7. Microbes Flashcards
(29 cards)
Name three types of microorganisms
Bacteria, fungi (yeast) and viruses.
Where do we find micro-organisms
They are what we call ‘ubiquitous’ this means we find them everywhere on earth even in harsh environments. Specifically they can be found on surfaces, soil, water, are and even in and on us.
What makes micro-organisms useful?
The fact that they grow/multiply very quickly is a very useful property of microorganisms. We can use them for a wide variety of food sources and make a wide variety of products with them.
Why are microorganisms essential to life?
They can form partnerships with other living things to ensure that important processes, such as digestion and waste recycling, can continue
Why do microbes have a bad reputation?
Because some are capable of causing disease. But we do know that not ALL bacteria are harmful.
What are bacteria?
They are a very small, single-celled organism, we find them everywhere, like soil water, surfaces and air. They get around via contact, air or in water.
How quickly can bacteria replicate?
Very quickly. Given ideal conditions their numbers can double every 20 minutes.
How do bacteria replicate?
Bacteria cells divide into two cells in a type of reproduction called binary fission.
What are fungi?
Yeast is an example of a single-celled fungi. We find them everywhere but especial on the surface of fruits and in very damp places. Fungi get around by producing spores which travel in the air. (Spores can then grow into mature fungi).
What are viruses?
Viruses are sub-microscopic infectious agents. Again the are found everywhere on Earth . Viruses need a host as they can only replicate inside living cells. They can spread from once cell to the next, travel in veins or can be passed on via contaminated surfaces or through the air.
What is aseptic techniques?
Aseptic techniques is a method to prevent the contamination by microorganisms. We use aseptic technique when patients are in hospital, in the food and pharmaceutical industry or when working with microorganisms in the lab.
List some aseptic techniques used in hospitals when working with patients
- Sterile clothing, such as gowns, gloves and masks.
- Use of sterile equipment and instruments
- Maintaining a sterile environment requires keeping doors closed during an operation. Only necessary health personnel should be at the procedure.
- Having contact guidelines (HAND WASHING etc)
List some aseptic techniques we can use in a lab when working with microbes.
1 Cleaning and disinfecting lab surfaces prior to use.
2. Limiting the duration that cultures or media are uncapped and exposed to the air.
3. keeping petri dishes closed whenever possible.
4. Flaming loops.
5. Use of fume cupboard
What is a streak plate?
The purpose of the streak plate is to get isolated colonies (a single wee circle of growth) from an inoculum by creating areas of increasing dilution on a single agar plate.
When making a streak plate what do we do between streaks.
Flame the loop
In yeast industries what products can we make with yeast?
Bread, wine and beer.
Why do we use yeast in bread making?
During the fermentation of yeast the yeast produce carbon dioxide, this makes the dough/bread rise. Bread is not alcoholic because the alcohol evaporates during baking.
yeast glucose-------------> alcohol + carbon dioxide
Where does yeast obtain its food from?
Sugars such as glucose. Yeast breaks down the sugar in a process called fermentation,
yeast glucose-------------> alcohol + carbon dioxide
Why do we use yeast in brewing?
During the fermentation of glucose the yeast produce alcohol ( makes our beer and wine alcoholic), and the carbon dioxide produced makes the beer fizzy.
yeast glucose-------------> alcohol + carbon dioxide
if we are producing alcohol on a massive scale what do we use (what kind of vessel)?
Fermenters: These are containers used to grow bacteria and fungi in large amounts, eg Penicillium mould for producing penicillin (an antibiotic). Or Yeast in brewing.
What is the advantage of using fermenters?
Better for large scale because of…………
1. Low fermentation cost
2. Better yield of product
3. Easy maintenance of ideal conditions for microbes, e.g. temperature and, nutrient concentration such as glucose.
4. Substances can be added without opening the vessel, this prevents contamination of the product.
Name three diseases caused by yeast and describe how we treat them
1, Athletes foot - use a antifungal cream or power such as daktarin or Lamisil.
2, Ring worm - Use an antifungal cream such as Daktarin or Clotrimazole
3, Oral thrush - Antifungal tablets (fluconazole) or moth wash such as Corsodyl.
I bacteria Industries what do we use bacteria for.
We can use bacteria for the production of Cheese and yoghurt
Where do the bacteria obtain their food?
They obtain their food from sugars such as lactase (in milk or glucose
