Bacterial Pathogenesis

Question 1

Pathogen

Answer 1

Microorganisms that cause disease

-can be either commensals and foreign

Question 2

Opportunistic Pathogen

Answer 2

Cause disease when defense mechanisms have been compromised

Question 3

Normal Microbiota

Answer 3

• Found on the skin and mucous membranes

- Contribute to efficient immune system and host metabolism

Question 4

Virulent Organism

Answer 4

One that is most likely to be the cause of disease

Question 5

Avirulent Organism

Answer 5

One that will not cause disease in a host with a normal immune system

Question 6

Virulence Determinants

Answer 6

Characteristics that make organism virulent

• pili, fimbriae, siderophores, capsules
• Can undergo HGT

Question 7

Colonization

Answer 7

Adhesins (ligands), polarized receptors on epithelial cells, fribriae, pili, capsules and slime layers to attach to epithelial cells and start to colonize locally

Question 8

Capsule

Answer 8

A glycocalyx coat that adheres firmly to the cell envelope

Question 9

Slime layer

Answer 9

Loose, unorganized glycocalyx that can be easily removed

-biofilms

Question 10

Penetration

Answer 10

• Not always necessary

- into cells (receptor mediated endocytosis), between cells, or damage