Lecture1-CPMIC201-Introtomicrobes-impact_Spring2014(1)

Microbes

Microscopic organisms that can be bacteria, viruses, fungi, or other single-celled entities.

Legionnaire’s disease

A rare type of pneumonia caused by the bacterium Legionella pneumophila.

Treponema pallidum

Bacterium that causes syphilis, a sexually transmitted disease.

Borrelia burgdorferi

The causative agent of Lyme disease, spread by black-legged or deer ticks.

Lichens

Symbiotic associations between fungi and cyanobacteria or algae that provide attachment and nutrients.

Bioluminescence

The production and emission of light by living organisms, such as bioluminescent bacteria in fish.

Enterohemorrhagic E. coli

A pathogenic strain of E. coli that can cause severe foodborne illness.

Mycorrhizae

Fungi that form symbiotic relationships with plant roots, aiding in nutrient and water uptake.

Symbiotic benefits

Advantages gained from mutualistic relationships between different organisms, such as microbes and plants.

Nitrogen fixation

The process by which certain bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form for plants.

Ecology

The branch of biology that deals with the relationships of organisms to one another and to their physical environment.

Microbial community

A group of microorganisms that coexist in a specific environment, interacting with each other and their surroundings.