Microorganisms and Viruses

Flashcards for studying key vocabulary related to microorganisms and their functions.

Microorganisms

Tiny organisms that require a microscope to be seen, often smaller than 100 micrometers.

Pathogens

Microorganisms that cause disease.

Acellular

Describing entities like viruses that do not have a cellular structure.

Capsid

The protein coat surrounding a virus.

Bacteriophage

A virus that infects bacteria.

Enveloped Virus

A virus consisting of a nucleic acid and a capsid, surrounded by a lipid layer.

Lysis

The process by which a virus exits a host cell, resulting in the bursting of the cell.

Vaccination

A method to teach the immune system to recognize and eliminate a pathogen.

Immunity

The ability of the immune system to recognize and combat pathogens upon re-exposure.

Replication

The process by which viruses reproduce inside a host cell.