6A Flashcards
what are the resources microorganisms need to grow
- nutrients
- oxygen ( anaerobic organisms require the absence of oxygen)
- optimum pH
- favorable temperature
describe the process of binary fission
- the single circular DNA molecule starts to replicate
- any plasmid will undergo DNA replication
- the parent cell will divide into tow daughter cell which the cytoplasm will be halved roughly
- the two daughter cells have one copy of circular DNA and variable copies of plasmids
describe the 4 phases in the population growth of microorganisms
- Lag phase: the population number increases slowly since microorganisms are adjusting to the new environment
- Exponential (log) phase: as there are a high availability of nutrients and space the population doubles with each division
- Stationary phase: the population reaches its maximum due to the lack of access to nutrients and space the no. of death = no. of microorganisms produced then growth curve levels off
- Death (decline phase): due to the lack of nutrients and build up of toxic waste and the population starts to decline
what is the difference between prokaryotes and eukaryotic
- prokaryotes lack membrane-bound organelles
- Ribosomes that are smaller (70 S) than those found in eukaryotic cells (80 S)
- prokaryotes have no nucleus but have a circular DNA material
- prokaryotes have cell wall that contain glycoprotein murein ( peptidoglycan)
- some prokaryotes have
. have loops of DNA known as plasmids
. capsules help cells to prevent from drying out and attacks from cells
. Flagella enables the prokaryotic to move
pili involved in gene transfer ( conjugation )
. folds known as mesosomes where respiration occurs
Describe the structure of viruses
- viruses are non-cellular particles
- A nucleic acid core: their genome can be either DNA or RNA
- have a protein coat called a capsid
- they do not possess a cytoplasm, plasma membrane or ribosomes
- some viruses have an outer layer of membrane-phospholipid called an envelope
- some contain protein in their capsid
- they contain virus attachments particles eg.glycoproteins
how are viruses classified
- DNA viruses
- RNA viruses
- Retroviruses
what are DNA viruses
- they contain DNA as a genetic material
- viral DNA acts a direct template for producing new viral DNA and mRNA for the viral proteins
- Ex.: smallpox, adenoviruses, and bacteriophages
- Bacteriophages are viruses that infect bacteria, such as the λ (lambda) phage
what are RNA viruses
- they contain RNA genetic material
do not produce DNA - mutation are more likely to occur in RNA viruses than in DNA viruses
EX: tobacco mosaic virus (TMV), Ebola virus
what are Retroviruses
- special type of RNA viruses
- viral RNA controls the production of enzyme reverse transcriptase which produces viral DNA from the RNA strand and the new viral DNA is incorporated into the host DNA where it produces viral proteins and DNA
how can viruses enter the host cell
-Lysogenic
-Lytic
how do viruses use lysogenic pathway
- provirus inserts itself into the host cell which has a viral gene that is coded for repressor protein that prevents the viral DNA from being transcribed
- every time the host DNA copies itself the viral DNA is also copied this stage is called ( a latent stage) the virus may activate and enter the lytic pathway
How do viruses use lytic pathway
-The genetic material is injected into the host cell via endocytosis
- the genetic material is translated and transcribed to produce new viral component which assembles into mature viruses then more viruses are produced until the host cell bursts (lysis)
what is tuberculosis
it is a disease which is caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis also known as TB
- the bacteria is engulfed by phagocytes in the lungs and will survive ad reproduce inside the phagocyte this is called the primary infection. Individuals with healthy immune system will not develop TB
- infected phagocytes will become encased in structure called tubercles in the lungs which will remain inactive for a period of time
when does the active phase of TB will occur
when the individual becomes infected with HIV and their immune system is compromised
what are the symptoms of TB
- fever
- fatigue
- coughing
- lung inflammation
- if left untreated the bacteria might cause respiratory failure and lead to organ failure
what is HIV
HIV is (human immunodeficiency virus)
- HIV contain RNA and is a retrovirus
- HIV is transmitted by body fluids by:
_ sexual intercourse
_ by blood donation
_ by sharing of needles by intravenous drug users
_ from mother to child across placenta
_ through breast feeding
state the steps of HIV replications
1- virus infects helper T cells
2- gradually the virus reduces the number of T cells in the immunity system where:
- B cells are no longer activated
- no antibodies are produced
- the patient begins to suffer from HIV-related symptoms
3- because of the lack of T cells the body will be on the final stage which is advanced AIDS ( Acquired immune deficiency syndrome)
what are the symptoms of AIDS
1- mild flu-like symptoms
2- after several months or years the viral DNA replicated by HIV particles will become active and will become AIDS
3-the individual will suffer from a range of more
serious opportunistic infections since the number of T cells is low and the opportunistic will cause this individual to die
what are the factors that affect how quickly HIV will progress into AIDS
- the number of existing infections
- the strain of HIV the person is infected with
- their age
- access to healthcare