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Microorganisms
Organisms invisible to the naked eye, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, and some parasites, mostly harmless but some pathogenic.
Infection
The penetration of a microorganism into a host organism, producing apparent or inapparent changes that may result in disease.
Colonization
Establishment and multiplication of microorganisms in/on the body without producing any apparent or inapparent change.
Contamination
Deposition of microorganisms without multiplication.
Pathogenicity
The ability of a microorganism to produce disease.
Virulence
The relative capacity of a microorganism to cause damage resulting in disease; the degree of pathogenicity.
Opportunistic pathogens
Microorganisms that rarely cause disease in healthy individuals but can cause infections in those with compromised defenses.
Phagocytosis
The process by which certain cells (e.g., macrophages) engulf and destroy bacteria.
Antibody
An immunoglobulin produced in response to stimulation by an antigen, capable of specifically reacting with that antigen.
Antigen
A substance capable of inducing a specific immune response, including the production of antibodies.
Exotoxins
Toxins produced and released by living bacteria that can damage host tissues.
Endotoxins
Toxic substances associated with the bacterial cell, released when the cell disintegrates.
Bacterial resistance mechanisms
Methods by which bacteria defend against antibiotics, including altered targets, inactivating enzymes, and decreased uptake.
Passive immunization
Administration of preformed antibodies against a specific microbial agent, often providing immediate but short-lived protection.
Active immunization
Stimulation of the body's immune response through administration of an antigen (usually vaccine form), leading to long-lasting protective immunity because the host produces its own antibodies.
Culture media
Nutrient material used to grow and isolate microorganisms for study and identification.
Gram-positive bacteria
Bacteria with a thick peptidoglycan cell wall that retain crystal violet dye during the Gram staining process.
Gram-negative bacteria
Bacteria with a thinner peptidoglycan layer and an outer membrane that do not retain the crystal violet dye in the Gram staining process.
Psychrophiles
Microorganisms that thrive at low temperatures, typically between 15 to 20°C.
Mesophiles
Microorganisms that grow best at moderate temperatures, typically between 25 to 40°C.
Thermophiles
Microorganisms that grow best at high temperatures, typically between 50 to 60°C.
Selective media
Media designed to enhance growth of one kind of microorganism while suppressing others.
Differential media
Media that differentiate organisms based on characteristic appearances in the culture.
Anaerobic microorganisms
Microorganisms that cannot grow in the presence of oxygen.
Facultative microorganisms
Microorganisms that can grow in both oxygen-rich and oxygen-poor environments.
Direct ELISA
A test that directly detects an antigen in a sample.
Indirect ELISA (enzyme-linked
A test that detects antibodies in a sample.
