Microbiology and Disease Concepts

Flashcards summarizing key vocabulary and concepts in microbiology and disease.

Microbes

Microorganisms including bacteria, archaea, viruses, eukaryotes, and fungi.

Bacteria

Non-compartmentalized prokaryotic cells, prevalent in various environments.

Archaea

Microorganisms similar to bacteria but biochemically distinct, lacking peptidoglycan.

Eukaryotes

Complex cells with compartmentalized structures, including organelles and a nucleus.

Helicobacter pylori

A Gram-negative bacterium that infects the stomach and can cause gastritis and cancer.

Pasteurization

A process of heating liquids to kill microbes without altering taste, developed by Louis Pasteur.

Germ Theory

The theory that specific diseases are caused by specific microorganisms.

Koch's Postulates

A set of criteria for identifying the causative agents of infectious diseases.

Cholera

An infectious disease caused by Vibrio cholerae, characterized by severe diarrhea and dehydration.

Fermentation

A metabolic process converting sugar to acids, gases, or alcohol using microorganisms, notably in winemaking.