Chapter 1 Flashcards
biology
the study of living organisms
microbiology
the study of microbes
microbes
microscopic living and nonliving organisms
single celled
cellular microbes
living microbes
include: bacteria, archaea, algae, protozoa, and fungi
divided into prokaryotes and eukaryotes
acellular microbes
nonliving microbes
include: viroids, prions, and viruses
pathogens
the scientific term for disease-causing microbe
non pathogens
microbes that do not cause diseases
vast majority of microbes
indigenous microbiota
microbes that live on/in our bodies
some are opportunistic pathogens
opportunistic pathogens
microbes that can cause disease but do not unless opportunity (weakened immune system) arises
two categories of pathogen disease
infectious disease
microbial intoxications
infectious diseases
- pathogen colonizes body
- pathogen causes disease
- MRSA, gas gangrene
microbial intoxication
- pathogen produces toxin in vitro
- person ingests toxin
- toxin causes disease
- food borne botulism, staph food poisoning
what microbes produce oxygen?
photosynthetic algae and bacteria (cyanobacteria)
saprophytes
organisms that live on dead/decaying matter and decomposes it
bioremediation
the use of microbes to clean up toxic waste and other industrial waste products