Microorganisms in Food and Bacteria Characteristics

Flashcards about types of microbes in food, bacteria characteristics and gram staining.

What are the three major groups of microorganisms found in food?

Bacteria, Yeast, and Moulds

Which group of microorganisms in food requires a more powerful microscope that enlarges 1,000 times to be seen clearly?

Bacteria

Besides the microbiological quality of raw food, what other conditions influence microorganisms in food?

Sanitary conditions, packaging, handling, and storage

To what family do one-third of bacteria causing food poisoning belong?

Enterobacteriaceae

What do yeasts primarily need to survive?

Sugars and starches

What substances do yeasts produce from sugars and starches?

Carbon dioxide and alcohol

What is the most common method of reproduction for yeasts?

Budding

Under what conditions can yeasts grow that bacteria cannot, leading to spoilage?

High salt or sugar content

What is the filamentous branching growth formed by molds called?

Mycelium

What are the individual filaments that compose the mycelium of molds called?

Hyphae

What are the two types of cells that make up molds?

Vegetative and reproductive cells

What are the small 'seed' cells produced by reproductive cells in molds called?

Spores

What is the typical diameter range of bacteria?

0.2 to 2.0 μm

Name the five basic shapes of bacteria.

Coccus, Bacillus, Spirillum, Vibrio, Spirochetes

What term describes cocci that remain in pairs after division?

Diplococci

What is the outermost layer of a bacteria called that enhances sticking features and disease-causing ability?

Capsule

Which bacterial appendage aids in jerky movement, attachment and biofilm formation?

Fimbriae

Of what protein are Pilli made?

Pillin

What is the substance secreted outside the cell wall of prokaryotic cells called?

Glycocalyx

Who developed the Gram staining procedure in 1884?

Hans Christian Gram