Chapter 16 - Microbiology and Biotechnology Flashcards
Microbiology
The study of small living things
Micro-organisms
(a.k.a microbes) are small small living things
Name three types of micro-organisms
Viruses
Bacteria
Fungi
Describe the characteristics of viruses
○Smallest micro-organisms ○Cannot reproduce by themselves ○Said to be parasites ○Not killed by antibiotics ○Controlled by antibodies
Name some virus diseases
Measles Mumps Chicken pox Polio Colds Flu Cold sores AIDS
Describe the characteristics of bacteria
○Larger than viruses ○Simple organisms with no nucleus ○Require food, water and a suitable temperature and pH to grow ○Reproduce asexually ○Most live on dead material ○Controlled using antibiotics
Antibiotics
Chemicals made by micro-organisms which kill or prevent the growth of bacteria e.g. Penicillin
Name some bacterial diseases
Tetanus TB Pneumonia Sore throats Tooth and gum decay Food poisoning Cholera Anthrax
How can bacteria be useful?
- Cause dead plants and animals to decay
- Make food such as cheese, butter and yogurt
- Used in biotechnology
How can bacteria be harmful?
- Cause diseases
- Destroy foods
- Destroy crops in a field
Describe the characteristics of fungi
○Simple plants that do not contain chlorophyll
○Not green and cannot make their own food
○Many feed on dead material and act as decomposers
○Some are single celled while some form long threads
How can fungi be useful?
- Cause dead plants and animals to decay
- Some can be eaten
- Used to make alcohol
How can fungi be harmful?
- Cause human diseases
- Some are poisonous
- Cause food to rot
Biotechnology
Use of living things, or parts of living things, to produce useful products
State two industrial uses of biotechnology
○Using yeast to produce alcohol
○Using bacteria to produce enzymes for washing powder and stain removers -> biological detergents
