Humans And The Microbial World

Question 1

What is Microbiology? Broad and normal.

Answer 1

The branch of biology involving the study of microbes.
(Not just study of microorganisms as viruses aren’t living themselves.)

Question 2

What are 2 applications of microbiology?

Answer 2

1. Food production (yeast)
2. Biotechnology and Genetic engineering (making synthetic insulin)

Question 3

What are 3 main points on why medical microbiology is important.

Answer 3

1. Some microorganisms are pathogens.
2. Most pathogenic bacteria identified (1875-1918)
3. Huge improvements in past century in human health.

Question 4

Define vector borne disease.

Answer 4

Disease that is carried by other organisms.

Question 5

What is a common Host-Microbe interaction in humans? And how can microbes be beneficial to us?

Answer 5

1. All surfaces of human body populated by microorganisms..
2. These Beneficial microbes – normal microbiotaor normal flora: prevent diseases, development of immune system, aid in digestion.

Question 6

How are microorganisms good model organisms?

Answer 6

They are much easier to experiment on due to life expectancy and size.
Metabolism, genetics are similar to higher life forms .

Question 7

What separates Bacteria from Archaea?

Answer 7

The cell wall.
Bacterial: cell wall peptidoglycan
Archaea: cell wall no peptidoglycan. (Often extremophiles!)