Test 1 Flashcards
what are commensal organisms?
microbes that normally colonize healthy humans and do not normally cause disease
what is microbiota or microflora?
microbial community in particular site or place
what is the function of immune system?
protect body against disease and invading microbes
what is immunology?
study of all aspects of immune system
in what 3 ways can commensals be beneficial to humans?
metabolic functions
protective functions
immune system development
most commensals are harmful or harmless?
harmless
where is greatest number of commensals in humans?
intestines
what are opportunistic pathogens?
microbes that do not normally cause disease but can under certain circumstances
when can opportunistic pathogens cause disease? (4)
immunocompromised, body’s defenses compromised, microbe number in excess of typical load, access gained to site not normally found in
what are pathogens?
microbes that can cause disease
what are the four groups of pathogens?
bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites
how are bacteria classified?
gram positive and gram negative
gram positive distinction
cell wall has LTA, TA, and peptidoglycan
gram negative distinctionn
outer membrane has LPS
Do gram negative have same LPS? Do gram positive have same LTA and TA?
No, varies
