microbio

Microbes

All microorganisms, including algae, not just bacteria.

Microbial disease

Diseases caused by microbes that destroy living cells/tissues and release harmful chemicals.

Bioterrorism

Use of biological agents (microbes or toxins) as weapons for personal or political agendas.

Therapeutic agents

Health products such as vaccines, drugs, and gene therapy using viruses.

Bio-remediation

Use of bacteria to break down pollutants, such as oil in sewage treatment.

Pure culture

A culture containing only one strain of microorganism, essential for studying characteristics of bacteria.

Gram staining

A method to classify bacteria based on the thickness of their cell wall, resulting in Gram-positive (purple) or Gram-negative (red) results.

16-streak method

A technique used to isolate a pure culture of bacteria.

Colony-forming unit (CFU)

A unit indicating the number of bacteria capable of forming a colony.

Aseptic technique

Practices to prevent contamination by unwanted microorganisms in clinical and lab settings.

Growth curve

Phases of bacterial growth including lag, log, stationary, and death phases.

Macronutrients

Nutrients required in large amounts for microbial growth.

Micronutrients

Trace elements needed in small amounts for microbial growth.

Culture media

Nutrient solutions used to grow microorganisms, can be defined or complex.

Antibiotics

Substances that kill bacteria or inhibit their growth, with no effect on viruses.

Broad spectrum antibiotics

Antibiotics that target a wide range of bacteria.

Narrow spectrum antibiotics

Antibiotics that target specific types of bacteria.

Autotroph

Organisms that make their own food.

Heterotroph

Organisms that cannot make their own food and rely on other organisms for nutrients.

Catalase test

A test to determine if bacteria can undergo aerobic respiration based on bubble formation.