OpenStax Microbiology Chapter 1 An Invisible World

microorganisms or microbes

very small organisms

microscopes

produce magnified images of microorganisms, human cells and tissues, and many other types of specimens too small to be observed with the naked eye

stains and dyes

used to add color to microbes so they can be better observed under a microscope

growth media

used to grow microorganisms in a lab setting

petri dish

a flat-lidded dish that is typically 10-11 centimeters (cm) in diameter and 1-1.5 cm high made out of either plastic or glass and used to hold growth media

test tubes

cylindrical plastic or glass tubes with rounded bottoms and open tops; used to grow microbes in broth, or semisolid or solid growth media

Bunsen burner

a metal apparatus that creates a flame that can be used to sterilize pieces of equipment

microincinerators

used to sterilize pieces of equipment

inoculation loop

a handheld tool that ends in a small wire loop

taxonomy

the classification, description, identification, and naming of living organisms

phylogenies

the evolutionary relationships

eukaryotes

organisms that have membrane-bound nuclei in their cells

prokaryotes

organisms that no not have membrane-bound nuclei in their cells

binomial nomenclature

a two-word naming system for identifying organisms by genus and specific epithet

acellular

not composed of cells

bacteria

unicellular prokaryotic organisms that are found in nearly every habitat on earth, including within and on humans

pathogens

can cause disease in humans and other animals

archaea

unicellular prokaryotic organisms with cell walls often composed of pseudopeptidoglycan that are found in extreme environments that are very cold, very hot, very basic, or very acidic

protists

an informal grouping of eukaryotes that are not plants, animals, or fungi

algae (singular: alga)

plant-like eukaryotic organisms that can be either unicellular or multicellular, and derive energy via photosynthesis

protozoa (singular: protozoan)

unicellular eukaryotic organisms with complex cell structures; most are motile

fungi (singular: fungus)

unicellular or multicellular eukaryotic organisms with cells walls made out of chitin

yeast

unicellular fungi included within the study of microbiology

molds

multicellular fungi made up of long filaments that play a critical role in decomposistion

helminths

multicellular parasitic worms included in the field of microbiology because their eggs and larvae are often microscopic

viruses

acellular microorganisms that require a host to reproduce

microbiology

the study of all different types of microorganisms

bacteriology

the study of bacteria

mycology

study of fungi

protozoology

study of protozoa

parasitology

the study of helminths and other parasites

virology

the study of viruses

immunology

the study of the immune system