Microbiology Vocabulary

Flashcards for Microbiology Lecture

Microorganisms

Organisms that are too small to be seen with the unaided eye. Include bacteria, fungi, protozoa, microscopic algae, viruses, and prions.

Pathogenic microbes

Disease-producing microbes.

Microbiome (Microbiota)

A group of microbes that live stably on/in the human body.

Resident Microbiota

Microbiota that begin to be acquired before birth and may colonize the body indefinitely

Transient Microbiota

Microbiota that may colonize the body fleetingly

Types of Microorganisms

Bacteria, Archaea, Fungi, Protozoa, Algae, Viruses, Multicellular Animal Parasites (helminths)

Taxonomy

The science of classifying organisms, assigning organisms to categories (taxa) to show the degree of similarity among organisms.

Three Domains of Life

Bacteria, Archaea, Eukarya (Protists, Fungi, Plants, Animals)

Binomial Nomenclature

Genus and species

Bacteria

Prokaryotes with peptidoglycan cell walls that divide via binary fission and derive nutrition from organic or inorganic chemicals or photosynthesis

Archaea

Prokaryotes that lack peptidoglycan cell walls and often live in extreme environments.

Fungi

Eukaryotes with chitin cell walls that absorb organic chemicals for energy; can be unicellular (yeasts) or multicellular (molds and mushrooms)

Protozoa

Eukaryotes that absorb or ingest organic chemicals and may be motile via pseudopods, cilia, or flagella

Algae

Eukaryotes with cellulose cell walls that use photosynthesis for energy and are found in freshwater, saltwater, and soil.

Viruses

Acellular entities consisting of a DNA or RNA core surrounded by a protein coat, replicated only within a living host cell.

Multicellular Animal Parasites

Eukaryotic, multicellular animals, including parasitic flatworms and roundworms (helminths).

Extremophiles

Microorganisms that live in extreme conditions (pH, temperature, salinity).

Microbial Ecology

The study of the relationship between microorganisms and their environment.

Bioremediation

Use of microbes to detoxify or degrade pollutants, enhanced by nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer.

Composting

Arranging organic waste to promote microbial degradation by thermophiles, converting plant remains into the equivalent of natural humus.

Spontaneous Generation

The hypothesis that life arises from nonliving matter; a “vital force” is necessary for life.

Biogenesis

The hypothesis that living cells arise only from preexisting living cells.

Fermentation

The microbial conversion of sugar to alcohol in the absence of air.

Pasteurization

The application of a high heat for a short time to kill harmful bacteria in beverages.

Chemotherapy

Treatment of disease with chemicals, which can be synthetic drugs or antibiotics.

Antibiotics

Chemicals produced by bacteria and fungi that inhibit or kill other microbes.

Bacteriology

The study of bacteria.

Mycology

The study of fungi.

Parasitology

The study of protozoa and parasitic worms.

Virology

The study of viruses.

Immunology

The study of immunity.

Microbial Genetics

The study of how microbes inherit traits.

Molecular Biology

The study of how DNA directs protein synthesis.