Bacteria Flashcards
What is microbiology
It is the study of microorganisms e.g. bacteria and fungi
What is mycology
Is the study of fungi
What is virology
Is the study of viruses
Different shapes of bacterial cells
Round (or spherical)
Rods
Spiral (or helical)
What is an endospore
And endospore is a dormant and resistant form of bacteria which is formed when conditions are unfavourable e.g. high temperatures
Types of nutrition
Autotrophic
Heterotropic
Different types of autotroph
Photosynthetic – use energy from light e.g. blue green bacteria
Chemosynthetic – use energy from chemical reactions e.g. nitrifying bacteria
Types of heterotrophs
Saprophytic- A saprophyte feeds or nonliving organic matter e.g. bacteria of decay (“decomposers” in soil)
Parasitic – a parasite feeds on a living thing (The host) causing it harm e.g. MRSA
Environmental factors affecting growth
Temperature PH Oxygen concentration External Solute concentration Pressure
Definition of antibiotics
They are chemicals produced by bacteria and fungi that kill other bacteria and fungi, but not viruses
Who invented penicillin
Alexander Fleming
How can bacteria acquire antibiotic resistance
Mutation
Gene transfer
What is mutation
– Mutations in bacterial genes (DNA) can result in bacteria evolving and becoming antibiotic resistant
What is gene transfer
DNA from plasmids of resistant bacteria is passed on to bacteria that don’t have them
Examples of antibiotics misuse
Patience not completing a full course of antibiotics
In agriculture – giving antibiotics to animals
