Eukaryotic Microbes Flashcards
Define mycology
The study of fungi
What is the difference between fungal spores and bacterial endospores?
Endospores are used for survival of certain bacteria. While fungal spores are used for fungal reproduction.
What is the purpose of a cysts of a protozoa?
Cysts are similar to the function of endospores, used to protect protozoa when in harsh environments.
What are the adaptations of helmiths that distinguish them from the free-living animals?
Lacks a digestive system: Lives in an environment that the food has already been digested. Low motility: There is no need to move around and search for food.
What are the two microbe species in the fungi kingdom?
Molds, and yeasts.
Define a mold
Aerobic filamentous fungi
Define a hyphae.
Multicellular filaments of a mold colony.
Define a vegetative hyphae.
hyphae that runs parallel to the substrate that are responsible for obtaining nutrients.
Define an aerial hyphae.
Hyphae that runs perpendicular to the substrate (in the air). Are responsable for reproduction, and ofter bears spores.
How do molds reproduce?
Through the fragmentation of the aerial hyphae.
Define asexual spores.
From the hyphae of one organism, that is genetically idential to the parent, and is able to germinate to form a new mold.
Define sexual spores.
Spores that are able to germinate by fusing two nuclei of opposite mating strains of the same species. (Combination of genetic material from two organisms.)
Define a yeast
A nonfilamentous, unicellular fungus. Its shape is generally round or oval. Are capable of facultative anaerobic growth, and are generally more adaptable than bacterial. (Tolerate more environments than bacteria)
Define budding in respects to yeast.
Yeast reproduction method. Similar to fission, but instead of dividing in half, the yeast forms a small node that eventually grows into a new yeast.
Define an opportunistic pathogen.
Microorganism that are only pathogenic when given a special opportunity. (Someone who is immunocompromised, or if competition is low, causing the population to grow.
What are some characteristics of the Candida albicans?
A yeast. Is generally found in normal microbiota of the skin, genitourinary tract, and mouth. Are opportunistic pathogens, and can cause thrush or vaginitis if the population is able to grow out of control, due to lack of competition.
What are some characteristics of Pneumocystis jiroveci?
Opportunistic pathogen that can cause Pneumocystic pneumonia in immunocompromised individuals. (People with AIDS)
Define Protozoa.
A unicellular eukaryote, that are chemoheterotrophs, generally lives in areas with a large supply of water.
Define a trophozoite in respect to protozoa.
The feeding/growing state of protozoa. Typically motile.
Define Schizogony.
Multiple fission, dividing into multiple protozoa rather than just 2.
Define a cyst in respects to protozoa
A protective capsules that protozoa produce to survive in harsh conditions.
Define a complex life cycle in protozoa.
Parasitic protozoa that need to live in multiple hosts to complete its life cycle.
What are some characteristics of Plasmodium?
Parasitic protozoa that causes malaria. Has a complex life cycle. In the intermediate host causes destruction of red blood cells, changes the shape of red blood cells shape causing the clogs in tissue capillaries.
Define a definitive host in protozoa.
The host that harbors the sexually reproducing stage of parasitic protozoa.
Define a intermediate host in protozoa.
The host that harbors the asexual reproducting stage of parasitic protozoa. (Generally the pathogenic phase)
Define a helmith
A microscopic multicellular worm. Often parasitic. Lack a digestive system, with a reduced nenrvous system, reduced locomotion, and has a compex reproductive system.
Define definitive host in helmith.
Define intermediate host in helmith.
Define a Monoecious in helminths
Helminths that are hermaphroditic
Define a Dioecious in helminths.
Helminths that have separate sexes.
Helminths that have separate sexes.
The head of the helminths that have suckers, and hooks used for attachment.
What are the characteristics of Tapeworms
Helminths worms that are intestinal parasites, have a scolex, and are segmented (Each segment contains male and female reproductive organs. As the segments mature; they will detatch at the tail end, disintegrate, and release eggs.) Segements are called proglottid.
Characteristics of Flukes
Flat, and leaf-shaped Helminths. Has Oral and ventral suckers that anchor the fluke in place. Able to absorb food through cuticles
Characteristics of Roundworms
Helminth cylindrical worms that are tapered at the ends, with a coomplete digestive system, are motil, and mostly dioecious. Infection occurs by ingestion of eggs. Eggs are excreted in feces and can survive in soil up to 10 years in the soil.
