Chapter 17-Rad-180

Microorganisms

Are microscopic organism that can either be helpful or harmful. If harmful they can cause an infection in a host which can then lead to a disease. 

Infection

Once a microbe is either on the surface or inside the host it is invading, its presence and growth begin to affect the host. This process is essentially what causes an infection.

Pathogens

is a microorganism that causes diseases

Bacteria

Single-celled organisms with a simple inside structure.

Prokaryotes

doesn’t contain a nucleus and membrane bound organelles. 

Eukaryotes

Contains a nucleus

Viruses 

Simple cell organelles. Can’t survive on their own they need to live inside a host. 

Virion

one virus particle that invades a host, inserts their DNA or RNA, and starts producing new viruses.

Fungi

can either be macroscopic (mushrooms) or microscopic (yeasts and mold).D Considered a eukaryotic organism

Dimorphic

can grow in two forms either yeast or mold

protozoa

single-celled organisms that can move on their own. They are not plants or animals.

cysts 

it is something a parasite forms to keep themselves alive while they find a new host to infect. 

Host

it is the living organism that provides an environment where microbes can grow and multiply

vector

a carrier also known as arthropod ex: a mosquito, that helps transfer an infective agent from one host to another

fomite

it is an object that can carry and spread harmful microorganisms which then can cause infection when touched