BIOL 223: Topic 10

A set of vocabulary flashcards for reviewing key concepts related to viruses and bacterial infections.

Biofuel

A type of renewable energy derived from biological materials.

Virome

The collection of viruses present in a particular environment or organism.

Obligate intracellular parasites

Organisms that can only multiply within a living host cell.

Antigenic drift

Minor changes in viral antigens due to point mutations.

Antigenic shift

A major change in viral antigens through reassortment of gene segments.

Bacteriophages

Viruses that infect and replicate within bacteria.

RNA viruses

Viruses that have RNA as their genetic material.

DNA viruses

Viruses that have DNA as their genetic material.

SARS-CoV-2

The virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic.

CRISPR

A tool used for precise editing of DNA sequences.

Exotoxins

Toxins secreted by bacteria that can cause damage to the host.

Endotoxins

Toxins that are part of the bacterial cell wall and can trigger severe immune responses.

Botulism

A serious illness caused by the toxin produced by Clostridium botulinum, leading to paralysis.

Zoonotic infections

Diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans.

Neonatal Gonorrheal Ophthalmia

An eye infection in newborns caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

Tetanus

A bacterial infection characterized by muscle spasms.

Folliculitis

Infection of hair follicles, often caused by Staphylococcus aureus.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome

Caused by SARS coronavirus, leading to severe respiratory illness.

Staphylococcus aureus

A common bacterium that can cause skin infections and antibiotic resistance.

Clostridium tetani

The bacterium that causes tetanus through its neurotoxin.

Influenza

A viral infection that affects the respiratory system and can lead to widespread epidemics.

Vaccine efficacy

The ability of a vaccine to provide protection against a disease.

Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT)

Lymphoid tissues associated with mucosal surfaces, important for immune responses.

Pneumocytes

Cells in the alveoli of the lungs important for gas exchange.

Toxoid vaccine

A vaccine that uses a toxin made harmless to provide immunity.

Pyogenic infections

Infections that produce pus, often caused by bacteria.

Antibiotic resistance

The ability of bacteria to resist the effects of drugs that once killed them.

Endospores

A resistant structure formed by some bacteria to withstand extreme conditions.

Doxycycline

An antibiotic used to treat various bacterial infections.

Intravenous therapy

Delivering medication directly into a vein for quick absorption.

Hyperbaric chamber

A treatment method that uses increased atmospheric pressure to facilitate healing.

Supportive care

Treatment aimed at relieving symptoms without addressing the underlying cause.

Pathophysiology

The study of how disease processes affect the function of the body.

Genomic epidemiology

The study of the genetic basis of disease outbreaks.