Ch. 10 - Microbial Ecology and Microbial Biotechnology

Question 1

Microbial ecology

Answer 1

Study of numerous interrelationships between microbes and the world around them

Question 2

Symbiosis

Answer 2

2 dissimilar organisms living together in close association

Question 3

Neutralisms

Answer 3

Symbiotic - neither M.O benefits

Question 4

Commensalism

Answer 4

Symbiotic - beneficial to one, neutral to the other

ex: indigenous microbiata

Question 5

Mutualism

Answer 5

Symbiotic - beneficial to both

ex: humans and E. coli in intestines

Question 6

Parasitism

Answer 6

Symbiotic - beneficial to one, detrimental to the other

Question 7

Transient microbiota

Answer 7

Temporary residence in/ on humans

Question 8

What is the most common type of microbiota on the skin?

Answer 8

staphylococcus spp.

Question 9

Microbiota ears

Answer 9

inner and middle ear - sterile

outter ear - same as skin

Question 10

Microbiota eye

Answer 10

lubricated and cleasned, so only a few microbes present

Question 11

Microbiota respiratory tract

Answer 11

upper (asal passages and throat) - abundance of harmless or oppotunistic pathogens

lower (larynx, trachae, bronchi, lungs) - usually sterile

Question 12

Microbiota oral cavity

Answer 12

many aerobic and anaerobic

most commonly alpha-hemolytic steptococci

Question 13

Microbiota GI tract

Answer 13

colon - contains largest number and variety of microbes of any colonized area of the body.
Many are opportunistic
anaerobic environment

Question 14

Microbiota genitourinary tract

Answer 14

sterile: kidneys, ureter, bladder
Distal urethra and its opening harbour many microbes (bacteria, yeast, viruses)
Reproductive systems are usually sterile except for the vagina

Question 15

Most frequent cause of urethral infections:

Answer 15

chlamydia, gonorrheae, mycoplasms

Question 16

3 key roles of our indigenous microbiota

Answer 16

1) Microbial antagonist: microbe vs microbe
2) Opporunistic pathogens
3) Biotherpeutic agents/probiotics (bacteria and yeast are used to stabilize microbial balance)

Question 17

Biofilms

Answer 17

Variety bacteria spp + gooey polysaccharide the bacteria secrete.

Resistant to antibiotics and disinfectants
produce proteins that may not be produced in pure culture

Question 18

Synergistic infections

Answer 18

2+ organisms team up to produce a disease that neither could produce on its own
ex: bacterial vaginosis

Question 19

Endosymbionts

Answer 19

bacteria found within other microorganisms

Question 20

Types and amounts of microbes living in soil depends on (4)

Answer 20

• amount of decaying matter
• temp/ pH
• available nutrients