summ set

Aseptic

Refers to an environment or procedure free of pathogenic contaminants.

Sanitation

Reduces the number of pathogens to meet public health standards and prevent disease.

Bacteriostatic methods

Include refrigeration and freezing, which inhibit microbial metabolism and growth.

Most difficult microorganism to inactivate

Bacterial endospores.

Ultra-high temperature sterilization

A method using 191°F (88.3°C) for 1 second to sterilize, often used in milk processing.

Example of pasteurization

Flash pasteurization of milk at 161°F (71.7°C) for 15 seconds.

Antiseptic procedure

Swabbing skin with 70% ethanol before an injection.

Limitation of hydrogen peroxide for open wounds

It is less effective because catalase in tissues breaks it down.

Soaps and detergents characteristics

Soaps are good degerming agents but not antimicrobial; detergents are positively charged surfactants.

Highest level of biosafety for handling deadly pathogens

Biosafety Level 4 (BSL-4).

Science behind 'magic bullets'

Paul Ehrlich.

Penicillin source

Derived from Penicillium chrysogenum.

How beta-lactams act

They bind to enzymes that cross-link NAM subunits in peptidoglycan, weakening the cell wall and causing bacterial lysis.

Isoniazid action

Disrupts the formation of mycolic acid in the cell walls of mycobacteria.

Action of Polymyxin

Disrupts cytoplasmic membranes of Gram-negative bacteria; toxic to human kidneys.

Action of Tetracycline

Inhibits protein synthesis by targeting prokaryotic 30S ribosomal subunit.

Action of Actinomycin

Inhibits DNA or RNA synthesis by binding to DNA and blocking transcription.

Action of Beta-lactam drugs

Inhibit cell wall synthesis by preventing cross-linkage of NAM subunits.

Action of Azoles

Inhibit ergosterol synthesis, used as antifungals and also for protozoa and worm infections.

Action of Rifampicin (Rifampin)

Inhibits RNA synthesis by binding to bacterial RNA polymerase.

Action of Erythromycin

Inhibits protein synthesis by binding to the 50S ribosomal subunit (macrolide class).

AIDS

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.

Mutualism

A type of symbiosis where both organisms benefit.

Commensalism

A type of symbiosis where one organism benefits and the other is neither harmed nor helped.

Normal microbiota

Also known as normal flora or indigenous microbiota.

Staphylococcus epidermidis habitat

On the skin of humans as part of the normal microbiota.

Opportunistic pathogens

Normal microbiota that cause disease under certain conditions such as immune suppression or unusual sites.

Acquired zoonotic diseases examples

Rabies, salmonellosis, yellow fever, West Nile virus.

Fomites

Inanimate objects that help indirectly transmit pathogens.

Portals of entry for pathogens

Skin, mucous membranes, placenta, parenteral route.

Common site of entry to the respiratory system

Through the nose or mouth via mucous membranes.

Agent causing syphilis

Treponema pallidum.

Example of a symptom in disease manifestation

Aches.

Pathogenicity

The ability of a microorganism to cause disease.

Virulence

The degree of pathogenicity of a microorganism.

Body's first line of defense

Skin and mucous membranes, along with their chemicals and processes.

Components of blood

Plasma (water, proteins, electrolytes, etc.) and formed elements: erythrocytes, leukocytes, and platelets.

Stages of phagocytosis

1. Chemotaxis 2. Adherence 3. Ingestion 4. Killing 5. Elimination.

Interferons alpha and beta function

Released by virally infected cells to help prevent the spread of viruses to neighboring cells.

Complement in serology

A set of serum proteins that, when activated, lead to inflammation, opsonization, and lysis of pathogens.

Inflammation

A nonspecific response to tissue damage; can be acute (short-lived) or chronic (long-lasting).

Causes of fever

Pyrogens (e.g., bacterial toxins, cytoplasmic contents, or antigen-antibody complexes) trigger the hypothalamus to raise body temperature.

Main players in adaptive immunity

T and B lymphocytes.

Is the tonsil a lymphoid organ?

Yes, it's a secondary lymphoid organ.

Where do T cells differentiate?

In the thymus.

Where do B lymphocytes mature?

In the red bone marrow.

Five classes of immunoglobulins

IgM, IgG, IgA, IgE, and IgD.

Test used to detect HIV

ELISA (specifically indirect ELISA).

Three types of T cells

Cytotoxic T cells, Helper T cells, and Regulatory T cells.

Function of MHC

To present antigenic determinants to T cells.

Role of vaccines in immunological memory

Help form memory B and T cells for a faster immune response upon re-exposure.