MCB 220 - General Microbiology II Flashcards

These vocabulary flashcards provide definitions for key immunology, virology, and mycology terms, as well as a list of infectious diseases and their causal organisms as found in the MCB 220 lecture notes.

Immunology

The branch of biomedical science that studies the immune system and how the body defends itself against pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites.

Immune System

A system consisting of organs, tissues, cells, and molecules that protect the body from infections and foreign substances.

Innate Immunity

A natural, non-specific defense mechanism that serves as the first line of defense; it includes skin, mucous membranes, phagocytes, inflammation, and fever.

Adaptive (Acquired) Immunity

A specific defense mechanism that develops after exposure to antigens; it includes humoral immunity ($B$ lymphocytes and antibodies) and cell-mediated immunity ($T$ lymphocytes).

Antigens

Substances capable of stimulating an immune response, usually proteins or polysaccharides found on pathogens.

Antibodies (Immunoglobulins)

Proteins produced by $B$-cells that specifically bind to antigens; classes include IgG, IgA, IgM, IgE, and IgD.

B lymphocytes

Immune cells that produce antibodies.

T lymphocytes

Immune cells that regulate immune responses and destroy infected cells.

Macrophages

Cells involved in phagocytosis and antigen presentation.

Neutrophils

Immune cells that serve as the first responders to infection.

Natural Killer (NK) cells

Cells that destroy virus-infected and tumor cells.

Primary lymphoid organs

Organs including the bone marrow and thymus.

Secondary lymphoid organs

Organs including the spleen, lymph nodes, and tonsils.

Cytokines

Chemical messengers that regulate immune responses, such as interleukins and interferons.

Hypersensitivity Reactions

Exaggerated immune responses classified into four types: Type $I$ (Immediate), Type $II$ (Cytotoxic), Type $III$ (Immune complex), and Type $IV$ (Delayed).

Vaccination

The administration of antigenic material to stimulate protective immunity against diseases.

Virology

The study of viruses and viral diseases.

Viruses

Obligate intracellular parasites composed of nucleic acid (RNA or DNA) enclosed in a protein coat (capsid) and sometimes bounded by a lipid membrane envelope.

Capsid

The protein coat that protects the genetic material of a virus.

Envelope

A lipid membrane present in some viruses.

Spikes

Surface proteins used by viruses for attachment to host cells.

Bacteriophage (Phage)

A virus that specifically infects bacteria.

Viral Replication Cycle

The process of viral reproduction consisting of: $1$. Attachment, $2$. Penetration, $3$. Uncoating, $4$. Replication, $5$. Assembly, and $6$. Release.

Mycology

The study of fungi, including yeasts, molds, and mushrooms.

Fungi

Eukaryotic organisms that possess chitin cell walls, lack chlorophyll, and obtain nutrients by absorption.

Yeasts

Unicellular fungi, such as Candida species.

Molds

Multicellular filamentous fungi, such as Aspergillus species.

Dimorphic Fungi

Fungi that exist as molds in the environment and yeasts in tissues, such as Histoplasma capsulatum.

Hyphae

The thread-like filaments that make up the structure of fungi.

Mycelium

A mass of hyphae.

Mycoses

Fungal diseases, which can be superficial, cutaneous, subcutaneous, systemic, or opportunistic.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis

The bacterium that is the causal organism of Tuberculosis.

Salmonella typhi

The bacterium that is the causal organism of Typhoid fever.

Vibrio cholerae

The bacterium that is the causal organism of Cholera.

Streptococcus pneumoniae

The bacterium that is the causal organism of Pneumonia.

Neisseria gonorrhoeae

The bacterium that is the causal organism of Gonorrhea.

Treponema pallidum

The bacterium that is the causal organism of Syphilis.

Clostridium tetani

The bacterium that is the causal organism of Tetanus.

Corynebacterium diphtheriae

The bacterium that is the causal organism of Diphtheria.

Bordetella pertussis

The bacterium that is the causal organism of Whooping cough (Pertussis).

Mycobacterium leprae

The bacterium that is the causal organism of Leprosy.

Plasmodium species

The protozoan parasite that is the causal organism of Malaria.

Entamoeba histolytica

The protozoan parasite that is the causal organism of Amoebiasis.

Trypanosoma brucei

The protozoan parasite that is the causal organism of African sleeping sickness.

Giardia lamblia

The protozoan parasite that is the causal organism of Giardiasis.

Trichophyton species

The fungus that is the causal organism of Ringworm (Tinea).

Candida albicans

The fungus that is the causal organism of Candidiasis.

Aspergillus fumigatus

The fungus that is the causal organism of Aspergillosis.

Histoplasma capsulatum

The fungus that is the causal organism of Histoplasmosis.

SARS-COV-2

The virus that is the causal organism of COVID-19.

Varicella-zoster virus

The virus that is the causal organism of Chickenpox.

Poliovirus

The virus that is the causal organism of Poliomyelitis.