Microorganisms and Laboratory Techniques

These flashcards cover key vocabulary related to microorganisms, their classification, and laboratory techniques as outlined in the lecture notes.

Microorganisms

Organisms that are too small to be seen without a microscope.

Gram Stain

A method to classify bacteria into two groups based on the composition of their cell wall.

Amoeba

A type of protozoa that moves using pseudopodia.

Rhizopus

A genus of mold that is filamentous and part of the Fungi kingdom.

Candida

A genus of yeast that can cause infections in humans.

Cestode

A type of helminth also known as a tapeworm, which has a scolex.

Hyphae

Filamentous structures that make up molds.

Bacillus

A common bacterial shape which is rod-shaped.

Turbidity

A term used to describe the cloudiness or haziness of a fluid due to the presence of bacteria.

Sterilization

The process of killing or removing all microorganisms from a surface or medium.

Fungi

A kingdom of eukaryotic organisms that includes yeasts, molds, and mushrooms.

Protozoa

A diverse group of unicellular eukaryotic organisms that are often motile.

Endospore

A dormant, tough, and non-reproductive structure formed by certain bacteria.

Zygospore

A type of spore formed by the sexual reproduction of certain fungi.

Sporangium

A sac-like structure that produces and contains spores.

Colony

A visible mass of microorganisms all originating from a single mother cell.

Capsule

A gelatinous outer layer found in some bacteria that protects them from the immune system.

Pseudohyphae

Structures formed by some yeasts that resemble hyphae but are not true hyphae.