Microbiology An introduction (Tortora) Ch. 1 Questions and Answers

Microbiology An introduction (Tortora) Ch. 1 Questions and Answers Microbes (Microorganisms) Minute living things individually too small to be seen w/ unaided eye. Includes bacteria, protozoa, microscopic algae, archaea, fungi, multicellular animal parasites Pathogenic microorganisms Disease-carrying organisms that are too small to be seen with the naked eye Genus (biology) taxonomic group containing one or more species Specific eithet (species) Name that follows genus, not capitalized. Bacteria (singular bacterium) Simple, single-celled, prokaryotic organisms, have peptidoglycan cell walls, reproduce through binary fission. Make energy by use of organic and inorganic chemicals, and/or through photosynthesis Prokaryotes A single-celled organism that has no nucleus and has no membrane-bound organelles Archaea Prokaryotic single-celled organisms that lack peptidoglycan in their cells walls. Live in extreme environments. Divided into three subsets: Methanogens, Extreme Halophiles, Thermophiles. Fungi (sing: fungus) Eukaryotes, Chitin cell walls, Use organic chemicals for energy, Molds and mushrooms are multicellular, consisting of masses of mycelia, which are composed of filaments called hyphae. Yeasts are unicellular Eukaryotes All multicellular and unicellular nonbacteria organisms. Bounded by a cell membrane and contains cytoplasm. cytoplasm contains organelles suspended in a semifluid medium called cytosol. The genetic material consists of linear strands of DNA organized into chromosomes located in the nucleus. Protozoa (sing: protozoan) Eukaryotes, Absorb or ingest organic chemicals. May be motile via pseudopods, cilia, or flagella. Protozoa have no cell wall. Have a thickening of their cell membrane, but have no cell wall Algae (sing: alga) Eukaryotes, Cellulose cell walls. Use photosynthesis for energy. Produce molecular oxygen and organic compounds Viruses Acellular, Consists of DNA or RNA core, Core is surrounded by a protein coat, Coat may be enclosed in a lipid envelope, Are replicated only when they are in a living host cell Helminths Parasitic flatworms and roundworms Cell Theory Theory that all living things are composed of cells Spontaneous generation Hypothesis stating that life could arise from nonliving matter. Biogenesis the production of living organisms from other living organisms Aseptic techniques Techniques that prevent contamination by unwanted microorganisms, which are now standard practice in laboratory and medical procedures Fermentation Conversion of sugar to alcohol to make wine and beer. Microorganisms called yeasts convert sugars to alcohol in the absence of air. Pasteurization Solution credited to Pasteur for spoilage. A process of heating food to a temperature that is high enough to kill most harmful bacteria without changing the taste of the food. Germ theory of disease Idea that infectious diseases are caused by microorganisms, or germs. Koch's postulates Sequence of experimental steps used for directly relating a specific microbe to a specific disease Immunity Production or recovery from disease either through vaccine or through prior illness of disease Chemotherapy A drug that targets rapidly reproducing cells in an effort to combat cancer. Administered via intravenous drugs, often causes hair loss, nausea, and nutritional deficiencies, along with radiation treatment, it may also cause long-term damage to the heart, brain, and other organs Antibiotics Drugs that block the growth and reproduction of bacteria Synthetic drugs Chemotherapeutic agents prepared from chemicals in the laboratory Bacteriology Study of bacteria Mycology Study of fungi Parasitology Study of parasites Genomics Study and comparison of genomes within a single species or among different species. Has provided new tools for classifying microorganisms Immunology Science concerned with understanding the immune system and the many factors that are involved with producing both acquired and innate immunity. Virology The study of viruses and viral diseases. Recombinant DNA A DNA molecule made in vitro with segments from different sources. (ex. in 1960's Paul Berg inserted animal DNA into bacterial DNA, and the bacteria produced an animal protein) Recombinant DNA technology A series of techniques in which DNA fragments are linked to self-replicating vectors to create recombinant DNA molecules, which are replicated in a host cell (example: human insulin) Microbial Genetics Studies the mechanisms by which microorganisms inherit traits Molecular biology Studies how genetic information is carried in molecules of DNA and how DNA directs the synthesis of proteins Microbial Ecology Study of relationship between microoganisms and their environment Bioremediation Bacteria degrade organic matter in sewage. Bacteria degrade or detoxify pollutants such as oil and mercury. Toxins can be removed from underground wells, chemical spills, toxic waste sites, and oil spills. Biotechnoogy Use of microorganisms to produce some common foods and chemicals. Is centuries old (ex. manufacture of insulin) Gene therapy inserting a missing gene or replacing a defective one. Missing or defective genes in human cells can be replaced in this process Normal microbiota the natural microorganisms that do not harm and sometimes benefit the body by protection from disease and produce useful substances (e.g. K and B vitamins) Resistance Ability of the the body to ward off disease. Biofilm A complex aggregation of microbes. Microbes attach to solid surfaces and grow into masses (e.g. rocks, pipes, teeth, medical implants, etc.) Infectious disease A disease in which pathogens invade a host such as human or animal. Emerging infectious diseases (EID's) New or changing diseases showing an increased incidence in the recent past or a potential to increase in the near future Flesh-eating bacteria bacteria that destroys tissue underlining the skin Cryptosporidiosis Protozoan (microorganisms that live on dead matter in water & soil) that INFECTS EPITHELIAL CELLS OF GI TRACT, transmission is fecal-oral route, but can be spread from animal to person as well as person to person and ingesting contaminated food & water. AIDs A serious (often fatal) disease of the immune system transmitted through blood products especially by sexual contact or contaminated needles. Often called acquired immunodeficiency disease Human Immunodeficiency Disease Sexually transmitted disease. Antiretroviral drugs are helpful in prevention of it's spread to infant during pregnancy. In the U.S. it is recommended that women do not breastfeed. In developing countries exclusive breastfeeding is recommended Germ Refers to a rapidly growing cell Microbe Characteristics Decompose organic waste; Are producers in the ecosystem by photosynthesis; Produce industrial chemicals such as ethanol and acetone; Produce fermented foods such as vinegar, cheese, and bread; Produce products used in manufacturing (e.g., cellulase) and disease treatment (e.g., insulin) Sacrophytes Decomposers of organic waste Joseph Lister A surgeon who used carbolic acid (phenol) to control wound infections. First to use aseptic techniques. Proved microbes cause surgical wound infections Anton Von Lewenhoek First to create microscope Robert Hooke First to use the microscope to observe "cells," and first to report that living things are composed of little 'boxes' (cells). Fransesco Redi In 1668, demonstrated that maggots appeared only in decaying meat that had been exposed to flies. John Needham Heated broth in sealed flasks. When the broth became cloudy with microorganisms, he mistakenly concluded that they developed spontaneously from the broth.