Microbiology Lecture Notes: Key Concepts and Laboratory Techniques

A set of practice flashcards covering core concepts from the microbiology lecture notes, including definitions of key terms, organisms, laboratory techniques, and historical figures.

What is microbiology?

The study of microorganisms. organisms so small you need a microscope to view, including bacteria, viruses, algae, fungi, and protists. Can be good or bad.

Which microorganisms require an electron microscope to view?

Viruses cannot be seen with a light microscope and require an electron microscope.

Are most microorganisms good or bad?

Most are beneficial (e.g., in food production); only a small number cause disease or spoilage.

How do the numbers of bacteria compare to human cells in and on the body?

There are more bacteria in and on you than the human cells you are made of.

What are prokaryotic cells?

Cells that do not have a nucleus; all bacteria are prokaryotic.

What are eukaryotic organisms mentioned in microbiology?

Algae, fungi, and protozoa—organisms with a nucleus.

What are the three domains of life?

Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya.

What are Archaea and their characteristics?

Found in extreme conditions; lack peptidoglycan in their cell walls and can generate methane.

What does the domain Eukarya include in this course?

Protista and Fungi.

What is a niche?

An organism’s role in the environment; bacteria and fungi compete for niches.

What is a pathogen?

A microorganism that causes disease.

Are viruses living?

No; they are non-living, acellular, and cannot reproduce without a host cell.

What are viroids?

RNA-based infectious agents that typically affect plants.

What are prions?

Protein-based infectious agents; example is mad cow disease.

What is a parasite?

An organism that robs from a host and often requires two hosts for development and replication.

Who is considered the father of microbiology and what did he do?

Antonie van Leeuwenhoek; described microorganisms under a microscope and built early simple lenses (~300x).

Who is considered the father of bacteriology and what is he known for?

Louis Pasteur; disproved spontaneous generation and developed pasteurization.

What is spontaneous generation?

The idea that living things arise from nonliving matter; Pasteur disproved this.

What is pasteurization?

Heating foods/liquids to kill microbes but not boiling, extending shelf life (first used for wine).

Who introduced aseptic technique?

Joseph Lister; advocated sterilization and antiseptic practices to improve surgical outcomes.

What did Koch contribute to microbiology?

Linked specific microorganisms to diseases; developed Koch’s postulates and improved culture methods (including agar).

What is taxonomy?

The science of naming, identifying, and classifying organisms; a detailed process with many organisms still unidentified.

What is binomial nomenclature?

Two-part Latin naming system: genus and species; genus capitalized, species lowercase, both italicized (e.g., Homo sapiens).

What are the major taxonomic ranks from broad to specific?

Domain, Kingdom, Phylum/Division, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species.

What are the main branches of microbiology?

Bacteriology, Virology, Phycology (algae), Protozoology, Mycology (fungi), Immunology.

What is inoculation in the lab?

Adding microorganisms to a growth medium using a sterilized loop.

What is incubation in microbiology?

The period of growth, duration depending on the organism.

What is defined (synthetic) media?

Media with all components known and defined to trace what the organism metabolizes.