Intro to Microb

Question 1

Briefly describe scientific names

Answer 1

Scientific names
Are italicized or underlined
The genus is capitalized; the specific epithet is lowercase
Are “Latinized” and used worldwide
May be descriptive or honor a scientist
After the first use, scientific names may be abbreviated with the first letter of the genus and the specific epithet

Question 2

Briefly describe bacteria.

Answer 2

Prokaryotes
“Prenucleus”
Single-celled
Peptidoglycan cell walls
Divide via binary fission
Derive nutrition from organic or inorganic chemicals or photosynthesis
May “swim” by using moving appendages called flagella

Question 3

Briefly describe archaea.

Answer 3

Are prokaryotes
Lack peptidoglycan cell walls
May lack cell wall entirely
Often live in extreme environments
Generally not known to cause disease in humans

Question 4

Briefly describe fungi.

Answer 4

Eukaryotes
Distinct nucleus surrounding DNA genetic material
Chitin cell walls
Absorb organic chemicals for energy
Yeasts are unicellular
Molds and mushrooms are multicellular

Question 5

Briefly describe protazoa.

Answer 5

Eukaryotes
Absorb or ingest organic chemicals
May be motile via pseudopods, cilia, or flagella
Free-living or parasitic (derive nutrients from a living host)
Some are photosynthetic
Reproduce sexually or asexually

Question 6

Briefly describe algae.

Answer 6

Eukaryotes
Cellulose cell walls
Found in freshwater, saltwater, and soil
Use photosynthesis for energy
Produces oxygen and carbohydrates
Sexual and asexual reproduction possible

Question 7

Briefly describe viruses.

Answer 7

Acellular
Consist of DNA or RNA core
Core is surrounded by a protein coat
Coat may be enclosed in a lipid envelope
Are replicated only when they are in a living host cell
Inert outside living hosts

Question 8

Briefly describe helminths.

Answer 8

multicellular animal parasites
Eukaryotes
Multicellular animals
Not strictly microorganisms

Question 9

Briefly define spontaneous generation.

Answer 9

the hypothesis that life arises from nonliving matter; a “vital force” is necessary for life

Question 10

Briefly define biogenesis.

Answer 10

the hypothesis that living cells arise only from preexisting living cells

Question 11

Briefly describe pasteurization.

Answer 11

Pasteurization is the application of a high heat for a short time to kill harmful bacteria in beverages

Question 12

Briefly describe the germ theory of disease.

Answer 12

that microbes are in the air, can spoil food, and cause animal diseases

Question 13

Briefly describe chemotherapy.

Answer 13

Treatment of disease with chemicals