Chapter 1: Main themes of microbio Flashcards
Microbiology
biological specialty - addresses microscopic/ tiny life forms viewed with magnification (pg. 4).
Study of bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, and algae AKA microbes/microorganisms
Prokaryotes
Earlier and simpler microorganisms without a nucleus or internal structures/organelles. (pg. 6).
Eukaryotes
More complex cell with nucleus + organelles. (pg. 6).
Organelles
specialized structures in a cell
Viruses
small particles made up of hereditary material and covered by a coat of protein.
They are simple/ not really considered alive. They can’t self-replicate. (pg. 8).
Fermentation
chemical process - molecules break down anaerobically (without oxygen)
Bioremediation
process of introducing microbes into an environment to restore stability/ clean toxic pollutants. It is required to control human pollution. (water, oil…) (pg. 11).
emerging disease
newly appeared disease in a population (pg. 12).
re-emerging disease
older, well-known disease
re-appearing disease after a decline or disappearance
Germ theory of disease
Louis Pasteur’s early work>Robert Koch proved
Microorganisms AKA pathogens/germs lead to disease
Taxonomy
system to organize/classify/ name living things
Binomial nomenclature
system of naming microorganisms
Describe the evolutionary history of microbes on earth
-first 3.5 billion years ago. Ancient cells small and simple. Lacked organelles to carry out functions. Prokaryotic, before nucleus.
-1.8 billion years ago, eukaryotes, more complex cell, with true nucleus. Evolved from prokaryotes through endosymbiosis.
How do humans use microbes?
-solve human problems.
-Yeast: microscopic fungi- cause bread to rise, ferment sugar to make alcohol…
-Ancient Egypt: used moldy bread as penicillin for wounds
-Biotechnology: making products industrially, manipulation of microorganisms
-Genetic engineering- newer area of biotech, making new products and genetically modified organisms. 1 technique is Recombinant DNA: alter DNA and switch genetic material from organism to another.
-Bioremediation: introducing microbes into environment to stabilize it or clean up toxic pollutants, like water, oil, metals…
What are the general characteristics of microbes?
-living thing, too small to be seen with eye… need magnification
-they are ubiquitous (found everywhere)
-many relationships with humans, most beneficial, some harmful.
-involved in nutrient production and energy flow. Algea and certain bacteria trap sun’s energy to produce food through photosynthesis.
-other microbes responsible for breakdown and recycling of nutrients through decomposition. Microbes are essential to maintenance of air, soil, water.
-either very small and simple prokaryote, or more complex eukaryote.
-viruses are microbes but not cells they are smaller and infect the prokaryote or eukaryote host to reproduce…
-parasites and pathogens are microorganisms that invade body of hosts causing damage through infection/disease.