Module 1: Basic Concepts in Veterinary Microbiology

Question 1

Biological science that deals with the study of microscopic organisms.

Answer 1

Microbiology

Question 2

Study of bacteria

Answer 2

Bacteriology

Question 3

Study of viruses

Answer 3

Virology

Question 4

Study of fungi (yeast and molds)

Answer 4

Mycology

Question 5

Study of algae

Answer 5

Phycology

Question 6

Concerned with the identification of causative agents of diseases, diagnostic procedures for the causative agents and possible measures to prevent and treat infections.

Answer 6

Medical Microbiology

Question 7

Concerned with water purification, microbiological examination and biological degradation of wastes in water resources.

Answer 7

Aquatic Microbiology

Question 8

It evaluates the degree and spread of contamination, spoilage and dissemination of infections.

Answer 8

Aero-microbiology

Question 9

It is concerned with the safety of procedures involved in
the preparation and preservation of food, recognizes the etiology of food-borne diseases and their preventive measures.

Answer 9

Food Microbiology

Question 10

Concerned with the preservation and management of soil fertility; recognition of plant and animal diseases; their treatment, management and control.

Answer 10

Agricultural Microbiology

Question 11

It deals on the production of medicinal products like vaccines, antibiotics, fermented beverages, production of hormones and proteins by genetically-engineered microbes.

Answer 11

Industrial Microbiology

Question 12

An interdisciplinary study on the interactions of microorganisms with earth materials. It is reportedly concerned in determining the role of microbes in geological and geochemical processes. The field of geochemical microbiology has revealed new insights into the
intersection of life with the physical and chemical composition of Earth’s
surface.

Answer 12

Geochemical Microbiology

Question 13

A field that considers ways for the “exploration for life” in outer space, investigates various conditions that may contribute to the growth of both higher and lower forms of life in the upper strata of the atmosphere.

Answer 13

Exo-microbiology

Question 14

By the 13th century, fear of
the disease reportedly took a drastic turn in the formation of small leper colonies intended to isolate people carrying this disease.

Answer 14

Mycobacterium leprae

Question 15

In 1348, a mass epidemic caused by a single by this organism reportedly wiped out nearly one third (1/3) of the European population.

Answer 15

Yersinia pestis

Question 16

This proposes the idea that life originated as a result of forces that were
generated as a consequence of the collision and explosion of the heavenly bodies
which took place in ancient times.

Answer 16

Big Bang Theory

Question 17

This supports the belief that God created the universe and every living form that thrives in it. Many insist on the biblical implication of this theory.

Answer 17

Divine Creation Theory

Question 18

This concept agrees with the idea that animate or living forms on earth came from inanimate forms.

Answer 18

Spontaneous generation
(Heterogenesis/ Abiogenesis)

Question 19

This theory considers that living things came only from living things. This principle is contradictory to the theory of spontaneous generation.

Answer 19

Biogenesis

Question 20

This follows the idea that inorganic compounds in the atmosphere interact
with electrical charges (ultraviolet rays). The charged substances form organic compounds when subjected to physical effects in the environment and are degraded into amino acids.

Answer 20

Theory of Chemical Evolution Process

Question 21

Disease was believed to be given to humans as a result of the wrath of
divine spirits for the punishment of individual sins. This belief persisted for many centuries and is still observed at the present time among uncivilized tribes.

Answer 21

Theurgical theory of disease

Question 22

This theory says that diseases are caused by emanations from the soil,
influence of the stars, the moon, the winds, the water or tides and the seasons. Hippocrates is claimed as the proponent of this theory. On this treatise, the relationship of disease with different fluids, changes in temperature, moisture and the direction of the wind is reportedly emphasized. It is likewise postulated that four elements (fire, air, water and earth) and four qualities (heat, cold, moisture and dryness) corresponded to the four fluids or humors of the body (blood, phlegm, yellow bile and black bile) and any imbalance to these contributes to disease.

Answer 22

Miasmatic theory of disease

Question 23

This doctrine believes that disproportion and abnormal symmetry of pores result to disease and that change in the position of pores in afflicted parts assures recovery in human beings and animals from illness.

Answer 23

Pore theory

Question 24

This supports the speculation that disease is attributed to the presence
of causative agents known as germs. The earliest doctrine of infection reportedly came close to the truth based on observations of the epidemics of plague, syphilis, anthrax and typhus in humans.

Answer 24

Germ theory

Question 25

Early account on the existence of infectious diseases was reportedly made in the paramount articles made by this scientist. Descriptions that denoted the presence of infections were reportedly based on the results of his research work on syphilis.

Answer 25

Fracastoro (1546, Italy)

Question 26

The first morphological features of bacteria known today were reportedly by him. As a lens grinder, he had seen microscopic objects with various sizes and shapes. His significant contribution to microbiology reportedly involved development of lenses that magnified objects about 200 to 300 times their actual sizes. Those microscopes were further refined as years went by to bring in the best resolution and magnification needed for the microscopic evaluation of living organisms.

Answer 26

Anthony Van Leeuwenhoek (1676, Holland)

Question 27

The first observation on the possible inhibition of bacterial growth in meat infusion after heating was reported by him.

Answer 27

Spallanzani (1765)

Question 28

This scientist was the first to make an account on anthrax bacilli which he observed in his studies on sheep blood. Recent reports have described the anthrax bacillus in other domestic animals including an anthrax bacillus from human origin.

Answer 28

Davaine (1850)

Question 29

He was an industrial microbiologist who introduced different methods of sterilization for different solutions that were contained in flasks to reduce contamination. The monumental contributions of him noted in the field of Industrial Microbiology. These included sterilization methods that made milk safe for consumption without reducing its quality (pasteurization of milk), preparation of the finest wine and production of acetic acid through the process of fermentation. Significant milestones in studies on anthrax, fowl cholera, swine erysipelas and rabies.

Answer 29

Louis Pasteur (1860)

Question 30

A famous bacteriologist and various techniques in bacteriology that are still in use are introduced by him (use of solid media and staining methods). His studies involved isolation of tubercle bacilli (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) and the causative agent of Asiatic cholera. His involvement in studies with the tubercle bacillus paved the way for the development of the tuberculin. A criterion for identifying pathogens which are currently used to evaluate experimental and infections.

Answer 30

Robert Koch (1843-1910)

Question 31

True or False Koch's Postulates: 1. The microorganisms must be found in abundance in all organisms suffering from the disease, but should not be found in healthy organisms. 2. The microorganisms must be isolated from a diseased organism and grown in pure culture. 3. The cultured microorganisms should cause disease when introduced into healthy organisms. 4. The microorganisms must be reisolated from the inoculated, diseased experimental host and identified as being identical to the original specific causative agent.

Answer 31

True

Question 32

The use of cotton plugs in the study of bacteria is still practiced in the present time. The use of cotton plugs in test tubes was reportedly introduced by them. Cotton plugs are reportedly effective in facilitating the entry of oxygen inside the test tubes allowing aerobes to grow under normal culture conditions. The cotton plugs reportedly minimize microbial contamination as it can function as a filter for dirt that carries microbial contaminants.

Answer 32

Schroeder and Dusch

Question 33

He included the introduction and utilization of antiseptics. Antiseptics effectively function in arresting bacterial contamination and multiplication in wounded tissues of superficial tissues of the body. Antiseptics are applied in dressing wounds to minimize tissue injury and facilitate wound healing.

Answer 33

Lester

Question 34

He reportedly invented the first microscope.

Answer 34

Cornelius Drebbel (1590-1610)

Question 35

He gave major contributions in the refinement of the microscope.

Answer 35

Galileo (1609)

Question 36

He made the most significant contribution in the development of microscopes used in the field of Microbiology.

Answer 36

Anthony Van Leewoenhoek (1632)

Question 37

He led the discovery of a product obtained from Penicillium notatum (Penicillin) which has been used for many years to treat infections by pathogenic strains of Staphylococcus.

Answer 37

Alexander Fleming

Question 38

Are minute living forms that can be visible only through the use of a microscope.

Answer 38

Microorganisms

Question 39

Unicellular prokaryotic living organism.

Answer 39

Bacteria

Question 40

A living organism with a nuclear component not enclosed by a nuclear membrane.

Answer 40

Prokaryote

Question 41

A living organism with a nuclear component enclosed by a distinct nuclear membrane.

Answer 41

Eukaryote

Question 42

Eukaryotic plant-like organisms devoid of chlorophyll.

Answer 42

Fungi

Question 43

A measure of the degree of bacterial pathogenicity.

Answer 43

Virulence

Question 44

Process of weakening or reducing the virulence of a pathogen.

Answer 44

Attenuation

Question 45

It refers to a population of microbes growing in a given environment.

Answer 45

Culture

Question 46

Denotes a bacterial culture that contains a single species of microbes have the same genetic make-up.

Answer 46

Pure culture

Question 47

A mixture of nutrients needed to support the growth and multiplication of a bacterium.

Answer 47

Culture medium

Question 48

A compact mass of bacterial cells growing visibly on the surface of a medium.

Answer 48

Colony

Question 49

A descendant of a bacterial pure culture.

Answer 49

Strain

Question 50

It refers to the existence of a disease caused by a living pathogen.

Answer 50

Infection

Question 51

A pathogenic organism that can be transmitted from one susceptible animal to another.

Answer 51

Contagion

Question 52

Refers to a new infection concomitant to an existing infection.

Answer 52

Superinfection

Question 53

An infection caused by more than one species of pathogens.

Answer 53

Mixed infection

Question 54

A living host that appears normal yet it continuously discharges a virulent organism in its excretions.

Answer 54

Carrier

Question 55

A living host with a recognized infection and has not completely gotten rid of itself of the infection.

Answer 55

Convalescent carrier

Question 56

A living host which has no history of a disease but eliminates the pathogen that causes the disease.

Answer 56

Asymptotic carrier

Question 57

Application of physical methods that destroy all forms of living pathogens.

Answer 57

Sterilization

Question 58

Application of chemical methods that destroy all forms of living pathogens.

Answer 58

Disinfection

Question 59

A chemical agent that kills growing and infective forms of bacteria.

Answer 59

Disinfectant

Question 60

A chemical agent applied to living tissues with the purpose of preventing microbial growth and proliferation.

Answer 60

Antiseptic

Question 61

A chemical agent applied to inanimate objects with the purpose of reducing microbial population to safe levels.

Answer 61

Sanitizer

Question 62

A chemical agent that kills microbes.

Answer 62

Germicide

Question 63

A condition that retards or prevents the growth and multiplication of bacteria.

Answer 63

Bacteriostatis

Question 64

Refers to the confinement of a pathogenic infection within a particular anatomical spot.

Answer 64

Localized infection

Question 65

Refers to the spread of infection and its end-products generally all over the body.

Answer 65

Generalized infection

Question 66

Refers to the confinement of an infection in a restricted area but can serve as the potential source of infection to other parts of the body.

Answer 66

Focal infection

Question 67

Infection that is usually held in check by the defense forces of the body.

Answer 67

Latent infection

Question 68

Refers to the presence of bacteria in the blood.

Answer 68

Bacteremia

Question 69

Refers to the presence of bacteria in the blood where it can multiply and produce toxins.

Answer 69

Septicemia

Question 70

Refers to the presence of pus-forming pathogens in the blood.

Answer 70

Pyemia

Question 71

Refers to the presence of toxins in the blood liberated by bacteria undergoing lysis.

Answer 71

Taxomia

Question 72

Refers to the presence of saprophytes on dead tissues which produce toxins that aggravate existing pathological conditions when absorbed by the body.

Answer 72

Sapremia

Question 73

These are bacteria isolated from their natural habitats.

Answer 73

"Wild type" bacteria

Question 74

A bacterial culture that contains a single species of microbes.

Answer 74

Axenic culture

Question 75

An ordinary commensal but under certain circumstances can cause a disease that lowers the host’s resistance.

Answer 75

Potential pathogen

Question 76

Organisms that are generally harmless in their normal habitat but can cause a disease upon gaining access to other sites.

Answer 76

Opportunistic pathogens

Question 77

An organism that always causes a disease when it encounters an animal or any living host.

Answer 77

Obligate pathogen

Question 78

The capacity of an organism to produce a disease.

Answer 78

Pathogenicity

Question 79

The capacity of an organism to establish itself and cause infection in tissues and organs.

Answer 79

Infectivity

Question 80

Refers to the capacity of a pathogen to produce toxic metabolites.

Answer 80

Toxigenicity

Question 81

A microbe that can initiate a disease on its own.

Answer 81

Primary agent of disease

Question 82

A microbe that invades or establishes itself in tissues that have been infected by a primary agent.

Answer 82

Secondary invader

Question 83

Are animals in whose fauna and flora are known and previously defined.

Answer 83

Gnotobiotic

Question 84

Animals that have come from stocks delivered through caesarean operations.

Answer 84

Specific pathogen free