Microbiology Lecture Notes - Chapter 1 Highlights

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, concepts, figures, and disease topics from the microbe notes.

Microbe (microorganism)

An organism too small to be seen with the naked eye; requires a microscope.

Bacteria

One of the four major microbe groups; study of bacteria is bacteriology; examples include E. coli and Salmonella.

Viruses

Another major microbe group; study of viruses is virology; examples include coronavirus, herpes, HIV.

Fungi

Major microbe group; study of fungi is mycology; examples include mold and yeast.

Parasites

Microbes that live on or in a host; study of parasites is parasitology; examples include protozoan parasites and worms.

Decomposers

Microbes (bacteria and fungi) that break down organic wastes and recycle elements; benefit humans by waste breakdown.

Photosynthesis (by microbes)

Process performed by Cynobacteria and algae (and some other microbes) that produces oxygen.

Nitrogen fixation

Process by which bacteria convert atmospheric N2 into nitrogen compounds (nitrates) usable by plants; ultimately supports the food chain.

Bioremediation

Artificial use of microbes to clean up the environment; bacteria or enzymes degrade pollutants (e.g., in oil spills, drain clogs).

Dairy products (microbial role)

Bacteria used in making dairy products like cheese and yogurt.

Botox and bacteria toxins

Bacteria produce toxins (e.g., botulinum toxin) used in cosmetic procedures like Botox.

Yeast (fungi)

Fungi that ferment grape sugar to produce alcohol (wine) and help bread rise.

Penicillin

Antibiotic substance produced by Penicillium mold; first discovered antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections.

Neomycin

Antibiotic produced by microbes; used to destroy bacteria in treatments.

Pathogenic microbes

Harmful microbes (pathogens) that can cause disease; less than 1% of bacteria are pathogenic.

Pathogens

Live agents that cause disease in a host (examples: Neisseria gonorrhoeae—gonorrhea; Tinea pedis—athlete’s foot; SARS-CoV-2—COVID-19).

Normal microbiota (normal flora)

Resident microbes that normally inhabit the body; usually nonharmful and can be beneficial (e.g., produce vitamin K; prevent overgrowth of pathogens).

Streptococci

Normal microbiota in the mouth.

Staphylococci

Normal microbiota on the skin.

Escherichia coli (E. coli) in the colon

Normal microbiota in the colon; can be beneficial; helps with digestion and other functions.

Van Leeuwenhoek

Father of microbiology; lens maker; first to observe live microorganisms and draw them.

Jenner

Father of vaccines; developed the first vaccine against smallpox using cowpox material.

Pasteur

Disproved spontaneous generation; proposed biogenesis; demonstrated germ theory with experiment using swan-neck flasks.

Lister

Pioneer of antiseptic/surgical asepsis; applied germ theory to reduce surgical infections.

Koch

Established germ theory; linked specific pathogens to specific diseases; formulated Koch’s postulates.

Koch’s postulates

A set of rules to establish a causal link between a microbe and a disease.

Ehrlich

Chemotherapy pioneer; coined 'magic bullet' concept for drugs that target pathogens with minimal host harm.

Fleming

Discovered penicillin, the first true antibiotic, produced by mold (Penicillium) that inhibited bacteria.

Marshall

Showed that many peptic ulcers are caused by Helicobacter pylori and linked it to gastric cancer.

Emerging Infectious Diseases (EIDs)

Diseases that are new or changing and are increasing in frequency or potential to increase.

SARS-CoV-2 / COVID-19

Example of an emerging infectious disease; coronavirus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic.

Zika virus

Emerging infectious disease transmitted by mosquitoes; associated with birth defects and other complications.

West Nile Virus

Emerging infectious disease transmitted by mosquitoes; can cause encephalitis.

Influenza virus

Emerging infectious disease agent responsible for seasonal flu and potential pandemics.

Global travel

Fact that facilitates rapid spread of pathogens around the world.

Rapid urbanization

Expansion of urban areas that can alter transmission dynamics and environmental exposure to pathogens.

Natural disasters

Events disrupting infrastructure (e.g., electricity, clean water) that can increase disease spread.

Contaminated water

Water that carries pathogens leading to diarrheal diseases and other infections.

Gene mutations in microbes

Frequent mutations can create new strains with higher harm or drug resistance.

Climate change

Environmental changes that influence disease distribution (e.g., mosquito-borne in wet areas; airborne in dry areas).

Drug resistance

Pathogens evolving to resist antimicrobial drugs, making infections harder to treat.