Unit 1: Introduction to Microbiology Flashcards
(45 cards)
Who is known as the Father of Chemotherapy and what did he discover?
Paul Ehrlich, who discovered Salvarsan, the first effective treatment for syphilis.
What are the defining characteristics of prokaryotic cells?
Prokaryotic cells are typically 1-4 µm, lack a nucleus, have peptidoglycan cell walls, and contain 70S ribosomes.
What is a steam sterilizer and its purpose?
A method to sterilize equipment using steam to ensure cleanliness and safety.
What significant contribution did Dmitri Ivanovsky make to virology?
He demonstrated that the tobacco mosaic disease was caused by filterable infectious agents.
What is microbiology?
The study of organisms of microscopic size.
What distinguishes eukaryotic cells from prokaryotic cells?
Eukaryotic cells are generally >5 µm, have a nuclear membrane, membrane-enclosed organelles, and 80S ribosomes.
What was Alexander Fleming’s accidental discovery in 1928?
Fleming discovered Penicillin, the first antibiotic, inhibiting bacterial growth.
How does an autoclave achieve sterilization?
An autoclave uses steam under pressure to effectively sterilize various materials.
What are key areas of study in microbiology?
Classification, morphology, physiology, metabolism, distribution, and relationships.
Who proposed that diseases are caused by invisible organisms in the 1st Century BC?
Varo and Columella proposed that diseases result from ‘animalia minuta,’ or invisible organisms.
What process did Elie Metchnikoff describe regarding disease defense?
He described phagocytosis, where leukocytes ingest bacteria, acting as the body’s defense.
What significant observation led to the development of live attenuated vaccines?
Chicken cholera bacillus cultures lost pathogenicity over time but protected against infection.
What concept did Girolamo Fracastorius introduce in 1546?
Fracastorius introduced the idea of ‘living germs’ as causative agents of infectious diseases.
Why is studying microbiology important?
Microorganisms are omnipresent and crucial for ecosystems, food production, and industry.
What key advancement in virus study did Ernst Ruska introduce?
He introduced the Electron Microscope, allowing for improved virus observation.
What did John Needham’s experiments demonstrate regarding microorganisms?
His experiments showed that heated nutrient fluids became turbid, indicating microbial presence.
What significant discoveries did Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek make?
Van Leeuwenhoek was the first to observe single-celled organisms and document various bacteria and blood flow.
What method was used to attenuate anthrax bacillus?
Incubation at high temperatures (42°C-43°C) resulted in attenuated bacilli for inoculation.
What are some beneficial effects of microorganisms?
They aid in food production, industrial applications, and soil health in agriculture.
How did Lazzaro Spallanzani’s findings challenge spontaneous generation?
He found no growth in boiled and sealed beef broth, contradicting Needham’s results.
How are living organisms classified in microbiology?
Into five kingdoms: Monera, Protista, Fungi, Plantae, and Animalia.
Who challenged the theory of spontaneous generation and how?
Francesco Redi disproved it via experiments showing organisms do not arise from non-living matter.
What innovation did Louis Pasteur use to disprove spontaneous generation?
He used swan-necked flasks to boil broth, allowing air while preventing contamination.
What antiseptic technique did Joseph Lister introduce in surgery?
He introduced the use of carbolic acid, significantly reducing surgical sepsis rates.
