Entire Microbiology Vocabulary Flashcards
mutual opposition or contrary action; the inhibition of one microorganism by another
Antagonism
glycoprotein substance developed by the body in response to, and interacting specifically with, an antigen; also known as immunoglobulin
Antibody
a foreign substance that stimulates the formation of antibodies that react specifically with it
Antigen
the prevention or inhibiting of the growth of causative microorganisms
Antisepsis
dilution or weakening of the virulence of a microorganism; reducing or abolishing pathogenicity
Attenuation
self-nourishing bacteria
Autotrophic Bacteria
rod-shaped bacteria
Bacillus (pl. Bacilli)
the presence of bacteria in the blood
Bacteremia
a prokaryotic one-celled microorganism of the Kingdom Monera, existing as free-living organisms or as parasites, multiplying by binary fission and having a large range of biochemical properties
Bacteria
a visible group of bacteria growing on a solid medium, presumably arising from a single microorganism
Bacterial Colony
an agent that destroys bacteria but not necessarily their spores
Bactericide
science that studies bacteria
Bacteriology
a method of asexual reproduction involving halving of the nucleus and cytoplasm of the cell followed by the development of each half into a new individual cell
Binary Fission
an arthropod vector in which the disease-causing organism multiplies or develops within the arthropod prior to becoming infective
Biological Vector
Chlorine-containing compounds
Bleaches (hypochlorites)
a coating that surrounds some bacterial cells; a loose gel-like structure that, in pathogenic bacteria, helps to protect against phagocytosis
Capsule
a large group of nonmotile, gram-negative intracellular parasites
Chlamydia
the type of bacteria that is spherical or round in form
Coccus (pl. Cocci)
the symbiotic relationship of two organisms of different species in which one 1gains some benefit such as protection or nourishment and the other is not harmed or benefited
Commensalism
a disease that may be transmitted directly or indirectly from one individual to another
Communicable
the act of introducing pathogens or infectious material into or on an inanimate object
Contamination
a pair of bacilli, linked end to end
Diplobacilli
spherical bacteria that occur in pairs
Diplococci
a chemical or physical agent that destroys or inhibits disease-causing microorganisms
Disinfectant
the destruction or inhibition of disease-causing microorganisms by chemical or physical means
Disinfection
resistant, as in bacteria, to the action of a drug or drugs
Drug-fast
a disease that occurs continuously in a particular region
Endemic
organism disorder caused by an infectious agent already present in the body
Endogenous Infection
a thick-walled body produced by a bacterium to enable it to survive unfavorable environmental conditions
Endospore
a bacterial toxin that is liberated only when the cell producing it disintegrates
Endotoxin
disease or condition that is currently in higher than normal numbers in a given community
Epidemic
a form of infection caused by a pathogen or agent not normally present in the body
Exogenous Infection
a bacterial toxin produced within a living cell and secreted into its surrounding medium
Exotoxin
a microorganism that prefers an environment devoid of oxygen but has adapted so that it can live and grow in the presence of oxygen
Facultative Aerobe
an organism that prefers the presence of oxygen but is capable of living and growing in its absence
Facultative Anaerobe
prefers dead organic matter as a source of nutrition but can adapt to the use of living organic matter under certain conditions
Facultative Parasite
prefers living organic matter as a source of nutrition but can adapt to the use of dead organic matter under certain conditions
Facultative Saprophyte
one in which the organisms are originally confined to one area but enter the blood or lymph vessels and spread to other parts of the body
Focal Infection
any inanimate object that harbors a disease agent and may serve to transmit it
Fomite