Microbiology: Protozoa, Bacteria, Microscopic Fungi, and Viruses

Vocabulary flashcards covering the structural traits, examples, and classifications of protozoa, bacteria, microscopic fungi, and viruses based on the LPM8 course materials.

Protozoan (Protozoaire)

A unicellular animal possessing a nucleus surrounded by a nuclear membrane, classifying it as a eukaryote. Species can be harmless (such as paramecium) or pathogenic (such as dysenteric amoeba, trypanosome, and hematozoan).

Paramecium (Paramécie)

A harmless (non-pathogenic), unicellular eukaryotic organism found in stagnant water, equipped with a nucleus enclosed by a nuclear membrane, a mouth, digestive and contractile vacuoles, cilia, and cytoplasm.

Amoeba (Amibe)

A unicellular eukaryotic animal whose cytoplasm produces extensions called pseudopods for locomotion and nutrition; it encysts when environmental conditions become unfavorable.

Pseudopods (Pseudopodes)

Cytoplasmic extensions formed by an amoeba that carry out both locomotion and the capture of nutrients.

Amoebic Cysts (Kystes d'amibe)

Dormant, resistant forms of amoeba that can be ingested by humans via contaminated water or soiled food, subsequently transforming into active amoebas in the digestive tract.

Amoebic Dysentery (Dysenterie amibienne)

A disease caused by pathogenic amoebas that multiply in the large intestine, producing symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting.

Bacterium (Bactérie)

A microscopic unicellular organism that reproduces by binary fission (bipartition) and whose genetic material is not delimited by a nuclear membrane, classifying it as a prokaryote.

Bacillus subtilis (Bacille subtil)

A rod-shaped bacterium (forme de bâtonnet) that grows on the surface of an infusion.

Lactic Acid Bacteria (Bactéries lactiques)

A group of bacteria comprising rod-shaped lactobacilli and chain-forming rounded streptococci that ensure the fermentation and transformation of milk into yogurt.

Diplococci (Diplocoques)

Spherical bacteria grouped in pairs of two, an example being pneumococci (pneumocoques) which cause pneumonia.

Streptococci (Streptocoques)

Spherical bacteria organized in linear chains, capable of causing infections such as abscesses and angina.

Staphylococci (Staphylocoques)

Spherical bacteria clustered together in grape-like bunches (en grappe), known to cause infections such as abscesses.

Escherichia coli

A non-pathogenic rod-shaped bacterium (bacille) that resides in the human intestine.

Microscopic Fungi (Champignons microscopiques)

Non-chlorophyllian microscopic plant organisms that require organic and mineral matter for development; classified into unicellular fungi (e.g., yeasts) and filamentous fungi.

Brewer's Yeast (Levure de bière)

A unicellular microscopic fungus composed of spherical or ovoid cells that multiply by budding (bourgeonnement), utilized in industrial fermentation and baking.

Bread Mold (Moisissure de pain)

A microscopic filamentous fungus structured into mycelium and sporangia (sporanges / spore cases).

Penicillium (Pénicille)

A microscopic mold from which the antibiotic penicillin (pénicilline) is extracted and manufactured.

Trichophyton

A filamentous fungus that infects the skin and hair; it is the causative agent of ringworm (teigne), characterized by hair loss.

Virus

An extremely small particle formed by an assembly of molecules (genetic material surrounded by a capsule) lacking cellular organization, distinguishing it from unicellular bacteria.

Obligate Intracellular Parasite (Parasite intracellulaire obligatoire)

A biological entity that only displays biological activity when it successfully penetrates inside a host cell (animal, plant, or bacterium).

Bacteriophages (Bactériophages)

Viruses measuring approximately $200\,\text{nm}$ that specifically infect bacterial cells.

Influenza Virus (Virus de la grippe)

A virus measuring approximately $150\,\text{nm}$ consisting of genetic material enclosed within a protein capsule.

HIV (VIH)

Human immunodeficiency virus, measuring approximately $100\,\text{nm}$, characterized by genetic material contained within a capsule.