Intro to Microorganisms - Infectious Agents/microbes Flashcards
List the six stages of the Chain of Infection model
Infectious Agent, Reservoir, Exit Portal, Mode of Transmission, Entry Portal, Susceptible Host.
Define Standard Precautions
Practices/actions we take to protect both the patient and healthcare professional from healthcare related infections.
Give examples of some standard precautions
Hand hygiene, PPE, patient placement, isolation, disposal of sharp objects, appropriate handling of linen, routine environmental cleaning, waste management, cough etiquette, cleaning reusable medical equipment/instruments, aseptic non-touch technique.
Describe a Prokaryote (Bacteria) cell
- DNA not enclosed in membrane, no true nucleus, DNA is one continuous loop of chromosome.
- Do not have membrane-bound organelles
- Cells multiply by binary fission
- Simpler cell.
Describe a Eukaryote cell
- DNA is in the Nucleus
- Membrane enclosed organelles
- More complex cell
When naming a cellular microorganism, which comes first? species or genus?
Genus
Name the 3 types of bacteria
Resident, beneficial and opportunist
Species that are always in or on the human body are known as?
Resident microflora
List some characteristics of beneficial bacteria
- Crowd out and prevent infection by harmful bacteria
- Assist with various body processes
Describe an opportunist bacteria
Microflora that is potentially harmful and can cause disease under certain conditions. e.g E. coli
List the bacterial structures.
Capsule, cell wall, cell membrane, cytoplasm, ribosome, chromosome, plasmid, pili, flagellum & endospore.
list the functions of each structure: Capsule, cell wall, cell membrane, cytoplasm, ribosome, chromosome, plasmid, pili, flagellum & endospore.
- Outer layer, protects, aids attachment, fixed regular shape.
- Rigid structure, contains peptidoglycan, offers protection from environmental factors
- “Security” of the cell, semi-permeable, controls what comes in and out of cell.
- Jelly-like fluid inside cell membrane.
- Makes proteins
- Continuous loop of DNA
- ‘Bonus’ piece of DNA
- Helps attachment, thin hair-like found on surface of cell
- For movement
- ‘Survival mode system’ VERY resistant to heat.
What is a gram stain test used for?
First step in the identification of bacterial species
What are disease causing microorganisms called?
Pathogens
Do gram positive bacteria have a thicker or thinner layer of peptidoglycan?
Thicker
Are fungi prokaryotes or eukaryotes?
Eukaryotes
What are unicellular fungi called?
Yeasts
What are multicellular fungi called?
Moulds
Name a superficial fungal infection.
Athletes foot or Ringworm
Name a systemic fungal infection.
Aspergillosis
Are protozoa prokaryotes or eukaryotes?
Eukaryotes
Protozoa are classified by the way they ___________
Move
List three ways a protozoa moves.
Cilia, flagella, pseudopodia, or through a vector e.g mosquito
List two protozoan infections that can occur in humans.
Malaria, Giardiasis
A protozoa forms a _________ when conditions are unfavourable
Cyst
List main characteristic of fungi
Eukaryote cell, very diverse, classified by how they reproduce.
Where would you find yeasts?
In soil, water & surfaces of fruit and vegetables.
Give an example of an opportunist fungal infection
Vaginal or oral thrush.
Describe the structure of viruses
RNA/DNA, Capsid, envelope, protein spikes
What does obligate intracellular parasite mean?
A virus needs a host cell in order to replicate.
List the 5 steps of viral replication.
Attachment, Entry/Uncoating, Replication, Assembly, Release.
Name two examples of common viral infections.
Common cold, Influenza, Coronavirus/Covid 19, Measles, Mumps
What characteristics distinguish viruses from cellular organisms?
Are acellular (no cell structure)
Requires a host to replicate
Host-cell specific
