Microbiology Exam 3 Study Notes

Flashcards created from review notes for Microbiology Exam 3, covering key concepts and terminology.

What is an endogenous infection?

An infection that comes from your own biota.

What characterizes an exogenous infection?

An infection that comes from outside the body.

What are endotoxins?

Toxins secreted by gram-positive bacteria, highly potent.

What are exotoxins?

Components of gram-negative cell walls released when bacteria die.

What are signs in medical terms?

Observable or measurable expressions of a condition.

What are symptoms?

Patient's subjective description of a physical or mental disorder.

What is meant by sequela?

Long-term effects after an injection/infection.

What is the infection dose known as LD50?

The number of microbes needed to kill 50% of the population.

Who improved sanitation and how?

Florence Nightingale improved sanitation practices.

What is Koch's postulates?

Developed by Robert Koch, used to establish a causative relationship between a microbe and a disease.

What did John Snow accomplish in microbiology?

He traced cholera to contaminated water.

What role do eosinophils play in the immune response?

They are cells involved in parasitic and allergic responses.

What are neutrophils?

The most numerous phagocytic white blood cells.

Where do T-cells mature?

In the thymus.

What are interferons?

Proteins released by virus-infected cells.

What is the function of IgG antibodies?

They provide long-term immunity.

What does IgA represent in terms of immunity?

It is associated with mucosal immunity.

What is IgM?

The first antibody produced in response to an infection.

What role does IgE play in the immune system?

It is involved in allergic reactions.

What is the function of IgD antibodies?

They serve as B-cell receptors.

What is serotyping?

The use of antibodies against specific surface antigens.

What does One Health refer to?

A collaborative effort of multiple disciplines for optimal health of people, animals, and the environment.

What is eutrophication?

The excessive richness of nutrients in a body of water.

Define true pathogen.

A microorganism that can cause disease.

What is an opportunistic pathogen?

A pathogen that causes disease when the host is immunocompromised.

What distinguishes a subclinical infection?

An infection with no visible symptoms, but the pathogen is present.

What does asymptomatic mean?

Infected without symptoms.

What is a secondary infection?

An opportunistic infection that occurs after a primary infection.

What is inflammation?

The body's antiseptic response to injury or infection.

Define phagocytosis.

Immune cells engulfing and digesting pathogens.

What is an antigen?

A molecule or pathogen that triggers an immune response.

What is an antibody?

A protein produced by B-cells that specifically binds to antigens.

What is the epitope of an antigen?

The part of an antigen that an antibody binds to.

What does opsonization refer to?

The coating of pathogens with molecules to enhance phagocytosis.

What is the function of lysozyme?

An enzyme that breaks down bacterial cell walls.

What is herd immunity?

The resistance of a group to a disease when a large proportion of the members are immune.

Define fomite.

An inanimate object that harbors and transmits pathogens.

What is a vector in microbiology?

A living organism that transmits pathogens.

What are aerosols?

Tiny particles in the air that can transmit pathogens.

What is a communicable disease?

A disease that can spread from one host to another.

Define non-communicable disease.

A disease that cannot be spread from person to person.

What is epidemiology?

The study of disease distribution.

What does incidence refer to?

The number of new cases in a population at a specific time.

What is prevalence?

The total number of new cases in a population at a specific time.

Define morbidity.

The rate of disease in a population.

What does mortality indicate?

The death rate in a population.

What is agglutination?

The clumping of cells due to antigen-antibody binding.

What is precipitation in immunology?

The formation of insoluble complexes when soluble antigens bind antibodies.

What is sensitivity in testing?

The ability to test for true positives.

What is specificity in testing?

The ability to test for true negatives.

What is microbial ecology?

The study of organisms in their environment.

What is the rhizosphere?

The soil around roots where microbes are highly active.

What is biotechnology?

The use of microorganisms to make products.

What is bioterrorism?

The use of toxins to cause harm or fear in a population.