class #6- synbio and bacterial virulence Flashcards
what is PCR
the polymerase chain reaction
what is synthetic biology
an interdisciplinary branch of biology and engineering
what is the function of the PCR
it produces millions of copies of specific segments of DNA
what is an endotoxin
a component of gram negative bacteria, it is a lipid
What is an exotoxin
proteins that are secreted outside of bacterial cell. can be produced by gram + or gram -
what are toxins
molecules that are produced by microorganisms that may affect cells in the infected host; there are exotoxins and endotoxins
what is mamp
Microbe-Associated Molecular Patterns
what do endtoxins cause
-vasodilatation & hypotension
-massive inflammation
-a concern for blood-banking
what are AB toxins
A subunit= catalytic portion
B subunit= binds receptor on surface of human cells
what is AB5 complex
one A subunit and 5 B subunits
it endocytosed and dissociates when pH drops
what are secretion systems
protein complexes present on the cell membranes of bacteria for secretion of substances
what is the function of a secretion system
they help bacteria cause disease
how are secretion systems classified
they are classified by how they work
what are some secretion systems
T3SS, T4SS, T6SS
how do T3SS, T4SS, T6SS systems work
they are a singular step that deliver toxins from bacteria to eukaryotic cells
who is Stanley Falkhow
An early adopter of molecular biology, he did early work on plasmids and brought molecular biology to the study of bacterial pathogenesis
what are some mechanisms of transmission
-fecal-oral
-airborne
-zoonnotic (through animals)
-sexually transmitted disease
what are opportunistic infections
Infections that occur more often or are more severe in people with weakened immune systems
what is cholera
gram negative, Vibrio cholerae
- fecal-orale route
what are opportunistic pathogens
bacteria that colonize or interact with our bodies and our innate immune system keeps them in check
how does cholera outbreak occur
during periods of chaos in areas without sanitation
what is the cholera toxin
the A subunit binds and activates adenylate cyclase (enzyme)
then results in chloride ion efflux (outward movement)
the ion imbalance results in loss of water
what are the results of chloera
severe water diarrhea, can lose as much as 20L a day, and rehydration therapy is needed
what is Botulism
a gram positive anaerobe, Clostridium botulinum, spore former
AN INTOXICATION not infection
what is the Botulism toxin
the A toxin is a protease, cleaves proteins needed for release of acetylcholine from nerve to muscle
what is Tetanus
Clostridium tetani, gram positive anaerobe, common in soils
what is the Tetanus toxin
Tetnospasmin, an AB toxin that blocks neurotransmitter release
