Intro to microbio Flashcards
What is a microorganism defined as?
A living organism that requires a microscope to be seen. Range in size from 1 mm to 0.2 micrometers
Microbiology includes the study of ______
bacteria, fungi, protozoa, microalgae, and viruses
What are a few impacts that microorganisms have on our planet?
-Participate in cycling the essential chemical CHNOPS
-Involved in photosynthesis
-Constitute the normal microbiota
Microorganisms are necessary for the production of:
bread, cheese, beers, antibiotics, vaccines, vitamins, enzymes, etc.
___ are cells that lack a defined nucleus and membrane-bound organelles
Prokaryote
______ are cells that have a true nucleus and membrane-bound organelles
Eukaryotes
What noncellular infectious agent is a microscopic creature that consists of a noncellular particle containing genetic material that takes over the metabolism of a cell to generate more virus particles.
Virus
A virus consists of what two things?
A protein coat (or capsid) and a nucleic acid (DNA or RNA)
What does the capsid protect and facilitate in a virus?
The nucleic acid and it facilitates attachment and penetration of the host cell by the virus
What noncellular infectious agent is an infectious particle that consists only of single-strand RNA without protein capsids?
Viroids
Viroids usually infect _
Plants
What noncellular infectious agents are transmissible proteinaceous infectious agents with no nucleic acid components?
Prions
What is a causative agent for degenerative central nervous system disease in humans and animals?
Prions
The normal or cellular form of the prion protein (PrPc) is expressed on the surface of neurons in:
a) infected brains
b) uninfected brains
c)both
c) both
What are some examples of diseases caused by prions?
CJD, Kuru, and fatal familial insomnia in humans
Mad cow disease in cattle and scrapie in sheep
