Microbes and Disease practice flashcards

Flashcards covering the basics of microbes, diseases, and medical treatments.

What are microbes?

Microbes are very tiny living things.

Are all microbes harmful?

No, some microbes are useful and some are harmful.

What do microbes cause in humans, animals, and plants?

Microbes give diseases to humans, animals, and plants.

What are three types of microbes provided as examples in the text?

Viruses, bacteria, and fungi.

What specific microbe is a fungus used in making bread and pizza?

Yeast.

Besides bread and pizza, name two other products made using microbes.

Antibiotics and wine (or beer).

What is the primary role of bacteria in food production according to the notes?

Bacteria are useful in making cheese and yoghurt.

How do microbes assist in the natural environment?

They decompose dead, decayed substances.

How are viruses characterized in terms of health?

Viruses are pathogenic and always give diseases.

On which page of the source material can the table for structure of microbes be found?

Page 29.

Which microbe is used in making yoghurt?

Bacteria.

What are the contents needed to make yoghurt in the lab?

Milk and one spoon of ready yoghurt.

To what temperature should milk be heated when making yoghurt?

$46\,^\circ\text{C}$.

After mixing the yoghurt and milk, what is the next step?

Stir well and cover it with a lid.

How long should the yoghurt mixture be placed in a warm place?

$6-7\,\text{hrs}$.

What is the physical observation of the milk after it sets into yoghurt?

The milk settles into thick yoghurt.

What is the taste characteristic of the finished yoghurt?

Sour in taste.

What sugar is found in milk?

Lactose.

What do bacteria convert lactose into during yoghurt making?

Lactic acid.

What is the chemical equation for the conversion of lactose?

$\text{lactose} + \text{water} \rightarrow \text{lactic acid}$.

How does lactic acid affect milk proteins?

Lactic acid makes the protein particles in the milk stick together.

What is the result of milk protein particles sticking together?

The milk becomes thicker and changes to yoghurt.

Which microbe is used in bread making?

Yeast (fungus).

What are the four main contents mentioned for bread making?

Flour, water, sugar, and fat.

Why is flour mixed with warm water in bread making?

To give suitable temperature for the yeast.

What is the purpose of adding sugar to the bread dough?

Sugar acts as food for the yeast.

Why is fat added to the bread dough?

Fat is added for softness and taste.

What process does yeast perform to release energy?

Respiration.

What gas does yeast release during respiration?

Carbon dioxide ($CO_2$).

How does carbon dioxide affect the texture of bread?

It comes out as bubbles making the texture spongy.

What is the chemical equation for making alcohol using yeast?

$\text{yeast} + \text{Sugar} \rightarrow \text{alcohol} + \text{carbon dioxide} + \text{Energy}$.

What is the primary negative effect of most microbes?

They cause diseases to humans, animals, and plants.

What is the first condition necessary for microbes to respire?

Food to use in respiration (e.g., sugar).

What is the second condition necessary for microbes to respire?

Water to help digest food.

What is the third condition necessary for microbes to respire?

Warm temperature for enzymes to work properly.

In what container are microbes grown in the laboratory?

A Petri dish.

What is the name of the special jelly used in a Petri dish?

Agar.

Why is agar used for growing microbes?

It provides good conditions for growth and contains necessary food.

According to the doctors analogy, what is food poisoning caused by?

Microbes.

What substance is suspected to contain microbes in the doctor's example?

Fish paste.

Why must a doctor grow the microbe from food poisoning?

To have enough of it to recognize it before treating the patient.

How is a wire loop sterilized in the lab?

By dipping it in ethanol and heating it in a blue Bunsen burner flame.

What safety precaution must be taken with ethanol in the lab?

Keep it well away from the Bunsen burner because it is flammable.

What should you do after heating the wire loop and before dipping it in the sample?

Let the loop cool down.

Why should you put the lid back on the Petri dish immediately?

To stop other microbes from getting in.

Why is the Petri dish taped up?

To stop anyone from opening it.

In what orientation should the Petri dish be left in a warm place?

Upside down.

Why is the Petri dish left upside down?

To stop water from collecting on the surface of the agar.

How often should the Petri dish be checked during the experiment?

Every few days.

Should you open the Petri dish to look at the grown microbes?

No, just look through the plastic.

What is the definition of infection?

When a microbe is present in the body, giving disease and causing symptoms to appear.

What is an infectious disease?

A disease that passes from one person to another.

What is a pathogen?

Any organism that causes a disease.

Are all bacteria pathogenic?

No, some bacteria are pathogenic, others are not.

What type of organism is the malarial parasite?

A protozoan.

What is the specific name of the malarial parasite?

Plasmodium.

List the first three methods of microbe transmission mentioned.

Eating infected food, drinking unclean water, and breathing in droplets.

How can microbes enter the body through the skin?

Through cuts and grazes where they enter the blood.

How does a fetus receive microbes from the mother?

Through the placenta.

Name a way an infant can receive microbes from its mother after birth.

By feeding on mother's milk.

What is the seventh transmission method for microbes?

Unprotected sexual intercourse with an infected partner.

What is the first cited method to avoid infection?

Cooking food thoroughly.

When should a person wash their hands to avoid infection?

After going to the toilet.

What should be avoided regarding water to prevent infection?

Avoid drinking or bathing in infected water.

Why should you avoid sharing drinks?

To avoid the spread of microbes from other people.

How can one prevent infections transmitted by insects?

By using insect repellent.

What is the recommended care for cuts to prevent infection?

Washing cuts and covering them.

How can sexual transmission of disease be avoided?

By having safe sex.

What are 'natural defences' against disease?

Ways the body naturally stops microbes from entering.

List two physical barriers on the face that stop microbes.

Eyelashes and nose hair.

What structural barrier covers the entire body as a natural defense?

Skin.

What substance in the nose and windpipe traps microbes?

Sticky mucus.

Besides eyelashes, what other eye-related defense exists?

Tears.

Which cells in the body destroy microbes after they enter?

White blood cells (wbc).

What is the first way white blood cells destroy microbes?

By eating the microbes.

What is the second way white blood cells destroy microbes?

By making antibodies.

In how many ways can antibodies help destroy microbes?

Three ways.

How do ‘missile-like’ antibodies function?

They kill microbes directly.

How do ‘glue-like’ antibodies function?

They stick big groups of microbes together so wbcs can eat them.

How do ‘policemen-like’ antibodies function?

They surround and stick to the microbe to make it harmless.

What causes deficiency diseases?

The deficiency of a particular nutrient like protein, vitamins, or minerals.

What causes scurvy?

Not eating enough Vitamin C.

What are two clinical signs of scurvy?

Soft gums and soft skin.

What causes rickets?

Not eating enough Vitamin D and the mineral calcium.

What is the primary symptom of rickets?

Soft bones.

How are hereditary diseases passed?

From parents to children through genes.

Where is the problem located in the cells of a person with a hereditary disease?

In the instructions inside the nucleus.

What is sickle cell anaemia?

A disease that stops blood from carrying oxygen properly.

What shape do blood cells take in sickle cell anaemia?

Half moon or sickle shape.

What happens to sickle-shaped blood cells in the capillaries?

They get clogged up with each other.

What is cystic fibrosis?

A disease that prevents proper breathing due to excess mucus in the windpipe.

When does infectious disease typically happen for the first time?

When a particular type of microbe enters your blood for the first time.

When does a person stop being ill from a first-time infection?

Once the white blood cells have made enough antibodies to kill it off.

What is a disinfectant?

Chemicals that kill microbes in the environment around us.

What are antibiotics?

Chemicals (drugs) that kill bacteria in our bodies.

What is the specimen used in the experiment to test chemical effectiveness?

Bacteria.

In the disinfectant experiment, what indicates the chemical was effective?

A clear patch seen in the middle of the plate.

Do antibiotics kill viruses?

No, they kill only bacteria.

Who is allowed to give out antibiotics?

The pharmacist (chemist).

What document is required to obtain antibiotics from a chemist?

A prescription written by a doctor.