Chapter 1 - Humans and the Microbial World Flashcards
What are three benefits of microorganisms?
- Nitrogen Fixation
- Oxygen Production
- Degradation of Materials
How are microorganisms used in food production?
Yeast used in bread (2100 B.C.)
Fermentation of grains to make beer (1500 B.C.)
Fermentation of Milk (yogurt, cheese, buttermilk)
What is Biodegradation
The use of microorganisms to break down dangerous chemicals
ex: PCBs, DDT, trichloroethylene
oil spills
What is Bioremediation?
Using microorganisms to hasten decay of pollutants
What is Biotechnology?
Use of microbiological and biochemical techniques to solve practical problems
What is Genetic Engineering?
Introduction of genes into another organism
ex: disease resistant plants, production of medications (insulin)
In what years were most pathogenic bacteria identified?
1875-1918
True or False. All surfaces of the human body are populated by microorganisms?
True
What are Beneficial microbes?
- normal microbiota or normal flora
- prevent diseases by competing with pathogens
- development of immune system response
- aid in digestion
What do Pathogens do?
They damage body tissues and cause disease symptoms
-Cause infections
What are the three domains that all living things can be categorized into?
Bacteria, Archaea, and Eucarya
Which domain(s) are Prokaryotic Cells?
Bacteria and Archaea
Which domain(s) are Eukaryotic Cells
Eucarya
Are viruses, viroids, are prions part of the domains? Why?
No, because they aren’t living and viroids and prions aren’t cells
Do Bacteria have nuclei?
No, they are prokaryotes and prokaryotes do not have membrane-bound nuclei