Microbiology Lecture 1

Who introduced the binomial system of scientific nomenclature

Linnaeus

How are organisms named

The genus and species

• Genus capitalized

• Species lower case

Characteristics of prokaryotes

No nucleus and organelles - more simple

Characteristics of eukaryotes

Membrane bound nucleus and organelles - more complex

Characteristics of acellular agents

Genomes contain either DNA or DNA

Viruses are what? And are they cells?

Tiny particles which are not cells that have genetic material surrounded by protective covering

Reproduction of prokaryotes vs eukaryotes

Asexual (binary fission) in prokaryotes but sexual OR asexual in eukaryotes

Respiratory system of prokaryotes vs eukaroytes

Prokaryotes - located in cytoplasmic membrane

Eukaryotes- located in mitochondria or chloroplast

What type of organisms are archaea?

Prokaryotes

What is missing from archaeal cell walls?

Peptidoglycan

What environment do archaea typically live in?

Extreme environments (extremophiles)

What do methanogens (type of archaea) produce?

Methane (CH4)

Where are methanogens commonly found?

Anaerobic envrionments

What do extreme halophiles require?

Very high salt concentrations

Halophiles - salt loving

Where are extreme thermophiles found?

Hot environments like hot springs and hydrothermal vents

What type of cells are bacteria?

Prokaryotes c

What is found in the bacterial cell walls?

Peptidoglycan

How do bacteria reproduce?

Binary fission

Are fungi prokaryotic or eukaryotic

Eukaryotic

Do fungi photosynthesize?

No

What are the main fungal forms? (3)

Yeasts, molds, mushrooms

What is yeast?

Unicellular fungus

What is mold

Multicellular, filamentous fungus

What is the fungal body structure called in molds?

Mycelium (the vegetative, root-like network of fungi, consisting of branching threads called hyphae)

Are protozoa prokaryotic or eukaryotic

Eukaryotic

How do protozoa move?

Pseudopodia, cilia, or flagella

Are protozoa always free-living?

No, some are parasitic

Are algae prokaryotic or eukaryotic

Eukaryotic

What type of nutrition do algae have?

Photosynthetic

What is the main component of algal cell walls

Cellulose

Why are algae important?

Produce oxygen and form part of the food chain

Are helminths unicellular or multicellular

Multicellular

What type of organisms are helminths?

Parasitic worms (flatworms and roundworms)

What is a key feature of helminths life cycles?

Microscopic developmental stages

What is required for viruses to replicate?

A host cell

What is the viral genome made of

DNA or RNA

What surrounds the viral genome?

Capsid (protein coat)

What sometimes surrounds viruses externally?

Lipid envelope

What are prions made of?

Infectious proteins only

Do prions contain DNA or RNA

NOPE!!

What disease does BSE cause

Mad cow disease

What type of disease is BSE

A prion disease

What human disease is linked to prions

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD)

What sis the main effect of prions?

Protein misfolding leading to brain damage

Who is the father of microbiology

Antonie van Leeuwenhoek

What did John Tyndall discover

Showed some microbes in dust and air → resistant to heat

Who discovered+described endospores

Ferdinand Cohn

What is a sterile conditions?

Complete removal of all life forms, including endospores

What is abiogenesis

Life arising from non-living matter (spontaneous generation