Microbiology Vocab Flashcards
(162 cards)
1
Q
Microbiology
A
a specialized area of biology that deals with living things that are too small to be seen without magnification
2
Q
Microscopic
A
So small that is only visible by microscop
3
Q
Microorganism/Microbe
A
are microscopic organisms
4
Q
bacteria
A
Category of prokaryotes with peptidoglycan in their cell walls and circular chromosomes. Widely distributed in all earths environments.
5
Q
Archae
A
Prokaryotic single-celled organisms of primitive origin that have an unusual anatomy, physiology, and genetics. Live in very harsh environments.
6
Q
Protozoa
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A group of single celled eukaryotic organisms
7
Q
Fungi
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Macroscopic and microscopic heterotrophic eukaryotic organisms that cand be single or multi cellular organisms.
8
Q
Helminths
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A term that designates all parasitic worms
9
Q
Virus
A
Microscopic, acellular agent composed of nucleic acid surrounded by a protein coat
10
Q
Algae
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Photosynthetic, plantlike organisms that generally lack the complex structure of plants; they may be single-celled or multicellular and inhabit diverse habitats such as marine and freshwater environments, glaciers and hot springs
11
Q
Eukaryotic cells
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Differs from prokaryote because it has a nuclear membrane, a well defined nucleus, membrane bound sub-cellular organelles, and mitotic cell division
12
Q
Prokaryotic cells
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Small cells, lacking special structures such as a nucleus and organelles. All prokaryotes are microorganisms
13
Q
Ubiquitous
A
Occur everywhere and are essential to life
14
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Theory of Evolution
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the accumulation of changes that occur in organisms as they adapt to their environments
15
Q
Photosynthesis
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light-fueled conversion of carbon dioxide to organic material accompanied by the formation of O2
16
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Bioremediation
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The use of microorganisms, either naturally occurring or artificially introduced, to restore stability or clean up toxic pollutants
17
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Biotechnology
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when humans manipulate microbes to make products in an industrialized setting
18
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Genetic engineering
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An area of biotechnology that manipulates the genetics of microbes, plants, and animals for creating new products and genetically modified organisms (GMOs)
19
Q
Recombinant DNA technology
A
The transfer of genetic material from one organism to another to deliberately alter the DNA and produce a specific product
20
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Pathogens
A
microbes that cause disease
21
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infectious disease
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Any disease caused by a microbe is term an infectious disease
22
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Organelles
A
membrane-bound structures that perform specific functions
–Examples: nucleus, mitochondria, chloroplasts
–Only some eukaryotes are microorganisms
23
Q
Viruses
A
NOT independently living cellular organisms
–Exist at the level of complexity somewhere between large molecules and cells
24
Q
Spontaneous generation
A
the belief that invisible vital forces present in matter led to the creation of life
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Sterile
completely free of all life forms including spores
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germ theory of disease
established a link between a microbe and the disease it caused
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Macromolecules
very large molecules
| •Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids
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Monomers/polymers
Monomers are a simple molecule that can be linked by chemical bonds to form larger polymers
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Hexose, Pentose, Glucose, Fructose, Lactose, Maltose, Sucrose
Carbohydrate: generally represented by the chemical formula (CH2O)n
•Monosaccharides and disaccharides are specified by combining a prefix that describes some characteristic of the sugar with the suffix –ose
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Cellulose
a long, fibrous polymer composed of β-glucose
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Agar
important component of culture media
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Chitin
cell wall found in fungi
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Peptidoglycan
component of the bacterial cell wall
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Lipopolysaccharide
component of the gram-negative cell wall
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Glycocalyx
functions in attachment or as a site for receptors
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Triglycerides
Important storage lipid
| Composed of a single molecule of glycerol bound to three fatty acids
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Cholesterol
reinforces the structure of the cell membrane in animal cells and mycoplasmas
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Protein
predominant organic molecule in cells
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Amino acids
building blocks of proteins
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Peptide
a molecule composed of short chains of amino acids
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Polypeptide
contains an unspecified number of amino acids but usually has more than 20 and is often a smaller subunit of a protein
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Primary structure (1°)
the type, number, and order of amino acids in the chain
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Secondary structure (2°)
arises when functional groups exposed on the outer surface of the molecule interact by forming hydrogen bonds
- alpha helix
- beta-pleated sheet
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Tertiary structure (3°)
created by additional bonds between functional groups
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Quaternary structure (4°)
formed when more than one polypeptide forms a large, multiunit protein
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Enzymes
protein catalysts for chemical reactions in cells
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Antibodies
complex glycoproteins with specific attachment regions for bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms
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Nucleic acids
DNA, RNA, and ATP
| •DNA: contains the special coded genetic program with detailed and specific instructions for each organism’s heredity
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DNA
Double helix structure
•Formed by two very long polynucleotide strands linked by hydrogen bonds between complementary pairs of nitrogen bases
•Adenine pairs with Thymine
•Guanine pairs with Cytosine
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RNA
the molecules responsible for translating the DNA program into proteins that can perform life functions
•Often a long, single strand of nucleotides
•Contains ribose instead of deoxyribose and uracil instead of thymine
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Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
a nucleotide containing adenine, ribose, and three phosphates
•Belongs to a category of high-energy compounds that give off energy when the bond between the second and third (outermost) phosphate is broken
•This releases energy to do cellular work
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Cell
the fundamental unit of life
•Bacteria and protozoa: single cell
•Animals and plants: trillions of cells
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Taxonomy
the science of classifying living things
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Binomial system
a 2 name system; Genus species
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Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species
Example: Eukarya, Animalia, Chrodata, Mammalia, Primates, Homidonia, Homo, Sapien
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The five I’s of microbiology
```
Inoculation
Incubation
Isolation
Inspection
Identification
```
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Culture
to grow microorganisms
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Medium (plural, media)
nutrients for the growth of microbes
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Inoculation
the introduction of a small sample of microbes into media to culture them
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Incubation
media containing inoculants are placed in temperature-controlled chambers
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Pure culture
grows only a single known species
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Mixed culture
grows two or more identified, easily differentiated species
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Contaminated culture
has unwanted microbes
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General purpose media
Grow as broad a spectrum of microbes as possible
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Enriched media
Contains complex organic substances such as blood, serum, hemoglobin, or special growth factors (vitamins, amino acids) for the growth of fastidious (complex) microbes
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growth factors
vitamins, amino acids
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fastidious
complex microbes
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Selective media
contains one or more agents that inhibit the growth of a certain microbe or microbes
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Differential media
allow multiple types of organisms to grow but display visible differences in how they grow
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Reducing medium
contains a substance (thioglycolic acid or cystine) that absorbs oxygen or slows the penetration of oxygen
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Carbohydrate Fermentation Media
contain sugars that can be fermented and a pH indicator that shows this reaction
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Transport Media
used to maintain and preserve specimens that have to be held for a period of time before clinical analysis
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Assay media
used to test the effectiveness of antimicrobial drugs
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Enumeration media
used to count the numbers of organisms in liquid samples
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Isolation
based on the concept that if an individual cell is separated from other cells on a nutrient surface, it will form a colony
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Colony
a macroscopic cluster of cells appearing on a solid medium arising from the multiplication of a single cell
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real image
Objective lens: closest to the specimen, forms the initial image called the real image
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virtual image
Ocular lens: forms the second image called the virtual image that will be received by the eye and converted to the retinal and visual image
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#2: Resolution (resolving power)
The capacity of an optical system to distinguish or separate two adjacent points or objects from one another
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Refractive index
Refractive index: a measurement of the degree of bending that light undergoes as it passes from one medium to another
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Principles of light microscopy
Magnification
Resolution
Contrast
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Positive stain
dye sticks to the specimen and gives it color
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Negative stain
does not stick to the specimen but settles some distance from its outer boundary, forming a silhouette
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Simple stains
only require a single dye and an uncomplicated procedure
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Differential stains
use two different colored dyes, the primary stain and the counterstain
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Acid fast stain
differentiates acid-fast bacteria (pink) from non-acid-fast bacteria (blue)
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Endospore stain
distinguishes between spores and vegetative cells (active cells)
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vegetative cells
Active cells
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Capsule staining
used to observe the microbial capsule, an unstructured protective layer surrounding the cells of some bacteria and fungi
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Flagellar staining
used to reveal the flagella (tiny, slender filaments used by bacteria for locomotion)
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flagella
tiny, slender filaments used by bacteria for locomotion
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histones
Prokaryotes do not wind their DNA around proteins called histones like eukaryotes. Yoyo to wrap protein around
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Pleomorphism
cells of one species may vary in shape and size, caused by variations in cell wall structure
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cocci
spherical, ball-shaped bacterium
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Diplococci
groups of two
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Tetrads
groups of four
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Staphylococci or micrococci
irregular clusters
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Streptococci
chains
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Sarcina
a cubical packet of 8, 16, or more cells
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bacilli
Rod shaped bacterium
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Diplobacilli
pair of cells with ends attached
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Streptobacilli
chain of several cells
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Coccobacillus
a short and plump rod
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Palisades
cells of a chain remain partially attached by a small hinge region at the ends
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Spirilla
occasionally found in short chains
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Appendages
accessories that provide motility or attachment
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motility
Bacterial locomotion
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Monotrichous
single flagellum
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Lophotrichous
small bunches or tufts of flagella
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Amphitrichous
flagella at both poles of the cell
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Peritrichous
flagella dispersed randomly over the surface
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chemotaxis
Bacteria move in response to chemical signals
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Fimbria
Small, bristle-like fibers sprouting off the surface of many bacterial cells
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Pilus
used for attachment and genetic exchange during conjugation
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Conjugation
partial transfer of DNA from one cell to another
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S layer
Single layers of thousands of copies of a single protein linked together like chain mail.
–Only produced when bacteria are in a hostile environment
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Glycocalyx
Composed of polysaccharides or glycoprotein units
| –Used to avoid phagocytosis (recognition by the immune system) and for adhesion (biofilms)
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Slime layer
loose, protects against loss of water and nutrients
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Capsule
more tightly bound, denser, produces a sticky (mucoid) character to colonies on agar
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cell wall
The cell wall helps determine the shape of a bacterium
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Peptidoglycan
repeating framework of long glycan (sugar) chains cross-linked by short peptide (protein) fragments
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Gram Positive Cell Wall
Thick, homogenous sheet of peptidoglycan
•Contains teichoic acid and lipoteichoic acid
–Function in cell wall maintenance and enlargement
–Contribute to the acidic charge on the cell surface
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Gram Negative Cell Wall
Single sheet of peptidoglycan
| •Thinness gives gram-negative cells greater flexibility and sensitivity to lysis (cell rupture)
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Lysis
Cell rupture
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L-forms
Some bacteria that naturally have a cell wall but lose it during part of their life cycle
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Outer membrane
contains specialized types of polysaccharides and proteins
–Only on Gram negative bacteria
–Contains lipopolysaccharide (LPS)
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Cytoplasm
a gelatinous solution encased by the cell membrane
–70 – 80% water
–Complex mixture of sugars, amino acids, and salts
–Serves as a pool for building blocks for cell synthesis or sources of energy
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nucleoid
DNA is aggregated in a dense area of the cell called the nucleoid
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plasmids
Many bacteria contain other, nonessential pieces of DNA called plasmids
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bacterial chromosome
DNA of most bacteria exists in the form of a single circular bacterial chromosome
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Ribosomes
site of protein synthesis, composed of rRNA and proteins
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Endospore
Endospores resist extremes of heat, drying, freezing, radiation, and chemicals that would kill vegetative cells
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Nucleolus
Found in the nucleoplasm
–Site of rRNA synthesis
–Collection area for ribosomal subunits
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Chromatin
Made of linear DNA
| When wound around histones, chromatin forms structures called chromosomes
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Endoplasmic reticulum
a series of microscopic tunnels used in transport and storage
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Rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER)
Endoplasmic reticulum with ribosomes attached
Originates from the outer membrane of the nuclear envelope and extends in a continuous network to the cell membrane
–Allows transport materials from the nucleus to the cytoplasm and ultimately to the cell’s exterior
–Ribosomes are attached to its membrane surface
137
Smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER)
Endoplasmic reticulum with no ribosomes
Closed tubular network without ribosomes
–Nutrient processing
–Storage of nonprotein macromolecules such as lipids
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Golgi apparatus
site of protein modification and shipping
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Lysosomes
contain a variety of enzymes involved in the intracellular digestion of food particles and protection against invading microorganisms
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Vacuoles
membrane bound sacs containing fluids or solid particles to be digested, excreted, or stored
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Mitochondria
generate energy for the cell; “powerhouse of the cell”
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Chloroplasts
capable of converting energy from sunlight into chemical energy through photosynthesis
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Actin filaments
long protein strands
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Microtubules
long hollow tubes
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Intermediate filaments
ropelike structures
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Cytoskeleton
Flexible framework of molecules cris-crossing the cytoplasm
| •Functions: anchoring organelles, moving RNA and vesicles, permitting shape changes, movement
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Hyphae
Long, threadlike cells found in the bodies of filamentous fungi
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Pseudohypha
chain of yeast cells
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Heterotrophic
acquire nutrients from a wide variety of organic sources/substrates
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saprobes
Fungi that obtain nutrients from the remnants of dead plants and animals in soil or aquatic habitats
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parasites
grow on the bodies of living animals or plants, although very few require a living host
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Mycelium (fungi)
the woven, intertwining mass of hyphae that makes up the body or colony of a mold
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Septa
segments or cross walls found in most fungi that allow the flow of organelles and nutrients between adjacent compartments
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Spores
Fungal reproductive bodies
–Can be dispersed through the environment by air, water, and living things
–Will germinate upon finding a favorable substrate and produce a new fungal colony in a short time
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Sporangiospores (fungi)
formed by successive cleavages within a sac-like head called a sporangium, which is attached to the stalk
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Conidiospores or conidia (fungi)
free spores not enclosed by a spore-bearing sac
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Ectoplasm (protozoa)
clear outer layer involved in locomotion, feeding, and protection
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Trophozoite (protozoa)
motile feeding stage requiring ample food and moisture to stay active
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Cyst (protozoa)
dormant resting stage when conditions in the environment become unfavorable
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Flatworms
Have a thin, often segmented body plan
- Cestodes (tapeworms)
- Trematodes (flukes)
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Roundworms/Nematodes
Have an elongated, cylindrical, unsegmented body
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Hermaphroditic
the male and female sex organs are in the same worm
