INTRODUCTION TO MICROORGANISMS

Microorganisms

are microscopic organisms that cannot be seen by the naked eye. These organisms are usually unicellular in nature.

Vaccines

is a biological preparation that provides active acquired immunity to a disease. They are usually made for viral diseases.

Viruses

are organisms that possess nucleic acid but lack the replicating machinery. Thus, cannot survive without a living cell.

Bacteria

are unicellular prokaryotic microorganisms.

Viruses

considered to be on the borderline between living and nonliving entities.

Bacteria

may be spherical, rod-shaped, and spiral.

Virus

Is a type of parasite the size of which mostly ranges from 0.02 to 0.3μm. It contains a single nucleic acid (RNA or DNA) core which is surrounded by a protein coat.

Bacteria

They are thought to have been the first organisms on earth.

Rabies

deadly viral disease of the nervous system.

Bacteria-like organisms

This is the type of organism known fossils.

DNA viruses

replicate in the nucleus of host cells.

Industrial and Medicinal.

These are the purposes of the bacteria.

Capsids

They vary in shape, from simple helical forms to more complicated structures with tails.

RNA viruses

Replicate in the cytoplasm.

Bacteria

they are micrometers in length and exist together in communities of millions.

Single-stranded RNA viruses

These are further classified into a DNA or RNA virus.

Capsule

the bacterial cell’s outermost protective layer.

Viruses

These are not capable of sustaining metabolic functions that are essential to life.

Protects from Phagocytosis

What are the functions of the Capsule?

Cell wall

This is another protective layer of the bacterial cell.

Indirect Transmission

The transmission via contact with contaminated objects or materials such as medical equipment or eating utensils.

Viruses

It may come in the shape of rods (or filaments), where the nucleic protein subunits are arranged in a linear fashion, and spheres, which are icosahedral polygons.

Plasma Membrane

is a phospholipid bilayer found within the cell wall.

Cytoplasm

A gel-like substance within the plasma membrane.

Direct Contact Transmission

The transmission via physical contact between an infected and uninfected subject through kissing, biting, or sexual intercourse.

DNA

contains all the genetic instructions used in the development and function of the bacterium.

Pathogens

Is any organism that causes disease. Ex: Bacteria, protozoa, and viruses can be pathogenic.

Ribosomes

the site for protein synthesis.

Flagellum

a lash-like structure which protrudes from the cell body.

Carrier

A person or organism infected with an infectious disease agent but displays no symptoms of it. They can spread the infection since they already have the pathogen in their bodies.

Lytic cycle

The virus replicates its DNA and protein coats, which are then assembled into new virus particles. This causes the host cell to burst or "lyse," which is why the cycle is so-called.

Pili

A hair-like appendage found on the outside of the cell.

Airborne diseases

Certain diseases can spread by air. The best example of this type of disease is the Influenza.

Heterotrophic bacteria

get their energy through consuming organic carbon.

Autotrophic bacteria

make their own food

Photoautotrophs bacteria

Bacteria that use photosynthesis.

Vector

An organism, which is a biting insect or tick, that can transmit disease or parasite from one animal or plant to another. Common examples are mosquitoes.

Anaerobes

do not produce oxygen.

Waterborne diseases

The diseases that spread through water. Typhoid is the best example of this disease.

Chemoautotrophs

Those that use chemosynthesis.

Common Vehicle Transmission

This transmission mode refers to when individuals pick up the virus from food and water supplies that are contaminated with feces. This often causes epidemic disease.

Bacteria

can be found in soil, water, plants, animals, radioactive waste, deep in the earth’s crust, arctic ice and glaciers, and hot springs.

Aerobes

can only grow where there is oxygen.

Anaerobes

can only grow where there is no oxygen.

Facultative anaerobes

can live either with or without oxygen, but they prefer environments where there is oxygen.

Capsid

protein that surrounds a virus

Mesophiles

the bacteria responsible for most human infections.

Extremophiles

can withstand conditions considered too extreme for most life forms.

Thermophiles

can live in high temperatures, up to 75 to 80°C.

Hyperthermophiles

Can survive in temperatures up to 113°C.

Halophiles

found only in a salty environment.

Acidophiles

some of which live in environments as acidic as pH 0.

Alkaliphiles

living in alkaline environments up to pH 10.5.

Psychrophiles

found in cold temperatures, for example, in glaciers.

Extremophiles

can survive where no other organism can.

Binary Fission

These separate, making two cells with the same genetic material.

Transfer of Genetic Material

These processes can make bacteria stronger and more able to resist threats, such as antibiotic medication..

Spores

It hold the organism’s DNA material and contain the enzymes needed for germination. They are very resistant to environmental stresses.

Clostridium

an example of an endospore-forming bacterium.

Antibiotics

These are an inorganic or organic compound that inhibits and kills microorganisms. It usually target bacteria.

Macroscopic Filamentous Fungi

That form large fruiting bodies. Single-celled microscopic yeasts.

Molds

are made up of very fine threads (hyphae).

Spores

similar to seeds as they enable the fungus to reproduce.

Macroscopic filamentous fungi

It also grow by producing a mycelium below ground. They differ from molds because they produce visible fruiting bodies (commonly known as mushrooms or toadstools) that hold the spores.

Fruiting body

This is made up of tightly packed hyphae which divide to produce the different parts of the fungal structure

Yeasts

These are small, lemon-shaped single cells that are about the same size as red blood cells.

Airborne Transmission

The transmission that refers to the respiratory infection that occurs when the virus is inhaled.

Protozoa

are single-celled microscopic animals which include flagellates, ciliates, sporozoans, and many other forms.

Protozoans

They live in a wide variety of moist habitats including freshwater, marine environments, and the soil. Some are parasitic, which means they live in other plants and animals including humans, where they cause disease.

Cilia

tiny hair-like structures that cover the outside of the microbe. They beat in a regular continuous pattern like flexible oars.

Flagella

long thread-like structures that extend from the cell surface. It’s move in a whip-like motion that produces waves that propel the microbe around.

Amoeboid movement

This organism moves by sending out pseudopodia, temporary protrusions that fill with cytoplasm that flows from the body of the cell.

Stentor

A trumpet-shaped protozoan, with a ring of cilia around the mouth of the trumpet 'funnel'.