Intro to Micro Notes

Microbiology

The study of organisms too small to be seen without magnification.

Microorganisms

Microscopic organisms, also referred to as "microbes."

Acellular

Prion and virus.

Cellular

Bacteria, archaeon, fungi, and protozoa.

Medical microbiology

A branch of medical science concerned with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of infectious diseases.

Pathology

The study of disease, including structural and functional changes associated with disease.

Prokaryote

Microscopic, unicellular organisms that lack nuclei and membrane-bound organelles, such as bacteria and archaea.

Eukaryote

Organisms that can be unicellular or multicellular, have a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, such as algae, protozoa, molds, yeast, and certain worms and arthropods.

Viruses

Acellular, parasitic particles composed only of a nucleic acid (DNA or RNA) and protein.

Prions

"Proteinaceous infectious particles" consisting of only proteins and simpler than viruses.

Photosynthesis

Light-fueled conversion of carbon dioxide to organic material.

Decomposition

Breakdown of dead matter and wastes into simple compounds.

Biotechnology

Production of foods, drugs, and vaccines using living organisms.

Genetic engineering

Manipulating the genes of organisms to make new products.

Bioremediation

Using living organisms to remedy an environmental problem.

Parasites

Microorganisms that live on or in the body of another organism and cause damage to the host.

Pathogens

Microorganisms that cause disease by infecting the host.

Human microbiome

The collection of microbes harbored by a person, including resident and transient microbes.

Probiotics

Introducing known microbes back into the body.

Spontaneous Generation

The early belief that some forms of life could arise from nonliving or decomposing matter.

Germ Theory of Disease

The theory that diseases are caused by the growth of microbes in the body.

Macromolecules

Carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids.

Carbohydrates

Provide energy to cells and structural support, including monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides.

Lipids

Insoluble in water and used primarily for energy, including fats and phospholipids.

Proteins

Predominate organic molecules, consisting of amino acids and important for various functions such as enzymes and antibodies.

Nucleic acids

Made up of nucleotides and include DNA and RNA.

Taxonomy

Organizing, classifying, and naming microorganisms.

Binomial nomenclature

The formal system of naming organisms using two names, genus and species.

     Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes (1843 - US)

observed that mothers of home births had fewer infections than those who gave birth in hospitals

  Dr. Ignaz Semmelweis (1850 - Austria)

correlated infections with physicians coming directly from the autopsy room to the maternity ward and acknowledged the Importance of hand washing

       Joseph Lister (1867 - Scotland)

introduced aseptic techniques to reduce microbes in medical settings and prevent wound infections, Involved disinfection of hands using chemicals prior to surgery, and the Use of heat for sterilization

Louis Pasteur

     Showed that microbes caused fermentation and spoilage

•       Disproved spontaneous generation of microorganisms (Swan Neck Experiment)

•       Developed pasteurization

•       Heat treat followed by rapid chilling of perishables

Robert Koch

•       Established Koch’s postulates

•       a sequence of experimental steps that verified the germ theory

•       Identified cause of anthrax, tuberculosis, and cholera

•       Developed pure culture methods