Microbiology 1

Vocabulary flashcards based on microbiology lecture notes.

Microbiology

The study of microorganisms, living things ordinarily too small to be seen without magnification.

Microorganisms

Microscopic organisms.

Microbes or germs

Terms used for microorganisms in reference to their role in infection and disease (pathogens).

Prokaryotes

Bacteria & Archaea.

Eukaryotes

Algae, Fungi & Protozoa.

Three Domains of Life

Domain Eucarya, Domain Bacteria, Domain Archaea.

Bacteria

A major group of microorganisms; cellular.

Fungi

A major group of microorganisms; cellular.

Algae

A major group of microorganisms; cellular.

Protozoa

A major group of microorganisms; cellular.

Viruses

A major group of microorganisms; acellular; relies on a living host.

Helminths

A major group of microorganisms; cellular; parasitic worms.

Classification

The arrangement of organisms into taxonomic groups (taxa) based on similarities or relationships.

Nomenclature

Assigning names to various taxa according to international rules.

Identification

Determining if an isolate belongs to an established named taxa or represents a previously unidentified species.

Domain

A giant, all-inclusive category based on a unique cell type.

Kingdom

A taxonomic rank below domain.

Phylum

Taxonomic rank for protozoa, animals, and bacteria.

Division

Taxonomic rank for algae, plants, and fungi.

Class

A taxonomic rank below phylum/division.

Order

A taxonomic rank below class.

Family

A taxonomic rank below order.

Genus

A taxonomic rank below family.

Species

The smallest and most specific taxon.

Binomial system of nomenclature

The method of assigning the scientific or specific name consisting of two names.

Phylogeny

The natural relatedness between groups of living things.

Monerans (Prokaryotae)

Bacteria and Archaea (no true nucleus).

Acidophiles

Extremely acidic (pH 2-5).

Alkaliphiles

Extremely alkaline (pH > 8.5).

Thermophiles / Sternothermophiles

Extremely hot.

Psychrophiles/Cryophiles

Extremely cold.

Piezophiles / Barophiles

Extremely high pressure.

Halophiles

Extremely salty.

Haloduric

An organism that does not prefer to live in salty environments but is capable of surviving there.

Inoculation

Producing a culture by introducing a tiny sample into a container of nutrient medium.

Incubation

Using an incubator to create and maintain appropriate growth temperature and other conditions.

Isolation

Separating one species from another.

Inspection

Observing colonies or broth cultures macroscopically for growth characteristics.

Identification

Using relevant data from initial inspection and additional tests to describe and differentiate microbes.

Prokaryote

Cell without a nucleus.

Eukaryote

Cell with a nucleus.

Species Designation

A species is designated by 'sp.'

Multiple Species Designation

Multiple species are designated by 'spp.'

Subspecific Epithet Designation

Subspecific epithet is designated by 'ssp.'

Phylogenetic Tree

A tree that shows the evolutionary relationships among different species or other entities.

Streak Plate

A method to cultivate microbes where a sample is spread across a solid medium.

Culture

Visible growth of a microbe in or on a medium.

Pure Culture

A culture that contains only a single species of microbe.

Colonies

Mounds of cells on solid media.

Turbidity

Free-floating cells in broths.

Subculturing

The process of taking growth from an isolated colony to inoculate a separate medium.

Nucleoid

The genetic material found in prokaryotic cells.

Serial Dilution

A method that is used to dilute a sample for accurate reading.

Phagocytosis

The engulfment of cells or particles by another cell.

Epidemiology

The scientific study of epidemics and diseases.

Etiological Agent

The cause of a disease or infection.

Chemotrophs

Cells that can get energy from inorganic sources.

Biome

Collection of microbes in a habitat.

Chemotherapy

Chemicals for the therapy of a disease.

Germ Theory of Disease

Theory that a disease is caused by living organisms.

Incubation Period

The time between exposure to an infection and the appearance of the first symptoms.

Culture Medium

A liquid or solid medium used to grow microorganisms.

Decomposition

The process by which cells break down complex compounds into simpler substances.

Transformation

The process by which a cell takes up foreign DNA.

Aerobic Bacteria

Bacteria with the ability to create oxygen.

Nitrogen-fixing Bacteria

Bacteria that convert atmospheric nitrogen into a form usable by plants.

Microbial Suspension

A solution containing a known number of microbial cells.

Autoclave

A device used to sterilize equipment and media by subjecting them to high pressure saturated steam.

Fermentation

A process by which microorganisms convert sugars into acids or alcohol.

Germicide

A substance that kills microbes.

Sterilization

The removal or destruction of all microorganisms and other biological entities.

Pathogenicity

The ability to cause disease

Virulence

The degree of pathogenicity

Ribosomes

Structures in cells that make proteins.

Gram Staining

A staining technique that differentiates between Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.

Gram-positive Bacteria

A bacterium that retains the crystal violet stain in Gram staining procedure.

Gram-negative Bacteria

A bacterium that does not retain the crystal violet stain in Gram staining procedure.

Capsule

A polysaccharide layer that lies outside the cell wall.

Endospore

A dormant, tough and temporarily inactive form of a bacterial cell.

Flagella

Appendages attached to the cell which are used for movement.

Pili

Short, hair-like structures on the surface of some cells.

Binary Fission

The process where bacteria reproduce by dividing into two identical daughter cells.

Genotype

The genetic constitution of an individual organism.

Phenotype

The observable characteristics of an individual organism.

Mutation

A change in the nucleotide sequence of DNA.

Conjugation

The transfer of genetic material between bacterial cells by direct cell-to-cell contact.

Bacteriophage

A virus that infects bacteria.

Plasmid

A circular DNA molecule capable of autonomous replication.

Saprophyte

An organism that uses dead organic material as a source of nutrients.

Mycology

The study of fungi.

Yeast

A unicellular fungus.

Mold

A filamentous fungus.

Mycelium

The body of a multicellular fungus.

Hypha

The basic structural unit of fungi.

Mycosis

A disease caused by a fungus.

Plankton

Microscopic algae that float freely in water.

Protozoan

A unicellular eukaryotic organism that lacks a cell wall.

Cyst

A dormant form of protozoa that is resistant to adverse environmental conditions.

Trophozoite

A motile, feeding stage of protozoa.

Vector

A disease-transmitting arthropod.