Microbial Diversity - Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering key concepts from the Microbial Diversity lecture notes.

Microbial diversity

The variety of microorganisms (bacteria, archaea, fungi, protozoa, algae, and viruses) found in different environments (humans, animals, soil, water, and hospital settings).

Major groups of microorganisms

Bacteria, Archaea, Fungi, Protozoa, Viruses, and Helminths.

Normal microbiota

Microorganisms that normally reside on or in the body without causing disease, and can protect host health, aid digestion, or synthesize vitamins.

Skin microbiota

The microbial community on the skin, dominated by species such as Staphylococcus epidermidis, that can inhibit pathogens and maintain acidity.

Staphylococcus epidermidis

A common skin commensal bacterium that contributes to defense and prevents pathogen colonization.

Oral microbiota

The microbial community in the mouth, with early colonizers like Streptococcus viridans contributing to defense.

Streptococcus viridans

A group of oral streptococci that colonize the mouth and support oral health.

Gut microbiota

The highly diverse community of microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract that protects against pathogens, aids digestion, and synthesizes vitamins.

Vitamin production by gut microbiota

Gut microbes synthesize vitamins such as vitamin K and B12, contributing to host nutrition.

Urogenital tract microbiota (female)

Lactobacillus species maintain an acidic pH and protect against infections.

Lactobacillus spp.

Lactic acid bacteria that help acidify the vaginal environment and inhibit pathogens.

Probiotic

Live microorganisms that confer health benefits to the host when consumed in adequate amounts.

Beneficial vs harmful microorganisms

Beneficial microbes aid digestion, vitamin production, and defense; harmful microbes can cause disease.

Pathogens

Microorganisms capable of causing disease in the host (bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites).

Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Bacterial pathogen causing tuberculosis.

SARS-CoV-2

Coronavirus responsible for COVID-19; an example of an emerging pathogen.

Plasmodium

Protozoan parasite causing malaria.

Entamoeba histolytica

Protozoan parasite that causes amoebic dysentery.

Candida albicans

Opportunistic fungal pathogen that can cause infections in immunocompromised individuals.

Penicillium

Fungal genus that produces penicillin, a major antibiotic source.

Streptomyces

Bacterial genus that yields many antibiotics used in medicine.

Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT)

Therapeutic transfer of healthy gut microbiota to a patient to treat recurrent C. difficile infection.

Phage therapy

Use of bacteriophages to target and kill pathogenic bacteria, including multidrug-resistant strains.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR)

Microbes’ ability to resist drugs, driven by resistance genes and horizontal transfer, leading to treatment challenges.

Horizontal gene transfer

Movement of genetic material between microbes, spreading traits like resistance genes.