Microbiology for Optometry (BIMI200) Lecture Review

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering basic microbiology concepts, cell biology, growth kinetics, laboratory media, microbial control methods, and ocular infectious diseases based on the BIMI200 lecture notes.

Microbiology

The study of very small living organisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, algae, and parasites.

Bacteriology

The specialized study of bacteria.

Virology

The specialized study of viruses.

Mycology

The specialized study of fungi.

Protozoology

The specialized study of protozoa.

Phytology

The specialized study of algae.

Parasitology

The specialized study of parasites.

Koch's Postulates

A set of four criteria proposed by Robert Koch to confirm that a specific microorganism is the causative agent of an infectious disease.

Prokaryotic cells

Most primitive, earliest forms of life that lack a pre-defined nucleus, contain no membrane-bound organelles, and have circular chromosomes.

Eukaryotic cells

More complex, evolved organisms containing true nuclei with linear DNA compacted as chromatin and membrane-bound organelles.

70S Ribosomes

Smaller ribosomes found in prokaryotic cells.

80S Ribosomes

Larger ribosomes found in eukaryotic cells.

Generation time ($G$)

The time required for a bacterial population to undergo one division cycle; it varies by species and environmental conditions.

Exponential growth

The manner in which bacteria divide, where one cell gives rise to 2, then 4, 8, 16, and so forth.

Lag phase

The initial phase of the bacterial growth curve where there is little to no cell division as the bacteria adjust to the environment.

Exponential (Log) phase

The phase in the bacterial growth curve where cells are dividing at their maximum rate.

Stationary phase

The phase in the bacterial growth curve where the number of new cells being produced equals the number of cells dying.

Death phase

The final phase of the bacterial growth curve where the number of dying cells exceeds the number of new cells.

Psychrophiles

Bacteria that grow optimally at temperatures between $0-5\,^{\circ}C$.

Mesophiles

Bacteria that grow optimally at temperatures between $20-45\,^{\circ}C$.

Thermophiles

Bacteria that grow optimally at or above $55\,^{\circ}C$.

Facultative anaerobic

Bacteria that can grow in either high oxygen or low oxygen conditions.

Autotrophs

Organisms that utilize inorganic nutrients or light as a source of energy.

Heterotrophs

Organisms that require organic compounds as a source of energy.

Selective medium

A growth medium that supports the growth of only certain types of microbes while inhibiting others.

Differential medium

A growth medium that causes specific microbes or the medium itself to exhibit a color change to aid in identification.

MacConkey's Agar (MAC)

A selective and differential medium that inhibits Gram-positive bacteria and uses neutral red and lactose to identify lactose fermenters.

Blood Agar (BAP)

A differential growth medium containing $5\%$ sheep blood used to detect hemolysins produced by bacteria like $\text{Streptococcus pyogenes}$. triangle.

Mannitol Salt Agar (MSA)

A selective and differential medium with $7.5\%$ $\text{NaCl}$ used to identify $\text{Staphylococcus}$ species that ferment mannitol.

Transcription

The process where RNA polymerase makes complementary RNA from a DNA sequence.

Translation

The process where an mRNA nucleotide sequence is converted into an amino acid sequence to form a protein.

Sterilization

A process that destroys $100\%$ of microbes and viruses on non-living objects or surfaces.

Disinfection

A process that destroys most, but less than $100\%$, of microorganisms and viruses on non-living tissue.

Antisepsis

The reduction in the number of microorganisms and viruses on living tissue.

Decontamination

Any process that removes microbes and debris to safe levels.

Microbicidal agents

Chemical or physical agents that kill microbes.

Microbistatic agents

Agents that temporarily inhibit the reproduction of microbes without killing them.

Autoclaving

A moist heat sterilization method involving steam under pressure, typically at $121\,^{\circ}C$ for $15\text{ min}$.

Peptidoglycan

A giant molecule made of sugars and amino acids that forms the bacterial cell wall.

Gram-positive bacteria

Bacteria with many layers of peptidoglycan that retain the primary stain (crystal violet) and appear purple/violet.

Gram-negative bacteria

Bacteria with a thin peptidoglycan layer and an outer membrane; they appear reddish-pink after safranin counterstaining.

Coccus

A spherical-shaped bacterial cell.

Bacillus

A rod-shaped bacterial cell.

Spirillum

A spiral-shaped bacterial cell.

Ubiquitous

A term describing bacteria, meaning they are found everywhere.

Chitin

The substance found in the rigid cell walls of fungi.

Hyphae

Filaments that compose the structure of moulds.

Coccidioidomycosis

A fungal infection, also known as Valley Fever, caused by $\text{Coccidioides immitis}$ through the inhalation of arthroconidia.

Arthroconidia

Highly infectious chains of spores formed by the fragmentation of hyphae in $\text{Coccidioides immitis}$.

Fungal keratitis (Keratomycosis)

An infective process of the cornea caused by fungal species like $\text{Fusarium}$, $\text{Aspergillus}$, or $\text{Candida}$ invading the ocular surface.

Bacterial Keratitis ($Bk$)

An infection and inflammation of the cornea that can cause rapid destruction within $24-48$ hours.

Corneal leukoma

Scar tissue formation with the presence of corneal vascularization resulting from bacterial keratitis.

Innate immunity

Nonspecific defense mechanisms, such as physical barriers and blood chemicals, that act immediately or within hours of an antigen's appearance.

Adaptive immunity

Immunity created in response to exposure to a foreign substance, composed of B cells and T cells.

Bactericidal drugs

Antimicrobial drugs that kill bacteria; preferred for treating severe ocular infections.

Bacteriostatic drugs

Antimicrobial drugs that inhibit the growth of bacteria rather than killing them outright.

Acyclovir

A successful antiviral agent that inhibits viral DNA and is used to treat $\text{Herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO)}$.