Chapter 4

Question 1

Microbiology

Answer 1

The study of microorganisms. The scientific study of the nature, life and action of microorganisms.

Question 2

Contamination

Answer 2

The state of being soiled by contact with infectious organisms or other materials.

Question 3

Pathogen

Answer 3

Capable of producing disease.

Question 4

Micron

Answer 4

1/25,000 of an inch or 1/1,000 of a millimeter.

Question 5

Aerobic

Answer 5

Requiring the presence of air or free oxygen.

Question 6

Anaerobic

Answer 6

Bacteria that can live in the absence of atmospheric oxygen.

Question 7

Endospores (spores)

Answer 7

Microorganisms capable of forming a thick wall around themselves, enabling them to survive in adverse conditions.

Question 8

Gram Stain

Answer 8

Differential stain used to classify bacteria as gram positive or gram negative, depending on whether they retain or lose the primary stain (crystal violet) when subjected to a decolorizing agent.

Question 9

Acid-Fast (Ziehl-Neelsen Stain)

Answer 9

One of the two main types of staining processes used to identify the shapes and characteristics of bacteria.

Question 10

pH

Answer 10

Measure of alkalinity or acidity on a scale of 0 to 14; pH of 7 is neutral (neither acid or alkaline); pH blow 7 is acid; pH above 7 is alkaline

Question 11

Vegetative Stage

Answer 11

State of active growth of microorganisms (as opposed to the resting or spore stages).

Question 12

Binary Fission

Answer 12

The typical method of bacterial reproduction in which a cell divides in to two equal parts.

Question 13

Prion

Answer 13

An infectious protein particle that, unlike a virus, contains no nucleic acid, does not trigger an immune response, and is not destroyed by extreme heat or cold.