Glossary - Microbiology for Mortuary Science

Antagonism

Mutual opposition; inhibition of one microorganism by another

Antibody

Glycoprotein substance; developed by body in response to/interacting with, and antigen; AKA immunoglobulin

Antigen

Foreign substance that stimulates formation of anitbodies that react specifically with it

Antisepsis

Prevention/inhibition of growth of pathogenic/causative microrganisms

Attenuation

Dilution/weakening of virulence of microorganism; reduction/abolition of pathogenicity

Autotrophic bacteria

Self-nourishing bacteria

Bacillus/Bacilli

Rod-shaped bacteria

Bacteremia

Presence of bacteria in the blood

Bacteria

Prokaryotic, single-celled microorganism; Kingdom Monera, freeliving organism or parasite; multiplies by binary fission; large range of chemical properties

Bacterial colony

Visible group of bacteria growing on solid medium, arises from single microorganism

Bactericide

Agent which destroys bacteria, but not necessarily their spores

Bacteriology

The study of bacteria

Binary fission

Method of asexual reproduction involving halving of nucleus and cytoplasm of cell → development of each half into new, individual cell

Biological vector

Arthropod vector in which disease-causing organism multiplies or develops within arthropod prior to becoming infective/pathogenic

Bleaches/Hypochlorites

Chlorine-containing compounds

CApseul

Coating surrounding some bacterial cells; losse gel-like structure which, in pathogenic bacteria, helps to protect against phagocytosis

Chlamydia

Large group of nonmotile, gram-negative intracellular parasites

Coccus/Cocci

Spherical/round bacteria

Commensalism

Symbiotic relationship of two microorganisms of different species in which one gains some benefit such as protection or nourishment, and the other is not harmed or benefited at all

Communicable

Disease that may be transmitted directly or indirectly from one individual to another

Contamination

Act of introducing pathogens or infectious material into or onto an inanimate object

diplobacilli

A pair of bacilli, linked end to end (aww)

Diplococci

Spherical bacteria occurring in pairs

Disinfectant

Chemical/physical agent that destroys or inhibits disease-causing microorganisms

Drug-fast

Resistant, as in bacteria, to action of a drug/drugs

Endemic

Disease that occurs continuously in a particular region

Endogenous infection

Organism disorder caused by infectious agent already present in the body

Endospore

Thick-walled body produced by bacterium to enable it to survive unfavorable environmental conditions

Endotoxin

Bacterial toxin that is liberated only when cell producing it disintegrates

Epidemic

Disease or condition that is currently in higher than normal numbers in given community

Exogenous infection

Form of infection caused by pathogen or agent not normally present in body

Exotoxin

Bacterial toxin produced within a living cell and secreted into its surrounding medium

Facultative Aerobe

Preference of environment devoid of oxygen but has adapted so that it can live and grow in presence of oxygen

Facultative anaerobe

Preference for presence of oxygen but is capable of living and growing in its absense

Facultative parasite

Prefers dead organic matter as source of nutrition but can adapt to the use of living organic matter under certain conditions

Facultative saprophyte

Prefers living organic matter as source of nutrition but can adapt to use of dead organic matter under certain conditions

Focal infection

Organisms are originally confined to one area, but enter the blood or lymph vessels and spread to other parts of the body

Fomite

Any inanimate object which harbors a disease agent and may serve to transmit it

Fungicide

Substance that kills fungi

Fungus/Fungi

Group of diverse and widespread unicellular and multicellular organisms, lacking chlorophyll, usually bearing spores and often filamentous

General (systemic) Infection

Infection that involves the whole body

Germicide

Substance that destroys microorganisms

Heterotrophic bacteria

Organisms that must obtain their nourishment from complex organic matter

Infection

State/condition in which body/part of body is invaded by pathogenic agent that, under favorable conditions, multiples and produces injurious effects

Iodophores

Compound containing iodine which is often used as preoperative skin disinfectant

Local infection

Infection confined to one area of body

Maximum temperature

Temp above which bacterial growth will not take place

Mechanical vector

Living organism capable of transmitting infections by carrying the disease agent on its external body parts or surfaces

Mesophile

Bacteria that prefer moderate temperatures and develop best at temperatures between 25 degrees C - 40 degrees C

Microaerophilic

Requiring very little free oxygen; as found with certain bacteria

Microbiology

Study of microorganisms and their effects on other living organisms

Minimum temperature

Temperature below which bacterial growth will not take place

Mixed infection

Infection caused by 2+ organisms

Mutualism

Relationship in which organisms of two different species live in close association to the mutual benefit of each

Mycology

Branch of science concerned with study of fungi