Exam 2 Vocab/concepts Flashcards
Fastidious
Requiring strict, narrow nutritional or environmental conditions for growth. Said of bacteria
Syphilis
A sexually transmitted bacterial disease caused by the spirochete Treponema pallidum
Pure culture
A container growing a single species of microbe whose identity is known
Inoculation
The implantation of microorganisms into or upon culture media
Epidermis
Outer layer of cells covering an organism
Basic dyes
Positively charged substance that is attracted to negatively charged substances
Incubate
To isolate a sample culture in a temperature-controlled environment to encourage growth
Phenol
Poisonous compound derived from the distillation of coal tar. Surgical germicide.
Nosocomial infections
Infection due to a toxin or infection that exists in a certain location, such as a hospital
Ethylene oxide
A potent, highly water-soluble gas invaluable for gaseous sterilization of heat-sensitive objects such as plastics, surgical and diagnostics appliances, and spices. Potential hazards are related to its carcinogenic, residual, and explosive nature. Ethylene oxide is rendered nonexplosive by mixing with 90% CO2 or fluorocarbon
Autoclave
A sterilization chamber that allows the use of steam under pressure to sterilize materials. The most common pressure/temperature combination for an autoclave is 121C and 15 psi.
Alcohols
Colorless hydrocarbons. Only ethyl and isopropyl are suitable for microbial control
Disinfection
he destruction of pathogenic nonsporulating microbes or their toxins, usually on inanimate surfaces. A disinfectant is a chemical used for this purpose
Sterilization
Any process that completely removes or destroyed all viable microorganisms, including viruses, from an object or habitat. Material so treated is sterile
Hydrogen peroxide
Colorless, caustic liquid that decomposes in the presence of light, metals, or catalase into water and oxygen gas. Germicidal effects from hydroxyl free radicals
Soaps
Alkaline compounds made by combining fatty acids in oils with sodium or potassium salts. Weak microbicides
Pasteurization
Heat treatment of perishable fluids such as milk, fruit juices, or wine to destroy heat-sensitive vegetative cells, followed by rapid chilling to inhibit growth of survivors and germination of spores. It prevents infection and spoilage
Iodine
Antiseptic prep for surgies and injections
Antisepsis
Use of growth inhibiting agent (antiseptic) on tissues to prevent infection
Sanitation
To clean inanimate objects using soap and degerming agents so that they are safe and free of high levels of microorganisms
Degermation
To physically remove surface oils, debris, and soil from skin and wounds to reduce the microbial load
Formalin
A 37% aqueous solution of formaldehyde gas; a potent chemical fixative and microbicide
Chlorohexidine:
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Sterilizing gas
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Betadine
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Cidex
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Symbiosis/sybionts
An intimate association between two or more individuals that are termed symbionts; is sometimes used incorrectly as a synonym for mutualism
Agar
A polysaccharide found in seaweed and commonly used to prepare solid culture media
Broth
Type of liquid media; solutes dissolved in water
Gelatin
Media for growing microbes, not as good as agar as microbes can digest stand will melt at room temperatures
Element
A substance comprising only one kind of atom that cannot be degraded into two or more substances
Macronutrient
A chemical substance required in large quantities (phosphate, for example)
Growth factor
An organic compound such as a vitamin or amino acid that must be provided in the diet to facilitate growth. An essential nutrient
Organic compound
Substances that contain carbon and hydrogen
Autotroph
A microorganism that requires only inorganic nutrient and whose sole source of carbon is carbon dioxide
Heterotroph
An organism that relies upon organic compounds for its carbon and energy needs