General Microbiology Lecture Review

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers historical breakthroughs, taxonomy, classification, microbial metabolic pathways, genetics, growth phases, and control methods for microorganisms based on the general microbiology lecture notes.

Microbiology

The study of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, and algae.

Animalcules

The name Anton van Leeuwenhoek gave to the microorganisms he observed, which revealed the microscopic world to scientists of his day.

Abiogenesis

Also known as Spontaneous Generation (SG), this theory states that life emerges from non-living matter through a vital force.

Biogenesis

The theory stating that life can only come from pre-existing life and refers to any process by which a life form gives rise to another.

Pasteurization

A process suggested by Louis Pasteur involving mild heating at $145\,^{\circ}F$ for $30\,\text{minutes}$ to destroy undesirable organisms without ruining the taste of the product.

Tyndallization

The process of killing heat-resistant microorganisms through prolonged boiling or intermittent heating, named after John Tyndall.

Endospores

Highly resistant bacterial structures identified and described by Ferdinand Cohn.

Germ Theory of Disease

The theory proven by Louis Pasteur that many diseases are caused by the presence of foreign microorganisms.

Koch's Postulates

A set of principles provided by Robert Koch by which specific microorganisms can be related to specific diseases.

Variolation

The earliest method developed to control smallpox, involving deliberate exposure of uninfected individuals to material from smallpox lesions.

Salvarsan

Synthesized by Paul Ehrlich, this was the first synthetic agent against syphilis ($Treponema\,pallidum$).

Taxonomy

The science of biological classification, including describing, identifying, classifying, and naming of organisms.

Strain

A population of organisms that descends from a pure culture isolate or from a species.

Psychrophile

A microorganism with a growth temperature requirement of $-5\,^{\circ}C$ to $15\,^{\circ}C$.

Mesophile

A microorganism with a growth temperature requirement of $25\,^{\circ}C$ to $45\,^{\circ}C$, which includes human pathogens.

Halophile

A microorganism that requires a salt concentration of $10-15\,\%$ to grow.

Chemoheterotroph

An organism that uses organic compounds as both its energy and carbon source, such as mold growing on bread.

Genotype

The genetic makeup of an organism.

Phenotype

The observable physical and functional features of an organism expressed by its genotype.

Peptidoglycan

Also known as murein, this substance makes up the bacterial cell wall, providing rigidity and protection.

Prions

The smallest known infectious agents, consisting of infectious protein particles with no nucleic acids, causing neurodegenerative disorders.

Anabolism

The metabolic process of building complex molecules from simpler ones, requiring energy in the form of $ATP$.

Catabolism

The metabolic process of breaking down complex molecules into simpler ones, which releases energy.

Active Site

The part of an enzyme that directly binds to a substrate and carries out a chemical reaction.

Glycolysis

Also known as the Embden-Meyerhof-Parnas (EMP) pathway, it generates a net of $2$ pyruvate, $2\,ATP$, and $2\,NADH$.

Conjugation

The transfer of genetic information between bacteria via direct cell-to-cell contact.

Transduction

The transfer of bacterial genes by viruses, which can be generalized or specialized.

Transformation

The process by which bacterial cells take up free $DNA$ from the environment and incorporate it into their own genome.

Generation Time

Also called doubling time, it is the time required for a cell population to divide.

Selective Media

Culture media containing specific components that inhibit the growth of certain microorganisms while allowing others to grow.

Differential Media

Culture media that allow for the differentiation of microorganisms based on metabolic characteristics or colony appearance.

Sterilization

The removal of all viable organisms from an object or habitat.

Sanitization

The reduction of microbial populations to levels considered safe by public health standards.

Antisepsis

The prevention of infection or sepsis in living tissues using chemical agents called antiseptics.