BIO 3020 Non-Science Majors Microbiology Lab Study Outline

These flashcards cover important terminology and concepts from the Microbiology Lab Study Outline, providing definitions and explanations pertinent for exam preparation.

PPE

Personal Protective Equipment; required attire in the lab including closed-toe shoes and gloves.

Aseptic Technique

The prevention or reduction of contamination by microorganisms.

Sterility

The absence of living organisms, spores, and viruses.

Sepsis

The presence and growth of pathogens within a living system.

Cidals

Agents that kill microorganisms.

Statics

Agents that inhibit the growth and reproduction of microorganisms without killing them.

Fimbriae

Short, hair-like proteins in bacteria that help them attach to surfaces or host cells.

Adhesin Proteins

Surface proteins on microbes enabling them to bind to host cell receptors.

Fomites

Inanimate objects that can transmit pathogens, such as doorknobs or lab equipment.

Surfactants

Compounds that reduce surface tension to help break up oils and debris during cleaning.

Amino Acids

Organic compounds that serve as the building blocks of proteins.

Peptide Bonds

Chemical bonds that link amino acids together in proteins.

Psychrophiles

Organisms that thrive at cold temperatures, specifically between -15°C to 15°C.

Mesophiles

Organisms that thrive at moderate temperatures, generally between 15°C to 30°C.

Thermophiles

Organisms that thrive at high temperatures, generally above 30°C.

Acidophiles

Microorganisms that thrive in acidic conditions (pH 1 to 6).

Halophile

An organism that requires high salt concentrations to grow.

Aerobes

Organisms that require oxygen for growth.

Anaerobes

Organisms that do not require oxygen for growth.

Motility

The ability of organisms to move or migrate.

Gram Stain

A method used to classify bacteria based on their cell wall structure.

Endospore Stain

A staining technique used to identify spore-forming bacteria.

Sporulation

The process of making spores.

Germination

The process of awakening a spore to an active cellular state.

Mycolic Acids

Long-chain fatty acids found in the cell walls of acid-fast bacteria.