Chapter 5 Key Terms

Question 1

Personal Service Worker (PSW)

Answer 1

An individual whose work brings the individual into direct contact with other individuals (healthcare professionals and allied health workers)

Question 2

Microbiology

Answer 2

The scientific study of microscopic organisms and their effects

Question 3

Microorganisms

Answer 3

Tiny organisms such as viruses, Protozoa or bacteria that can only be seen under a microscope

Question 4

Microbes

Answer 4

Microscopic organisms, especially those that transmit disease

Question 5

Bacteria

Answer 5

Single-celled parasitic microorganisms with no nuclei or organized cell structure responsible for decay, fermentation and many plant and animal diseases

Question 6

Fungi

Answer 6

Organisms that reproduce by spies and live by absorbing nutrients from organic matter

Question 7

Virus

Answer 7

A minute particle that lives as a parasite in plants, animals and bacteria; diseases caused by viruses are also called viruses

Question 8

Protozoa

Answer 8

Single celled organisms (ie amoeba)

Question 9

Algae

Answer 9

Mainly aquatic, plantlike organisms that lack leaves, roots and stems

Question 10

Pathogenic

Answer 10

Causing or able to cause disease
(On the PATH to destruction)

Question 11

Antibiotics

Answer 11

Substances that can kill or inactivate bacteria in the body; derived from microorganisms or synthetics

Question 12

Saprophytes

Answer 12

Microbes that obtain food from dead or decaying organic matter

Question 13

Psychrophiles

Answer 13

Organisms that grow optionally at lower temperatures, between 0 and 20C

Question 14

Mesophiles

Answer 14

Organisms that grow optimally between 25 and 45C

Question 15

Thermophiles

Answer 15

Organisms that grow optionally between 50 and 80C

Question 16

Extreme thermophiles

Answer 16

Organisms capable of growing at extremely high temps between 80 and 100C

Question 17

Spore

Answer 17

A protective structure produced by algae, fungi, and some Protozoa

Question 18

Endospore

Answer 18

The inner layer of the wall of a spore

Question 19

Coccus

Answer 19

Spherical microorganism, especially bacteria

Question 20

Cocci

Answer 20

Plural for coccus, a pathogenic bacteria

Question 21

Bacillus

Answer 21

An aerobic, rod shaped, spore producing bacterium

Question 22

Spirillum

Answer 22

Spiral shaped bacterium

Question 23

Diplococcus

Answer 23

A common type of cocci that grows in semicircular pairs

Question 24

Staphylococcus

Answer 24

A bacterium that typically occurs in clusters, resembling grapes, normally inhabit the skin and mucous membranes

Question 25

Streptococcus

Answer 25

A spherical, bacterium, growing in pairs or chains, that often causes disease, (ie scarlet fever, strep, throat, pneumonia)

Question 26

Flagella

Answer 26

Hair-like projections found on bacilli that self propel them through liquids

Question 27

Cilia

Answer 27

Tiny, thread-like structures used by bacilli to propel themselves through liquids

Question 28

Motility

Answer 28

Movement by independent means

Question 29

Parasites

Answer 29

Plants or animals that live on or in other, larger host organisms, in ways that harm, or do not benefit the host

Question 30

Hypha

Answer 30

The elongated appendage of a fungal spore

Question 31

Amoeba

Answer 31

Single celled organism found in water and example soil

Question 32

Hepatitis

Answer 32

Inflammation of the liver, causing fever, jaundice, abdominal pain, and weakness

Question 33

HIV

Answer 33

Virus that destroys the immune system‘s helper T cells, the loss of which causes AIDS

Question 34

AIDS

Answer 34

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, or syndrome affecting the body’s immune system; caused by HIV

Question 35

Syndrome

Answer 35

A group of signs and symptoms that together, characterize a disease or disorder

Question 36

Antiseptics

Answer 36

Agents that prevent or reduce infection by eliminating, or reducing the growth of microorganisms

Question 37

Bacteriostats

Answer 37

Substances that restrict the growth and activity of bacteria, but do not kill them

Question 38

Fungistats

Answer 38

Substances that inhibit the growth of fungi without killing them

Question 39

Glutaraldehyde

Answer 39

An oily, water, soluble liquid used as a disinfectant and biological fixative (C5H8O2)

Question 40

Asepsis

Answer 40

Condition in which no living disease-causing microorganisms are present

Question 41

Sepsis

Answer 41

The condition or syndrome caused by microorganisms or their toxins in the tissue or bloodstream

Question 42

Autoclave

Answer 42

Airtight chamber that sterilizes through the use of steam and high temperature under pressure

Question 43

Ethylene oxide

Answer 43

Chemical agent used in sealed cabinets to sterilize materials

Question 44

Ultrasonic

Answer 44

Sound waves with frequencies above the upper limit of the normal range of human hearing

Question 45

Isolyser

Answer 45

Container used for collecting and disposing of needles

Question 46

Anaphoresis

Answer 46

Use of a negative pole to force an alkaline product into the skin, toward the positive pole

Question 47

Cataphoresis

Answer 47

The process of using a positive pole to introduce an acidic product into the skin, toward the negative pole. Oh sure babe.

Question 48

Lancets

Answer 48

Sharp tools used for breaking the skin

Question 49

Biohazardous

Answer 49

Relating to toxic or infectious agents that may pose a risk to humans or their environments