MICRO REVIEW

Robert Hooke

Robert Hooke

Reported that living things are composed of little boxes, or ‘cells’.

Anton Von Leuwenhoek

First to observe microbes (1623-1673) and used magnifying lenses to view “Animalcules”.

Semelweiss

Advocated handwashing to prevent transmission of puerperal fever.

Louis Pasteur

Demonstrated that microorganisms are present in the air.

Joseph Lister

Used phenol as a chemical antiseptic to prevent surgical wound infections.

Robert Koch

Discovered that a specific bacterium causes anthrax and formulated Koch’s postulates.

Alexander Fleming

Discovered penicillin, the first antibiotic, by observing Penicillium fungus.

Francesco Redi

Conducted experiments with decaying meat to challenge the idea of spontaneous generation.

Pathogen

Any organism that causes diseases.

Opportunistic Pathogen

Germ that causes illness when the body's defenses are weakened.

Major Elements in Living Things

Hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, and sulfur.

Major Types of Biomolecules

Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.

Ionic Bond

Formed when one atom transfers electrons to another, creating charged ions.

Covalent Bond

Formed when two atoms share electrons.

Gram Stain

A technique to differentiate bacteria based on cell wall composition; uses purple dye for gram-positive and pink for gram-negative.

Simple Stain

A basic staining technique to enhance cell visibility under a microscope.

Differential Stain

Technique that distinguishes between different types of cells based on biochemical properties.

Prokaryotic Cell

Small, lacks internal organization, and has a rigid cell wall.

Eukaryotic Cell

Larger, contains membrane-bound structures, and allows multiple biochemical processes.

Glycolysis

Metabolic pathway converting glucose into pyruvate, producing ATP and NADH.

Krebs Cycle

Oxidizes pyruvic acid, producing NADH, FADH2, ATP, and liberating CO2.

Electron Transport Chain

Series of proteins that produce ATP through chemiosmosis.

Obligate Aerobe

Microorganism that requires oxygen for survival.

Obligate Anaerobe

Organism that thrives in environments without oxygen.

Facultative Anaerobe

Organism that can grow with or without oxygen.

Fermentation

Energy release from organic molecules without oxygen.

Homolactic Fermentation

Type of fermentation producing lactic acid.

Heterolactic Fermentation

Type of fermentation producing multiple products, including lactic acid.

Light Cycle

Light-dependent reactions converting light energy into ATP and NADPH.

Calvin Cycle

Light-independent reactions that synthesize glucose from ATP and NADPH.

Nitrogen Fixation

Process of converting atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms for organisms.

Inoculum

Introduction of microbes into a medium.

Culture Medium

Nutrients prepared for microbial growth.

Biofilm

Microbial communities that adhere to surfaces and protect bacteria.

Halophile

Microorganism that thrives in high-salt environments.

Psychrophile

Organism that thrives in cold environments.

Thermophile

Organism that thrives in high-temperature environments.

Acidophile

Organism that grows in acidic environments.

Optimum Temperature

Temperature at which a bacterium grows most efficiently.

Optimum pH

pH range (typically 6.5-7.5) for most bacterial growth.

Aerotolerant Anaerobes

Organisms that do not require oxygen but can tolerate its presence.

Agar

Complex polysaccharide used as a solidifying agent for culture media.

Complex Media

Nutrient media with variable chemical composition.

Chemically Defined Media

Media with known chemical composition.

Reducing Media

Media used for cultivating anaerobic bacteria.

Capnophile

Microbes that require high CO2 conditions.

Biosafety Levels

Classification of labs based on safety precautions (BSL-1 to BSL-4).

Selective Media

Media that suppresses unwanted microbes while encouraging desired ones.

Differential Media

Media that distinguishes between different microbial colonies.

Colony

Population of cells arising from a single cell or spore.

CFU

Colony-Forming Unit, a measure of viable bacterial or fungal cells.

Streak-Plate Method

Technique used to isolate pure cultures.

Lyophilization

Freeze-drying process for preserving microbes.

Binary Fission

Asexual reproduction method that doubles cell numbers.

Budding

Reproduction where a new organism grows from the parent.

Generation Time

Time required for a cell to divide.

Asepsis

Absence of significant contamination.

Sterilization

Removal and destruction of all microbial life.

Antisepsis

Destruction of harmful microorganisms.

Sepsis

Bacterial contamination.

Aseptic

Area or object free of pathogens.

Degerming

Mechanical removal of microbes from a limited area.

Biocide

Treatment that kills microbes.

Bacteriostatic

Inhibits microbial growth without killing.

Sanitization

Lowering microbial counts to safe levels.

Fungicides

Kill fungi.

Bacteriocides

Kill bacteria.

Virucides

Kill viruses.

Microbial Exponential Death Rate

Rate at which microorganisms die under unfavorable conditions.

Moist Heat Sterilization

Uses moist heat to denature proteins.

Autoclave

Device that uses steam under pressure for sterilization.

Pasteurization

Reduces spoilage organisms and pathogens.

Thermoduric

Organisms that survive pasteurization.

Flaming Loops

Dry heat sterilization technique.

Hot Air Sterilization

Placing items in an oven at high temperatures for sterilization.

Dessication

Process of removing water from an object.

Ionizing Radiation

Uses X-rays and gamma rays to damage DNA.

Nonionizing Radiation

Damages DNA by creating thymine dimers.

Microwaves

Kill microbes by heat, not specifically antimicrobial.

Disk-Diffusion Method

Evaluates efficacy of chemical agents using filter paper disks.

Oligodynamic Action

Ability of small amounts of metals to kill or inhibit microbial growth.

Chemical Food Preservatives

Substances used to prevent spoilage in food.

Antibiotics

Medications used to treat bacterial infections.

Aldehydes

Chemicals that inactivate proteins for preservation.

Bacteriophage Treatments

Viruses that target bacteria for treatment.

Plasma

Fourth state of matter used for microbial destruction.

Dessiccation

dehydrating organisms to prevent metabolism