Microbiology and Cell Biology

38 vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts, terms, and definitions from the video notes.

Binary fission

The process by which bacteria reproduce.

Staphylococci

Spherical bacteria arranged in grape-like clusters.

Bacilli

Rod-shaped bacteria.

Nucleoid region

Location of bacterial chromosomes in the cell.

Cocci

Spherical bacteria.

Gram staining

A staining method based on differences in bacterial cell wall structure.

Endospore

Dormant, resistant form formed by some bacteria under environmental stress.

Cell wall differentiation

The cell wall structure differentiating Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.

Waxy lipid layer

A waxy lipid layer external to the cell wall in acid-fast bacteria.

Lipopolysaccharide outer membrane

Outer membrane found only in Gram-negative bacteria.

Strain

Genetic variant within a species.

Genus and species

Binomial nomenclature naming organisms.

Normal microbiota

Microbes that normally reside on and in us and influence physiology and susceptibility to pathogens.

Aseptic culturing techniques

Techniques to prevent contamination.

Golden age of microbiology

The period around 1850–1920 when major microbiology discoveries occurred.

Pasteur

Scientist who argued against spontaneous generation.

Scientific method

Starts with a question that can be scientifically investigated.

Inference

Drawing conclusions without sufficient data; should be avoided in patient assessment.

Prokaryote

Unicellular organism that lacks a nucleus and stains purple with Gram stain due to thick peptidoglycan.

Koch’s postulates

Systematic process to link a specific infectious agent to a disease.

Atoms

Smallest units of elements that make up matter.

Atomic number

The number of protons identifies an element.

Glycosidic bonds

Covalent bonds linking monosaccharides in carbohydrates.

Dehydration synthesis

Synthesis reaction forming bonds with removal of water.

Amphipathic

Molecules with both hydrophobic and hydrophilic properties.

Biomolecules

The four main classes: carbohydrates, nucleic acids, proteins, and lipids.

Hydrophilic

Substances that readily dissolve in water.

Ionic bonds

Bonds formed by transfer of electrons resulting in charged ions.

Exergonic and endergonic reactions

Exergonic reactions release energy and can drive endergonic reactions that require energy.

Activation energy

Minimum energy required to start a chemical reaction.

Nucleus

Primary function is housing the cell’s DNA.

Endosymbiont theory

Mitochondria and chloroplasts originated from free-living bacteria with their own DNA.

Helminths

Parasitic worms, including pinworms and hookworms.

Cell membrane

Regulates what goes into and out of the cell.

Endoplasmic reticulum

Modifies and packages proteins; rough ER has ribosomes.

Golgi apparatus

Builds and packages lipids.

Mitochondria

Energy production.

Ribosomes

Makes proteins.