Part III - Basic Principles Flashcards
(131 cards)
What is temperature range of bacteria optimized to grow in humans?
35-40 degrees C
What was Girolamo Fracastoro known for?
Proposed that epidemic diseases are caused by transferable spores “seeds”
What are thermophiles?
range between 45 and 70 degrees C
Oxygen requirements for obligate aerobes?
ABSOLUTE requirement for O2. Use it to generate energy
Oxygen requirements for obligate anaerobes?
Cannot multiply if O2 is present - often killed by traces of O2
Oxygen requirements for facultative anaerobes?
grow better if O2 is present, but can grow without it
Oxygen requirements for microaerophiles?
Require small amouns of O2 for aerobic respiration. Higher conc. Of O2 is inhibitory
Oxygen requirements for aerotolerant anaerobes?
indifferent to O2. Can grow in its presence but don?t use it to transform energy
What is superoxide ion?
O2-
What is superoxide capable of?
participating in destructive rxns, potentially lethal to cell
What is H2O2 generated as, and is it damaging to cell?
Oxidizing agent, does not damage cell as much as superoxide
Is OH- very damaging?
Very damaging, but transient in cells
What enzymes are used by cells to degrade toxins?
superoxide dismutase, catalase
What does superoxide dismutase do?
converts O2- to H2O2 and O2
What does catalase do?
converts H2O2 to H2O and O2
What is the typical internal pH of cells?
Near 7
What pH environment do neutrophiles live in?
pH 5-8
What pH environment do acidophiles live in?
ph <5.5
What pH environment do alkalophiles live in?
pH >8.5
Water requirements for microbial growth?
All microbes require water for growth but some can survive/multiply in high salt
How do some microbes survive in high salt?
increasing solute concentration inside cell
What is osmotolerant bacteria?
tolerant of high salt environments (up to 10%)
What are halophiles?
REQUIRE high levels of salt to live and multiply (>10%)
What are mesophiles?
range between 25 and 45 degrees C