Microbiology Lecture Notes: Chapters 1-7

Flashcards covering key vocabulary related to bacterial nomenclature, classification, reproduction, and strain variations, including examples like E. Coli and Staph aureus, based on lecture notes from Chapters 1-7.

E. Coli

A common shorthand for Escherichia coli, used for ease of pronunciation.

Cocci

Refers to spherical bacteria.

Staph aureus (S. aureus)

A specific type of bacterium, commonly known as 'staph'.

S. pyogenes

A specific type of bacterium, commonly known as 'strep'.

Streptococcus

A genus of bacteria, often associated with terms like 'pyogenes'.

Genus and Species

A two-part classification system used for every single living organism, including bacteria.

Binary fission

The asexual process by which bacteria divide, copying their DNA and then splitting into two new cells.

Asexual reproduction

A mode of reproduction where an organism copies its DNA and divides, resulting in theoretically identical progeny, as seen in bacteria through binary fission.

Mutation

A change in the DNA that can occur during reproduction, leading to genetic differences in progeny even from asexual processes.

Strains

Slightly different versions of the same organism, arising from factors like gene transfer or mutation, possessing varying attributes or characteristics.

Antibiotic resistance

A characteristic developed by some bacterial strains, often due to mutation or gene transfer, making them unaffected by certain antibiotics.

E. Coli O157

A specific, dangerous strain of E. Coli responsible for severe food poisoning, which can potentially be fatal.

Organism pathogenicity

Refers to the varying ability of different strains of the same organism to cause disease, ranging from mild effects to life-threatening conditions.

Strain-specific antibiotic treatment

The necessity to identify which specific antibiotics are effective against a particular strain of an infectious organism, as not all strains respond to the same treatments.