Applied Microbiology Lecture Review

A collection of vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts from the Applied Microbiology lecture.

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Gram Stain

A method for classifying bacteria based on the properties of their cell walls.

Prokaryotes

Microorganisms that do not have a membrane-bound nucleus and organelles.

E. coli

Escherichia coli, a common bacterium found in the intestines of humans and animals.

Staphylococcus aureus

A gram-positive bacterium known for forming clusters and associated with skin infections.

Mycolic acid

A waxy component of the cell wall in acid-fast bacteria, affecting their staining properties.

Archaea

A domain of single-celled microorganisms distinct from bacteria, often found in extreme environments.

Methanogens

A group of archaea that produce methane as a metabolic byproduct, typically in anaerobic conditions.

Plasmids

Small, circular DNA molecules found in bacteria and archaea, often carrying antibiotic resistance genes.

Exotoxins

Toxins secreted by bacteria that can cause disease in the host organism.

Endotoxins

Components of the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria that can trigger severe immune responses.

Binary fission

The primary method of reproduction in bacteria, where a single cell divides into two identical cells.

Oligotrophic environments

Areas with low nutrient concentrations where certain microorganisms, like some archaea, thrive.

Acid-fast bacteria

Bacteria that retain stain despite decolorization due to a high lipid content in their cell walls.

Fluid mosaic model

The model describing the structure of cell membranes as flexible and filled with various proteins.

Gradients in transport mechanisms

Concepts explaining how substances move across cell membranes, including diffusion and active transport.

Phagocytosis

The process by which cells engulf and digest foreign particles or microorganisms.