High Yield All Sections Microbio

Prokaryote vs Eukaryote

Prokaryote: no nucleus, circular DNA, small. Eukaryote: nucleus, linear DNA, organelles.

Gram+ vs Gram-

Gram+: thick peptidoglycan, teichoic acids, purple. Gram-: thin peptidoglycan, outer membrane with LPS, pink.

Pathogenicity vs Virulence

Pathogenicity: ability to cause disease. Virulence: severity/degree of disease caused.

Endotoxin vs Exotoxin

Exotoxin: protein, secreted, specific, potent. Endotoxin: lipid A of LPS, Gram- only, general, less potent.

Opportunistic pathogen

Normally harmless but causes disease in immunocompromised host.

Biofilm

Microbial community in EPS; antibiotic-resistant, chronic infections.

Fimbriae vs Pili

Fimbriae: adhesion. Pili: adhesion + DNA transfer.

Light vs Electron microscopy

Light: visible light, ~1000x. Electron: uses electrons, higher resolution.

Simple vs Differential stain

Simple: one dye, morphology only. Differential: multiple dyes, distinguishes types (e.g., Gram stain).

Acid-fast bacteria

Contain mycolic acid; stained with acid-fast method (e.g., Mycobacterium).

Mutualism vs Commensalism vs Parasitism

Mutualism: both benefit. Commensalism: one benefits, other unaffected. Parasitism: one benefits, host harmed.

Resident vs Transient microbiota

Resident: long-term, stable (skin flora). Transient: temporary, may be pathogenic.

Living vs Nonliving reservoirs

Living: humans, animals. Nonliving: soil, water, food.

Mechanical vs Biological vector

Mechanical: carries pathogen externally (fly). Biological: pathogen grows/develops inside vector (mosquito-malaria).

Direct vs Indirect contact

Direct: physical contact. Indirect: via fomites (doorknob).

Local vs Focal vs Systemic infection

Local: one site. Focal: spreads from local to secondary site. Systemic: whole body via blood/lymph.

Sign vs Symptom

Sign: objective, measurable (fever, rash). Symptom: subjective (pain, fatigue).

Acute vs Chronic vs Latent disease

Acute: rapid, short (flu). Chronic: long-lasting (TB). Latent: inactive, can reactivate (herpes).

Innate vs Adaptive immunity

Innate: immediate, non-specific. Adaptive: slower, specific, memory.

Morbidity vs Mortality

Morbidity: cases of disease. Mortality: deaths from disease.

Incidence vs Prevalence

Incidence: new cases in a time period. Prevalence: total cases at a time.

Endemic vs Epidemic vs Pandemic

Endemic: always present. Epidemic: sudden increase. Pandemic: worldwide epidemic.

Quarantine vs Isolation

Quarantine: restrict exposed people. Isolation: separate infected people.

Contact tracing steps

1. Case investigation 2. Identify contacts 3. Notify contacts 4. Monitor/follow-up.

Autoclaving vs Pasteurization

Autoclaving: sterilization with steam/pressure. Pasteurization: mild heat, reduces pathogens but not sterile.

UV vs Ionizing radiation

UV = non-ionizing, thymine dimers. Ionizing = X-ray/gamma, deeper DNA damage.

Alcohol vs Quats

Alcohol: denature proteins/lipids. Quats: disrupt membranes, not sporicidal.

Beta-lactams vs Tetracyclines vs Fluoroquinolones

Beta-lactams: cell wall synthesis. Tetracyclines: block tRNA at 30S. Fluoroquinolones: inhibit DNA gyrase.

MRSA resistance

Altered PBP2a (mecA gene), resistant to all beta-lactams.

Innate vs Adaptive

Innate: fast, non-specific, no memory. Adaptive: slower, specific, memory.

Live attenuated vs Inactivated vaccines

Live attenuated: strong, long-lasting, not safe for immunocompromised. Inactivated: safe, weaker, boosters needed.

Toxoid vs Conjugate vaccines

Toxoid: inactivated toxin (e.g., tetanus). Conjugate: polysaccharide linked to protein, effective in kids.

Smallpox vs Polio

Smallpox eradicated. Polio nearly eradicated.

Herd immunity

Population-level protection when enough immune; best achieved via vaccination.