The Main Themes of Microbiology

Comprehensive practice flashcards covering introductory microbiology themes, microbial roles, historical milestones, disease causes, taxonomy, and classification based on the lecture transcript.

What does it mean that microbes are described as ubiquitous?

It means that microbes are present everywhere.

What are the major groups of microorganisms included in the study of microbiology?

Bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, algae, and helminths (parasitic worms).

What is the defining characteristic of prokaryotic organisms?

Prokaryotic organisms do not have a membrane-bound nucleus.

What defines eukaryotic organisms, and why are they studied by microbiologists?

Eukaryotic organisms have a membrane-bound nucleus and can cause/spread disease.

What are the characteristics of Archaea noted in the text?

They are very primitive organisms and are usually not a health concern.

Why are viruses unable to reproduce without a host organism?

They are not cells and do not contain both RNA and DNA.

What are prions and what medical conditions are associated with them?

Prions are proteinaceous infectious particles made only of protein; they cause mad cow disease and CJD.

What measurement units and scales are used for microbes and viruses?

Microbes are measured in microns ($1/1000\text{th}$ of a millimeter, $10^{-6}\text{ m}$) and viruses are measured in nanometers ($10^{-9}\text{ m}$).

What role do photosynthetic microorganisms play in Earth's atmosphere?

They contribute oxygen to the atmosphere, accounting for more than $50\text{\%}$ of Earth's photosynthesis.

What are the primary ecological functions of bacteria and fungi?

They play essential roles in decomposition and nutrient recycling.

What is the definition of biotechnology?

The manipulation of microorganisms to make products in an industrial setting.

What is genetic engineering and how is recombinant DNA created?

Genetic engineering means changing an organism’s DNA by adding DNA from another living thing.

How does bioremediation utilize microorganisms?

It introduces microbes into the environment to restore stability and/or clean up toxins, such as oil spills.

How are pathogens destroyed in modern wastewater treatment processes?

Modern wastewater treatment uses UV light instead of chlorine to destroy pathogens.

How many known pathogens exist and how many annual deaths do infectious diseases cause?

There are $1500$ different pathogens, causing the deaths of $10\text{ million}$ people per year.

What are emerging infectious diseases (EIDs), and what two examples are vector-borne by mosquitoes?

EIDs are newly identified diseases being reported in large numbers; examples include Chikungunya virus and Zika virus, both spread by the Aedes mosquito.

How is a pandemic defined?

A disease that spreads worldwide.

What are zoonoses?

Diseases spread by animals, such as rabies.

What are reemerging diseases?

Older diseases that were once under control but have reemerged.

Which bacterium is responsible for causing gastric ulcers?

Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium that thrives in the acid environment of the stomach.

Which microbial infections can lead to infertility and cervical cancer?

Infertility can be caused by Chlamydia infection, and cervical cancer can be caused by HPV infection.

What did Antonie van Leeuwenhoek discover with his early lenses, and what term did he use?

He discovered living things in rainwater and in his mouth's gum line, naming them animalcules.

How did Robert Hook (Hooke) discover cells?

He observed thin slices of cork from under tree bark using primitive lenses and saw rows of "little boxes" that became known as cells.

What were the findings of Redi, Needham, and Pasteur regarding spontaneous generation?

Redi studied maggots on meat; Needham observed microbial growth in heated "sterilized" containers; and Pasteur disproved spontaneous generation using his swan-necked flask experiment.

How did Edward Jenner demonstrate scientific reasoning in smallpox research?

He hypothesized that a cowpox infection would protect against smallpox.

Which pathogen did Robert Koch prove to cause anthrax, and what guide did he formulate?

He proved anthrax was caused by Bacillus anthracis and developed Koch's postulates.

What contribution did Joseph Lister make to surgical and hospital practices?

He was the first to use aseptic techniques in hospitals using phenol, significantly reducing death rates.

What major contributions did Louis Pasteur make to microbiology?

He cured rabies, saved the wine industry through pasteurization, saved the silk industry, disproved spontaneous generation, and helped establish the Germ Theory of Disease.

Who is known as the Father of Taxonomy, and what naming system did he create?

Carl Linnaeus (or Linne), who created the system of binomial nomenclature.

What are the three taxonomic domains and five kingdoms listed in the notes?

Domains: Eukarya, Archaea, and Bacteria. Kingdoms: Monera (bacteria), Plantae (plants), Fungi (molds and mushrooms), Animalia (animals), and Protista (protozoans).

What is the complete hierarchy of taxa from highest to lowest rank?

Domain, Kingdom, Division or phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, species.

What naming rule applies to family taxonomic names, and what is the human family name?

Family names always end in "idae"; the human family name is Hominidae.

What are the formal formatting rules for scientific binomial nomenclature?

The genus name is capitalized and italicized or underlined; the species name is lowercase and italicized or underlined.

How are evolution and natural selection defined in the lecture notes?

Evolution is the gradual change of living things over time, and natural selection represents the process where these changes favor survival.