically between 45-80°C.

obligate aerobes

Organisms that require oxygen to survive and grow.

obligate anaerobes

Organisms that are killed by oxygen and require an environment without oxygen.

facultative anaerobes

Organisms that can survive with or without oxygen.

wound infection

Localized infection occurring in the skin or underlying tissue after injury.

sepsis

Life-threatening systemic inflammatory response to infection.

bacteremia

Presence of bacteria in the bloodstream.

focal infection

An infection localized to one area that may spread to other parts of the body.

zoonotic disease

Disease transmitted from animals to humans.

acute infection

Rapid onset disease with severe symptoms and short duration.

subacute infection

Disease developing more slowly than acute; lasts longer and moderate severity.

latent infection

Infection where the pathogen remains inactive with no symptoms.

ribosomal RNA (rRNA)

Type of RNA that forms the core of the ribosome's structure and catalyzes protein synthesis.

transfer RNA (tRNA)

Type of RNA that carries amino acids to ribosomes during translation.

DNA replication

The process of making identical copies of DNA before cell division.

transcription

The process of synthesizing RNA from DNA.

translation

The process of synthesizing proteins from mRNA.

Lac operon

Operon that regulates lactose metabolism in prokaryotes.

Trp operon

Operon that regulates tryptophan synthesis in prokaryotes.

plasmogamy

The fusion of cytoplasm from two mating types in fungi.

karyogamy

The fusion of the nuclei after plasmogamy in fungi.

conidiospore

Type of asexual spore produced externally by fungi.

ascospore

Type of sexual spore produced inside an ascus by ascomycete fungi.

microsporidia

Obligate intracellular parasitic fungi infecting animals and humans.

basidiomycetes

Fungi producing basidiospores on a club-shaped structure called a basidium.

zygomycetes

Fungi forming zygospores after the fusion of hyphae.

ascomycetes

Fungi that produce ascospores in sac-like asci during sexual reproduction.

exotoxin

Secreted protein toxin produced mainly by gram-positive bacteria.

endotoxin

LPS component of the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria.

antagonism

Interaction between two microorganisms where one inhibits the growth of the other.

synergism

Interaction where two or more microorganisms work together to enhance growth.

normoflora

Normal microbiota that reside in the human body without causing disease.

antibiotic resistance

Ability of bacteria to resist the effects of an antibiotic.

biofilm

Community of microorganisms encased in a protective matrix attached to a surface.

plasmid

Small, circular piece of DNA found in bacteria that can replicate independently.

pathogen

An organism that causes disease.

symbiosis

Interaction between two different organisms living together, which can be mutualistic or parasitic.

germ theory

Theory stating that specific diseases are caused by specific microorganisms.

aseptic technique

Methods used to prevent contamination by pathogens.

antiseptic

Chemical agent that kills or inhibits the growth of microorganisms on living tissues.

disinfectant

Chemical agent that kills or inhibits the growth of microorganisms on inanimate surfaces.

aseptic conditions

Environment free of all living microorganisms.

selective media

Media that supports the growth of certain types of organisms while inhibiting others.

differential media

Media that distinguishes between different types of microorganisms based on their biological characteristics.

pathogenicity

Ability of an organism to cause disease.

virulence

Degree of pathogenicity of an organism.

incubation period

Initial phase of infection when the pathogen is multiplying but symptoms are not yet apparent.

prodromal period

Early phase of infection characterized by mild, non-specific symptoms.

decline period

Phase of disease where symptoms diminish as the immune response is activated.

convalescence period

Recovery phase of disease after acute symptoms have subsided.

normal microbiota

Microbes that are typically found in or on the body without causing disease.

resident microbiota

Microbes that are permanently found in a specific body location.

transient microbiota

Temporary microbes that are not usually present in the body.

obligate intracellular parasite

Organisms that require a living host cell to reproduce.

vector transmission

Transmission of pathogens through a vector, typically an insect.

bacterial growth phases

Phases include lag, log, stationary, and death phases indicating growth dynamics.

mycoplasma

Bacteria without cell walls, can cause atypical pneumonia.

E. coli

Gram-negative rod bacteria, common gut flora and can cause UTIs.

Borrelia

Spirochete bacteria responsible for Lyme disease.

Salmonella

Bacteria that can cause food poisoning and typhoid fever.

Shigella

Bacteria that can cause dysentery.

Neisseria meningitidis

Bacteria that cause meningitis and septicemia.

Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Bacterial agent causing gonorrhea.

Clostridium tetani

Bacteria causing tetanus.

Clostridium botulinum

Bacteria causing botulism.

Bordetella pertussis

Bacteria responsible for whooping cough.

Corynebacterium diphtheriae

Bacteria causing diphtheria.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Bacteria responsible for tuberculosis.

Streptococcus pyogenes

Bacteria associated with strep throat and other diseases.

Rhinovirus

Virus responsible for the common cold.

influenza virus

Virus causing the flu.

Vibrio cholerae

Bacteria causing cholera.

Helicobacter pylori

Bacteria associated with gastric ulcers.

Hepatitis A

Viral infection leading to acute liver disease.

Hepatitis B

Viral infection that can cause chronic liver disease.

prion

Infectious agent composed solely of protein, causing neurodegenerative diseases.

naat

Nucleic acid amplification test for detecting specific genetic material.