Intro to Microbiology Flashcards
Microorganism characteristics
1) Small
2) Organism
3) NOT part of a multicellular organization.
- Can be a single cell or group of identical cells.
Microscopically small range…
ask
Characteristics of Organisms
- Living + ability to metabolize
- Live independently
Are obligate parasites organisms?
- They do not have the ability to live independently but still considered organism because it needs a host to live + metabolize.
Are viruses microorganisms?
FOR:
1) It is small enough
2) It cannot live independently but it has the ability to live/metabolize in the presence of a host… It ensures its survival this way.
- They are able to adapt effectively in a host.
Characteristics of living organisms
1) Composed of cells
2) Ability to react to environment
3) Hunger
4) Obtain energy but not necessarily MAKE it.
5) Maintain internal equilibrium.
6) Grow and reproduce
7) Species must be able to undergo evolutionary adaptations.
Chemotropism
Attraction to chemical substance.
Usually results in growth/movement.
- Based on reaction to environment.
Phototropism
Orientation of an organism towards the light.
What is metabolism?
Chemical absorption or transformation that is involved with maintaining the living state of cell.
Anabolism + Catabolism
To be metabolically active, we have to be able to obtain, generate and use energy.
Anabolism
Construction or Synthesis via absorption of molecules
Catabolism
Destruction or degradation via transformation of molecules.
Which ones are cellular organisms?
Fungi, Virus, Bacteria, Prions, viroids, protists, archaea
Fungi, Bacteria, Protists + archaea
Which organisms are Acellular?
Fungi, Virus, Bacteria, Prions, viroids, protists, archaea
Cells that are not considered to be “living”…
Virus
Viroids (RNA-filled)
Prions (Protein-filled + no DNA)
Environmental microbiology
Study of microbial processes in the environment
Food microbiology
Study of pathogenic microorganisms that cause diseases associated with food + spoilage
Industrial microbiology
Use and development of microorganisms in biotechnology
Medical microbiology
Study, diagnosis + treatment of microbial diseases
Mycology
Study of fungi
Protozoology
Study of protists
Virology
Study of viruses
Epidemiology
Study of role of microorganism in healthy + diseased populations
Immunology
Study of defense mechanisms of the body against viruses, bacteria + fungi.
