ATI TEAS 7 Life Science: Microbiology Basics (Tyler Dewitt)

What are microbes (or microorganisms)?

They are organisms that are too small to see with the naked eye.

Who are the two scientists that are considered the investors of the microscope?

Robert Hooke and Antoine van Leeuwenhoek

Do most microbes cause disease?

No, the majority of microbes are actually harmless or even helpful.

Many microbes are decomposers. What does that mean?

They break down stuff so that it can rot: things like dead animals, garbage, etc. Basically, they turn it back into dirt.

What are the four categories of microbes that typically cause disease?

Viruses, bacteria, fungi, and protozoa. (Some animals like worms can cause disease, but they're not microbes.)

Think about viruses, bacteria, fungi, and protozoa. Which are made of cells and which are not?

Viruses are not made of cells. Bacteria, fungi, and protozoa are made of cells.

What is another term for protozoa?

Protists

What are the key differences between prokaryotic cells and eukaryotic cells?

Prokaryotic cells are smaller and simpler than eukaryotic cells. Prokaryotic cells do not have a nucleus (the DNA is just floating in the cytoplasm), and prokaryotic cells do not have real organelles (like mitochondria, etc.)

Think about bacteria, fungi, and protozoa. Which are prokaryotic, and which are eukaryotic?

Bacteria are prokaryotic. Fungi and protozoa are eukaryotic.

What are some things that prokaryotic cells and eukaryotic cells both have in common?

They both have DNA, ribosomes, cytoplasm, and a cell membrane.

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Why are viruses considered non-living?

They are not made of cells. They cannot grow or reproduce on their own. In order to reproduce, they must "hijack" a living cell, which is known as a "host."

What parts are all viruses made of?

They have a nucleic acid genome (made of either DNA or RNA), surrounded by a protein shell known as a "capsid."

How to viruses reproduce? In other words, how do they make more copies of virus?

They find a living cell, and they put in their nucleic acid (DNA or RNA). The nucleic acid takes over the host cell, and forces it to make and assemble more copies of virus. Eventually, the host cell gets filled with viruses it made, and it often bursts.

What are the two types of cells that are part of the "fungi" category?

Yeast and mold

Are you sick of TEAS study resources that just throw jargon definitions at you, and don't actually teach?

Find me on YouTube at "TEAS Science with Tyler DeWitt."

What are electron microscopes good for?

They have incredibly good magnification and resolution. They are good for seeing tiny detail on really small things.

If the TEAS asks you "what type of microscope is good for looking at tiny detail," what will you do?

You will look through the answer choices to find wherever it says "electron microscope." BOOM

Why do electron microscopes have much better resolution than light microscopes?

Electrons have a much lower wavelength than light. (I know it's technical, you just gotta memorize it.)

There are two things that a microscope can use to create an image. What are they?

They can use light or they can use electrons.