Preliminary Exam 3 Review

Flashcards reviewing major concepts and vocabulary from the lecture notes for Exam 3.

Epidemiology

The science that studies health events among populations of people.

Infection

A condition in which pathogenic microorganisms penetrate host defenses, enter the tissues, and multiply.

Gram Stain Procedure

A multi-step staining technique used to classify bacteria as Gram-positive or Gram-negative based on cell wall composition.

Selective Media

Types of growth media designed to favor the growth of specific microorganisms while inhibiting others.

Pathogen

A germ that can make you sick.

Virulence Genes

Special genes in some germs that help them attack your body.

Host

The animal or person that a germ lives on or in.

Vector

An organism that carries and transmits pathogens to humans or other animals.

Morbidity

The number of people who are sick in a group.

Mortality

The number of people who die from a disease.

Endospore

A dormant, tough, and non-reproductive structure produced by some bacteria to survive adverse environmental conditions.

Antiseptics

Substances that prevent the growth of disease-causing microorganisms.

Germline Gene Therapy

Gene therapy that alters genes in eggs, sperm, or embryos.

Bioterrorism

The use of biological agents to harm or intimidate populations.

Toxin

A poisonous substance produced by living cells or organisms.

Microbiota

The community of microorganisms living in and on our bodies.

Incubation Period

The time between exposure to a pathogen and the onset of symptoms.

Capsule

A protective layer surrounding some bacterial cells that helps them evade the immune system.

MacConkey Agar

Selective media that inhibits Gram-positive bacteria and is selective for Gram-negative bacteria.

Differential Stain

A staining procedure that distinguishes between different types of bacteria based on their unique structural or chemical properties.