Intro to Microorganisms - Infectious Agents/microbes

Question 1

List the six stages of the Chain of Infection model

Answer 1

Infectious Agent, Reservoir, Exit Portal, Mode of Transmission, Entry Portal, Susceptible Host.

Question 2

Define Standard Precautions

Answer 2

Practices/actions we take to protect both the patient and healthcare professional from healthcare related infections.

Question 3

Give examples of some standard precautions

Answer 3

Hand hygiene, PPE, patient placement, isolation, disposal of sharp objects, appropriate handling of linen, routine environmental cleaning, waste management, cough etiquette, cleaning reusable medical equipment/instruments, aseptic non-touch technique.

Question 4

Describe a Prokaryote (Bacteria) cell

Answer 4

• DNA not enclosed in membrane, no true nucleus, DNA is one continuous loop of chromosome.
• Do not have membrane-bound organelles
• Cells multiply by binary fission
• Simpler cell.

Question 5

Describe a Eukaryote cell

Answer 5

• DNA is in the Nucleus
• Membrane enclosed organelles
• More complex cell

Question 6

When naming a cellular microorganism, which comes first? species or genus?

Answer 6

Genus

Question 7

Name the 3 types of bacteria

Answer 7

Resident, beneficial and opportunist

Question 8

Species that are always in or on the human body are known as?

Answer 8

Resident microflora

Question 9

List some characteristics of beneficial bacteria

Answer 9

• Crowd out and prevent infection by harmful bacteria

- Assist with various body processes

Question 10

Describe an opportunist bacteria

Answer 10

Microflora that is potentially harmful and can cause disease under certain conditions. e.g E. coli

Question 11

List the bacterial structures.

Answer 11

Capsule, cell wall, cell membrane, cytoplasm, ribosome, chromosome, plasmid, pili, flagellum & endospore.

Question 12

list the functions of each structure: Capsule, cell wall, cell membrane, cytoplasm, ribosome, chromosome, plasmid, pili, flagellum & endospore.

Answer 12

1. Outer layer, protects, aids attachment, fixed regular shape.
2. Rigid structure, contains peptidoglycan, offers protection from environmental factors
3. “Security” of the cell, semi-permeable, controls what comes in and out of cell.
4. Jelly-like fluid inside cell membrane.
5. Makes proteins
6. Continuous loop of DNA
7. ‘Bonus’ piece of DNA
8. Helps attachment, thin hair-like found on surface of cell
9. For movement
10. ‘Survival mode system’ VERY resistant to heat.

Question 13

What is a gram stain test used for?

Answer 13

First step in the identification of bacterial species

Question 14

What are disease causing microorganisms called?

Answer 14

Pathogens

Question 15

Do gram positive bacteria have a thicker or thinner layer of peptidoglycan?

Answer 15

Thicker

Question 16

Are fungi prokaryotes or eukaryotes?

Answer 16

Eukaryotes

Question 17

What are unicellular fungi called?

Answer 17

Yeasts

Question 18

What are multicellular fungi called?

Answer 18

Moulds

Question 19

Name a superficial fungal infection.

Answer 19

Athletes foot or Ringworm

Question 20

Name a systemic fungal infection.

Answer 20

Aspergillosis

Question 21

Are protozoa prokaryotes or eukaryotes?

Answer 21

Eukaryotes

Question 22

Protozoa are classified by the way they ___________

Answer 22

Move

Question 23

List three ways a protozoa moves.

Answer 23

Cilia, flagella, pseudopodia, or through a vector e.g mosquito

Question 24

List two protozoan infections that can occur in humans.

Answer 24

Malaria, Giardiasis

Question 25

A protozoa forms a _________ when conditions are unfavourable

Answer 25

Cyst

Question 26

List main characteristic of fungi

Answer 26

Eukaryote cell, very diverse, classified by how they reproduce.

Question 27

Where would you find yeasts?

Answer 27

In soil, water & surfaces of fruit and vegetables.

Question 28

Give an example of an opportunist fungal infection

Answer 28

Vaginal or oral thrush.

Question 29

Describe the structure of viruses

Answer 29

RNA/DNA, Capsid, envelope, protein spikes

Question 30

What does obligate intracellular parasite mean?

Answer 30

A virus needs a host cell in order to replicate.

Question 31

List the 5 steps of viral replication.

Answer 31

Attachment, Entry/Uncoating, Replication, Assembly, Release.

Question 32

Name two examples of common viral infections.

Answer 32

Common cold, Influenza, Coronavirus/Covid 19, Measles, Mumps

Question 33

What characteristics distinguish viruses from cellular organisms?

Answer 33

Are acellular (no cell structure)
Requires a host to replicate
Host-cell specific