Microbiology Flashcards
(325 cards)
Extremophiles
Live under extreme conditions
Halophiles
Need high salt conditions
Thermophiles
Can thrive at temperatures betwen 60-120
Cryophiles
Grow better at tempartures of 15 or lower
Acidophile
Optimum pH level at or below 3
Alkaliphile
Optimal growth at pH levels of 9 or above
Xerophile
Grow in extremely dry, desiccating conditions
Brightfield Microscopy
0.2um resolving power, 1000x,
Mostly used gram staining
Darkfield
0.2um, 1000x
Examination of very thing organisms against dark background (spirochetes)
Phase constrast
0.2um, 1000x
To observe unstained live organisms
Fluorescence
0.2u, 1000x
Mainly for immunodiagnostic fluorescent dye attached to organism
Scanning Electron
20nm, 10,000x
Examination of surface feature of cells and viruses, gives illusion of depth (3D)
Transmission electron
0.2nm, 200,000x
Examination of cellular and viral ultra structure, reveals internal features
Gram positive vs Gram negative
Gram positive = 1 membrane and cell wall is thick
Gram negative = 2 membrane and cell wall is thin
Taxonomic catergories
Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species
Endospores
Endospores are resistant to heat, cold, drying and many chemicals and can survive for many years in soil or dust. The spores germinate after landing on moist, nutrient-rich surface and develop into vegetative state. Important for survival, but not for reproduction (dormant, metabolically active)
Flagella
Provide motility, powered by proton-motif force
Fimbriae (pili)
Hair-like structures, not associated with motility. Pili often contain an adhesin at tip which is used to bind to host cells (colonisation). Some produce sex pilli for conjugation (exchange of genetic material)
Slime layers
Gelatinous material secreted from cells used for gliding and aggregation. Formation of biofilms (dental plaque )
Capsules
Firmly attached to the cell surface and usually composed of polysaccharide. Provides protection from desiccation and immune system. Immune evasion factor
Strain
Genetic variant of a species (subtype)
Serotype
subtype that can defined by using specific antibodes
Pathovar
subtype with tissue/host specificity
Isolate
Pure microbial sample obtained from an infected individual