Overview Microbiology Flashcards
(130 cards)
What is microbiology?
Study of microorganisms or minute living bodies not perceptible to the naked eye.
What are the microorganisms?
Bacteria, Viruses, Protozoa Rickettsiae, Algae
Robert Hooke 1665
An English man
.1st to report on cell theory - that all living things are composed of cells
What is a cell?
The basic functional unit of all living organisms. The human body is made up of 50-100 trillion cells. Cells combine to form tissue & organs. The cell contains the genetic material, DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid.)
Anton Van Leeuwenhoek 1673
A Dutch scientist
. 1st to observe and record Bacteria & Protozoa;
Protozoa
One-celled animal
Edward Jenner 1798
English physician
- Developed the 1st vaccine against smallpox
Ignaz Semmelweis 1840
Advocated frequent hand washing between treatment of patients to prevent the spread of infection
Louis Pasteur 1857
Discovered that heating can kill bacteria (pasteurization)
Joseph Lister (1860)
English surgeon
. 1st to advocate aseptic technique to be used in the operating room
. Used phenol as an antiseptic agent
Robert Koch 1876
German physician, proved that bacteria are the cause of disease
. Discovered the organisms causing tuberculosis, anthrax and cholera
. Developed techniques to culture bacteria
. Urged the sterilization of surgical instruments using heat
Hans Gram 1884
Danish physician, developed the Gram staining method that differentiates between gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria
Microscopy
The use of light to magnify objects
Microscope
Is an instrument used to see objects that are too small for the naked eye
Simple Microscope
With a single magnifying lens, capable of approximately 300x magnification
Compound Microscope
Uses a series of lenses for greater magnification; can magnify 1,000-2,000x
Dark Field Microscope
Useful for examining pale or colorless cells; specimen appears light against a dark ground
Fluorescent Microscope
Uses UV light to fluoresce objects
Electron Microscope
Can magnify objects 10,000-100,000x
What are the differences in Eukaryotic & Prokaryotic cells?
. Presence of membrane-bound compartments (such as the nucleus) in eukaryotes
. Prokaryotes - less complex organisms ex. Bacteria
. Eukaryotes - more complex organisms ex. Plant & Animal cells, Protozoa, fungi, algae, human cells
Eukaryotic - Structure
- Cell Membrane (plasma membrane) - the thin membrane that forms the outer boundary of the cell
- Nucleus - the membrane-bound structure inside the cell that contains the genetic material DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)
- Cytoplasm - the gel-like living fluid in the cell between the cell membrane & nucleus
What contains organelles & define each organelle
The cytoplasm
1. Ribosomes- tiny particles that serve as “protein factories” of the cell making enzymes & other protein compounds
2. Mitochondria- “power plant” of the cell containing enzymes and substances whose reactions release energy to recharge the cells “battery” - the ATP (adenosine triphosphate)
3. Lysosomes - the “digestive bags” of the cell containing enzymes that break apart large food molecules through hydrolysis. Lysosomes digest & destroy microbes that invade the cell.
4. Centrioles- are paired rod-shaped structures that play an important role for moving the chromosomes during cell division.
Eukaryotic- Cell Membrane
The cell membrane is the gateway of the cell that controls the passage of materials in and out of the cell.
. Proteins - in the cell membrane act as receptors that “communicate” chemical messages from hormones that influence the function of the cell
. Carbohydrate - chains on the membrane play a part in identification of the cell as specifically belonging to an individual. This is used during tissuetyping prior to organ transplant.
Eukaryotic- Nucleus
A small spherical structure in the central portion of the cell that is surrounded by the nuclear envelope.
. It is the cell’s command center that controls every organelle in the cytoplasm
. It contains the genetic material, DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)