Mod 1: The Background of Microbiology

Question 1

Immune mechanisms that “learn” to deal with specific invaders.

Answer 1

Adaptive Immune Response

Question 2

A transmission mechanism in which the infectious agent is spread as an aerosol and usually enters a person through the respiratory tract.

Answer 2

Airborne Transmission

Question 3

A substance produced by a B lymphocyte in response to a unique antigen, which it can then combine with to destroy or control it.

Answer 3

Antibodies

Question 4

A group of immunocompetent cells that mediate cellular immune response by engulfing, processing, and presenting antigens to the T-cell receptor. Traditional antigen-presenting cells include macrophages, dendritic cells, Langerhans cells, and B lymphocytes.

Answer 4

Antigen-Presenting Cells (APCs)

Question 5

A type of lymphocyte, developed in bone marrow, that circulates in the blood and lymph and, upon encountering a particular foreign antigen, differentiates into a clone of plasma cells that secrete antibody and a clone of memory cells that make the antibody on subsequent encounters.

Answer 5

B Cells

Question 6

A vector that is essential in the life cycle of a pathogenic organism.

Answer 6

Biological Vector

Question 7

A sheath or continuous enclosure around an organ or structure.

Answer 7

Capsule

Question 8

A semipermeable phospholipid bilayer that separates the interior of cells from the outside environment and controls movement into and out of the cell.

Answer 8

Cell Membrane

Question 9

A linear strand made of DNA that carries genetic information (genes).

Answer 9

Chromosomes

Question 10

Threadlike projections from the free surface of certain epithelial cells used to propel or sweep materials across a surface.

Answer 10

Cilia

Question 11

The mode of transportation of infectious pathogens from a source that is common to all the cases of a specific disease, by means of a vehicle such as water, food, air, or the blood supply.

Answer 11

Common Vehicle Transmission

Question 12

Occurs when microorganisms are transferred from one infected person to another.

Answer 12

Contact Transmission

Question 13

A gel-like matrix contained within the cell membrane that holds all of the cell’s internal substructures.

Answer 13

Cytoplasm

Question 14

Organelle that consists of a network of channels that transport materials within the cell.

Answer 14

Endoplasmic Reticulum

Question 15

A lipopolysaccharide that is part of the cell wall of gram-negative bacteria released after the cell’s death.

Answer 15

Endotoxins

Question 16

Organisms in which the cell nucleus is surrounded by a membrane.

Answer 16

Eukaryotes

Question 17

A poisonous substance produced by certain bacteria.

Answer 17

Exotoxins

Question 18

Threadlike structures that provide motility for certain bacteria and protozoa and for spermazoa

Answer 18

Flagella

Question 19

Object that may harbor microorganisms and is capable of transmitting them.

Answer 19

Fomite

Question 20

Stacks of membrane-bound structures that package proteins inside the cell before they are sent to their destination; important in the processing of proteins for secretion.

Answer 20

Golgi Apparatus

Question 21

Immunity associated with circulating antibodies.

Answer 21

Humoral Immune Response

Question 22

A disease caused by microorganisms, especially those that release toxins or invade body tissues.

Answer 22

Infection

Question 23

The ability to protect one’s self from pathogens, the immunity you have when you are born.

Answer 23

Innate Immune Response

Question 24

A substance or microorganism introduced by inoculation

Answer 24

Inoculum

Question 25

Cell organelles containing hydrolytic enzyme capsules used to break down proteins and carbohydrates to aid in intracellular digestion.

Answer 25

Lysosome

Question 26

A monocyte that has left the circulation and settled and matured in a tissue such as the spleen, lymph nodes, alveoli, and tonsils.

Answer 26

Macrophage

Question 27

A vector that simply conveys pathogens to a susceptible individual and is not essential to the development of the organism.

Answer 27

Mechanical Vector

Question 28

The scientific study of microorganisms, that is, of bacteria, fungi, intracellular parasites, protozoans, viruses, and some worms.

Answer 28

Microbiology

Question 29

Cell organelles of rod or oval shape that contain the enzymes for the aerobic stages of cell respiration and are the site of most ATP synthesis.

Answer 29

Mitochondira

Question 30

Type of cell division of somatic cells in which each daughter cell contains the same number of chromosomes as the parent cell.

Answer 30

Mitosis

Question 31

A mononuclear phagocytic white blood cell derived from myeloid stem cells that circulate in the bloodstream and act as the first line of defense in the inflammatory process.

Answer 31

Monocytes

Question 32

The system of fixed macrophages and circulating monocytes that serve as phagocytes, engulfing foreign substances in a wide variety of immune responses.

Answer 32

Mononuclear Phagocyte System (MPS)

Question 33

Linings of mostly endodermal origin, covered in epithelium, which are involved in absorption and secretion.

Answer 33

Mucous Membranes