Infection - Microbes Flashcards
What are the four main classifications of microbes that cause disease in humans?
Viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites
What is a prion?
An infectious agent composed entirely of protein material which induces abnormal folding of specific normal cellular proteins called prion proteins
Put the following in order from smallest to largest:
Mitochondria, viruses, prions, mycoplasma/chlamydiae/rickettsiae, proteins
- prions
- proteins
- viruses
- mycoplasma/chlamydiae/rickettsiae
- mitochondria
Put the following microorganisms in order from smallest to largest:
Eukaryotic cells, worms, bacteria, mitochondria
- mitochondria
- bacteria
- eukaryotic cells
- worms
What are yeasts, protozoa and human cells all examples of?
Eukaryotic cells
What is the Baltimore classification of viruses?
A virus classification system that groups viruses into seven families, depending on their type of genome and method of replication.
What are the three types of DNA virus?
- single-stranded non-enveloped, eg. parvovirus 19
- double-stranded non-enveloped, eg. Adenovirus
- double-stranded enveloped, eg. herpes viruses
What is a viral envelope?
Envelopes derived from portions of the host cell membrane which also contain glycoproteins. The glycoproteins indenting and bind to receptor sites on the host membrane so that the envelopes can fuse.
Why are infections by enveloped viruses sometimes easier to treat?
The actual lipid bilayer of the viruses is often weaker and sensitive to destination, heat and detergents. They cannot survive for long outside the host environment.
What are the four types of RNA viruses?
1) Single-stranded, positive strand, icosahedral, non-enveloped, eg. norovirus
2) single-stranded, positive strand, icosahedral/helical, enveloped, eg. HIV
3) Single-stranded, negative strand, helical, enveloped, eg. Ebola
4) Double-stranded, icosahedral, non-enveloped, eg. Rotavirus
What is a bacteriophage?
A virus that can infect bacteria, meaning that DNA is transmitted between bacteria.
True or false - bacteria always contains RNA?
False - it’s always DNA
Why are plasmids particularly important?
They can transfer genes for antibiotic resistance between bacteria
What is a bacterial capsule made of?
Polysaccharides, which do not stimulate the immune response and therefore protect the bacterium
What are circular shaped bacteria called?
Cocci