Microbiology: Microbial Control, Antimicrobial Mechanisms, Drug Resistance, and Metabolism

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering microbial control techniques, mechanisms of antimicrobial drugs, mechanisms of antibiotic resistance, and metabolic energy pathways.

Sterilization

Kills/removes all living cells, acellular entities, and bacterial endospores.

Disinfection

Kills pathogens on inanimate surfaces; does not necessarily kill endospores.

Antisepsis

Destruction or inhibition of microbes on living tissue (less toxic than disinfectants).

Penicillin Mechanism

Mimics D-Ala-D-Ala, binds PBPs to block cross-linking, and activates autolysins.

Vancomycin Mechanism

Binds D-Ala-D-Ala substrate directly to block transpeptidase cross-linking. Gram-positive only.

Sulfa Drugs (Sulfanilamide)

Structural analog of PABA; competitively inhibits bacterial folic acid synthesis.

Aminoglycosides

Bind the $30\text{S}$ subunit; block initiation and cause mRNA misreading.

Tetracyclines

Bind the $30\text{S}$ ribosomal subunit to block tRNA attachment.

Macrolides & Lincosamides

Bind the $50\text{S}$ subunit and prevent protein synthesis elongation.

Quinolones

Inhibit topoisomerases and DNA gyrase, stopping DNA replication and repair.

Rifampin

Inhibits RNA polymerase elongation, blocking RNA transcription.

Drug Resistance: Modify Target

Altering the drug's target site to prevent binding.

Drug Resistance: Drug Inactivation

Enzymatically degrading or modifying the drug to render it harmless.

Drug Resistance: Bypass Pathway

Overproducing metabolites or using alternative pathways to bypass the drug's effect.

Drug Resistance: Minimize Concentration

Using efflux pumps to actively pump the drug out of the cell.

Standard Reduction Potential Rule

More negative $E_0$ is a better donor; electrons flow toward more positive $E_0$.

EMP Pathway Net Yield

$2$ Pyruvate, $2\text{ ATP}$, and $2\text{ NADH}$ per glucose.

EDP Pathway Net Yield

$1$ Pyruvate, $1\text{ G3P}$, $1\text{ ATP}$, $1\text{ NADPH}$, and $1\text{ NADH}$.

Respiration

Uses an ETC with an exogenous terminal electron acceptor for oxidative phosphorylation.