CHAPTER 10 Flashcards
is the
study of the numerous
interrelationships
between microorganisms
and the world around
them.
Microbial ecology
defined as the living to-
gether or close association of two dissimilar organisms
Symbiosis, or a symbiotic relation-
ship,
used to describe a symbiotic rela-
tionship in which neither symbiont is affected by the relationship.
neutralism
The organisms that live together in such a relationship are referred
to as
symbionts.
symbiotic relationship that is beneficial to one sym-
biont and of no consequence
Commensalism
is a symbiotic rela-
tionship that is beneficial to both symbionts
Mutualism
a symbiotic rela-
tionship that is beneficial to one symbiont (the parasite) and detrimental to the other sym-
biont (the host).
Parasitism
these parasites kill their hosts;
then they must either find a new host or die.
DUMB PARASITES
parasites that do not cause disease,
smart parasites
referred to as “normal
flora”) includes all of the mi-
crobes (bacteria, fungi, proto-
zoa, and viruses) that reside
on and within that person
indigenous microflora
or indigenous microbiota
Bacteria and yeasts
that are ingested to
reestablish and stabilize
the microbial balance
within our bodies are
biotherapeutic
agents or probiotics.
microbes are
often organized into
complex and persistant
communities of
assorted organisms called
biofilms.
The bacteria grow in tiny clusters—called
—that are separated by a network of water
channels.
microcolonies
two (or more) microorganisms may “team up” to produce a disease that neither could cause by itself. This is referred to as
synergism or a syner-
gistic relationship.
nitrogen-containing animal waste products
(such as urea in urine) are converted by certain bacteria to ammonia by a process known as
ammonification.