General Microbiology EXAM 1

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts from the General Microbiology course to aid in exam preparation.

Prokaryotes

Microorganisms that include bacteria and archaea.

Eukaryotes

Microorganisms that include yeast and fungi.

Viruses

Biological entities that are not capable of self-replication.

Antimicrobial Resistance

A significant public health issue; by 2050, superbugs could kill 10 million people annually.

Ebola

A viral disease with outbreaks in West Africa.

Zika Virus Disease

A disease transmitted by mosquitoes prevalent in Southern Mexico and parts of the Americas.

Pandemics

Widespread outbreaks of diseases affecting large populations, such as the Bubonic Plague and Spanish Flu.

Nutrient Cycling

The process by which nutrients are recycled in the ecosystem, highlighted by the roles of various microbes.

Central Dogma

The flow of genetic information from DNA to RNA to protein.

Mitosis

A type of cell division that results in two identical daughter cells.

Spontaneous Generation

The discredited theory that living organisms arise from non-living matter.

Robert Hooke

The scientist who coined the term 'cell' and observed microorganisms.

Antoni Van Leeuwenhoek

Known as the father of microbiology; first to observe bacteria using a microscope.

Germ Theory of Disease

The theory that microorganisms are the cause of many diseases.

Koch's Postulates

A series of criteria to establish a causative relationship between a microbe and a disease.

Agar

A gelatinous substance used as a solidifying agent in culture media.

Alcohol Fermentation

The anaerobic process by which sugars are converted into alcohol and carbon dioxide by yeast.

Nutrient Agar

A culture medium used for growing non-fibrous bacteria.

Simple Staining

A technique that uses a single stain to color bacterial cells.

Gram Stain

A differential staining technique that categorizes bacteria into Gram-positive and Gram-negative.

Brightfield Microscope

A type of microscope that transmits light through a specimen.

Darkfield Microscope

A microscope that illuminates specimens at an angle, allowing unstained cells to appear bright against a dark background.

Phase Contrast Microscope

Enhances contrast in transparent specimens without the need for staining.

Fluorescence Microscope

Uses specific wavelengths of light to excite fluorescence in the sample.

Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM)

Provides high-resolution images of thin sections of specimens using electrons.

Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM)

Provides 3D images of the surface of specimens.

Cell Wall

The rigid layer that surrounds the cell membrane of bacteria, providing structural support.

Peptidoglycan

A polymer that composes the bacterial cell wall, made up of sugars and amino acids.

Endospore

A resistant structure formed by some bacteria that can survive extreme conditions.

Capsule

A layer of polysaccharides surrounding some bacteria, increasing their virulence.

Biofilm

A complex community of microorganisms adhering to surfaces.

Plasmid

A small, circular piece of DNA found in bacteria that can replicate independently.

Horizontal Gene Transfer

The transfer of genetic material between organisms in a manner other than traditional reproduction.

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 immune responses.

LPS (Lipopolysaccharide)

A major component of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, playing a key role in the immune response.

Antigen

A substance that induces an immune response.

Antibody

A protein produced by the immune system in response to an antigen.

Pathogen

An organism that causes disease.

Microbiome

The collection of microorganisms living in a particular environment, especially the human body.

Virology

The study of viruses and viral diseases.

Mycology

The study of fungi.

Bacteriology

The study of bacteria.

Parasitology

The study of parasites.

Inoculation

The introduction of microorganisms into a culture medium.

Contamination

The presence of unwanted microorganisms in a culture.

Incubation

The process of maintaining environmental conditions for microbial growth.

Selective Media

A culture medium that inhibits the growth of certain microorganisms while allowing others to grow.

Differential Media

A culture medium that distinguishes between different types of microorganisms based on their growth characteristics.

Pure Culture

A culture that contains a single species of microorganisms.

Mixed Culture

A culture that contains multiple species of microorganisms.

Antibiotic

A substance that inhibits the growth of or destroys bacteria.

Vaccination

A method of stimulating a person's immune response against a disease.

Mutagenesis

The process of inducing mutations in an organism.

Bioengineering

The application of biological science to the development of products and processes.

Anaerobic respiration

Metabolic process that does not require oxygen.

Aerobic respiration

Metabolic process that requires oxygen.

Fermentation

The metabolic process that converts sugar to acids, gases, or alcohol.

Metabolism

The chemical processes that occur within a living organism to maintain life.

Catabolism

The breakdown of complex molecules to form simpler ones, releasing energy.

Anabolism

The synthesis of complex molecules from simpler ones, requiring energy.

Energy Coupling

The use of energy from one reaction to drive another.

Electron Transport Chain (ETC)

A series of proteins in the inner membrane of mitochondria that transfer electrons, producing ATP.

Photosynthesis

The process by which green plants and some microorganisms convert light energy into chemical energy.

Cellular Respiration

The process of converting glucose into usable energy (ATP) in the presence of oxygen.

Sustainable Practices

Methods that do not deplete resources or harm the environment.

Pathogenicity

The ability of an organism to cause disease.

Virulence

The degree of pathogenicity within a group or species.

Host Range

The range of hosts a pathogen can infect.

Symbiosis

A close and often long-term interaction between two different biological species.

Commensalism

A symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits while the other is neither helped nor harmed.

Mutualism

A symbiotic relationship where both organisms benefit.

Parasitism

A symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits at the expense of another.

Bioremediation

The use of microorganisms to remove or neutralize pollutants from a contaminated area.

Biotechnology

The use of living systems and organisms to develop or make products.

Microbial fuel cells

Devices that use bacteria to convert organic matter directly into electricity.

Synthetic biology

An interdisciplinary field that involves designing and constructing new biological parts.

Probiotics

Live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host.

Antiseptics

Chemical substances that prevent the growth of disease-causing microorganisms.

Disinfectants

Chemical agents used to destroy microorganisms on non-living surfaces.

Sterilization

The process of making something free from bacteria or other living microorganisms.

Culture Techniques

Methods used to grow and isolate microorganisms in the laboratory.

Fomites

Inanimate objects or materials that can carry infection.

Infection Control

Policies and procedures used to minimize the risk of spreading infections.

Immunization

The process by which an individual's immune system becomes fortified against an infectious agent.

Serology

The study of serum, especially the response of the immune system to pathogens.

Epidemiology

The branch of medicine that deals with the incidence, distribution, and control of diseases.

Public Health

The science of protecting and improving the health of people and their communities.

Anthrax

A serious infectious disease caused by bacteria usually found in the soil.

Tetanus

A bacterial infection that causes painful muscle stiffness and lockjaw.

Botulism

A rare but serious illness caused by a toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum.

Vaccine,

A biological preparation that provides active acquired immunity to a particular infectious disease.

Meiosis

A type of cell division that results in four daughter cells each with half the number of chromosomes of the parent cell.

Chloroplast

An organelle found in plants and algae that conducts photosynthesis.

Mitochondria

Organelles known as the powerhouses of the cell because they produce energy.

Cytoplasm

The jelly-like fluid inside a cell that contains organelles.

Cell Membrane

A biological membrane that separates and protects the interior of all cells from the outside environment.

Flagella

Long, whip-like structures used for movement by some microorganisms.

Fimbrae

Hair-like appendages that allow bacterial cells to attach to surfaces.

Pili

Appendages that allow bacteria to attach to host cells.