Ch. 7 Microbiol Growth/Decontamination

The asexual process where one prokaryotic cell divides into two identical cells is called _____.

Binary fission

Binary fission is distinct from other forms of reproduction because it does not introduce _____ variability.

Genetic

The specific time required for a particular species of cell to divide is known as the _____.

Generation time

Generation time is calculated by dividing the total growth time by the _____.

Number of generations

Bacterial growth is described as _____ because every cell produced divides into two more cells.

Exponential

The _____ phase of the growth curve involves bacteria acclimating to their environment without population growth.

Lag

Rapid, exponential population growth occurs during the _____ phase of the growth curve.

Log

In the _____ phase, the rate of cell death is equal to the rate of cell division.

Stationary

The _____ phase occurs when the rate of cell death exceeds the rate of cell division.

Death

Bacteria are most susceptible to antimicrobial agents during the _____ phase because they are metabolically active.

Log

Microbes that thrive in very cold environments, such as a freezer, are classified as _____.

Psychrophiles

Organisms that grow in the refrigerator (at approximately $5^{\circ}C$) are called _____.

Psychrotrophs

Most pathogens are classified as _____ because they grow best at human body temperature ($37^{\circ}C$).

Mesophiles

Microbes that thrive in hot environments like boiling water are classified as _____.

Extreme thermophiles

High temperatures are lethal to bacteria because they cause essential proteins to _____.

Denature

Microbes that grow best in a pH range between 5 and 8 are known as _____.

Neutralophiles

An organism that has an absolute dependence on oxygen for its cellular processes is an _____.

Obligate aerobe

_____ use only small amounts of atmospheric oxygen and have a reduced ability to detoxify reactive oxygen species (ROS).

Microaerophiles

An organism that does not use oxygen but can tolerate its presence is called an _____.

Aerotolerant anaerobe

_____ die in the presence of oxygen because they lack the ability to detoxify reactive oxygen species (ROS).

Obligate anaerobes

A _____ can thrive in both aerobic and anaerobic environments.

Facultative anaerobe

Complex microbial communities that communicate and collaborate to survive on surfaces are called _____.

Biofilms

Unlike reproduction, the formation of _____ is strictly a survival mechanism for certain bacteria.

Endospores

_____ refers to measures that remove or reduce microbial populations to make an object safe for handling.

Decontamination

The process that eliminates all bacteria, including endospores and viruses, is called _____.

Sterilization

_____ is a process that reduces microbial numbers but may not eliminate all organisms or endospores.

Disinfection

Germicides that are safe enough to be applied to living tissues are called _____.

Antiseptics

_____ are germicides used to treat inanimate objects like hospital beds or counters.

Disinfectants

A germicide that inhibits the growth of microbes without killing them is described as _____.

Microbiostatic

A _____ germicide is one that is designed to actively kill microbes.

Microbicidal

Medical tools that come into contact with sterile body sites or the vascular system are categorized as _____ equipment.

Critical

_____ equipment, such as anesthesia tubing, comes into contact with mucous membranes or nonintact skin.

Semicritical

Non-invasive items like stethoscopes and blood pressure cuffs are categorized as _____ equipment.

Noncritical

To achieve sterilization, an autoclave must apply moisture, high heat, and _____.

Pressure

Low-level germicides typically control microbial growth by targeting _____.

Lipid membranes

High-level germicides are effective because they target proteins, nucleic acids, and _____ agents.

Oxidizing

The metabolic state of _____ dangerously lowers blood pH due to the buildup of ketones from fat catabolism.

Ketoacidosis

The anaerobic bacterium _____ is known for causing gas gangrene in infected wounds.

Clostridium perfringens

In a true infection, the _____ phase can increase continuously because the body provides a sustained supply of nutrients.

Log

A standard bacterial growth curve is typically observed when bacteria are grown in a _____ environment, such as a test tube.

Closed