Biomed introduction

These flashcards cover key concepts from the Foundations of Biomedical Science lecture, focusing on UniPASS, lab protocols, microbiology basics, and significant contributors to the field.

What are the three domains of life?

Eubacteria, archaea, eukarya

What is the binomial system of nomenclature?

A system used to name organisms, consisting of the genus name (capitalised) and species name (lowercase), both italicised or underlined

What is the primary role of normal flora?

Maintains health by protecting against harmful bacteria, supporting immune system and aiding digestion

Who developed Koch's postulates?

Robert Koch

What is the estimated percentage of overtly pathogenic microorganisms?

Only about 3%

What is the main difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?

Prokaryotic cells lack a nucleus, while eukaryotic cells contain a nucleus.

What does microbiology study?

The study of small living organisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa.

What is Koch’s postulates used for?

identify the specific, pathogenic microorganism that caused the disease 

What are the three domains of life?

Archaea, Eubacteria, and Eukarya.

What is Archaea?

Specialised single-celled organisms that resemble bacteria

What is Eubacteria?

True bacteria - single-celled microorganisms found everywhere

What does eukarya consist of?

Animals, plants, fungi, protozoa, and algae

What are algae? Name three descriptions

Eukaryotic, photosynthetic organisms found in aquatic environments, which can be unicellular or multicellular.

What are protozoa?

Unicellular eukaryotic organisms that are motile (pseudopodia, flagellum, cilia) and most live in water

What are fungi?

Eukaryotic, non-photosynthetic, cell-walled organisms that include yeasts and moulds

What are bacteria?

Prokaryotic organisms with a peptidoglycan and polysaccharide cell wall

What are viruses?

Acellular infectious agents (instead a protein coat) that require a host cell to replicate

What are the characteristics of mould? State three characteristics

Multicelluar, produces hyphae, sexual and asexual reproduction (spores)

What are the characteristics of yeast

unicellular and sexual reproduction (budding)

Which scientist first described the cell?

Robert Hooke

Which scientist first described bacteria and their shape?

Antoni Van Leeuwehoek

Which doctor first used handwashing to reduce clinical infection?

Ignaz Semmelweis

In 1870, which doctor was the first to use the antiseptics for surgery?

Joseph Lister

Which scientist discovered pasteurisation? And what was it first used for?

Joseph Pasteur
First used to prevent wine from spoiling

List Koch’s postulates (Steps 1-4)

1. the same disease-causing organism must be found in every infection/disease it causes

2. the disease organism should be able to grow isolated in pure culture

3. when the disease organism is injected into a healthy one, it should cause the same disease

4. the organism must be able to be re-isolated from the same infected animal