Introduction Flashcards
Define microbiology
the study of microorganisms
Define microorganisms
organisms that can’t be seen by the naked eye because they’re microscopic
What are the characteristics of microorganisms?
they can generate energy and grow without the help of other cells
Define biofilms
communities where microbes can communicate and initiate group behaviour
What century were microscopes invented in?
17th
What was Robert Hooke’s contribution?
1665: gave cells their name, published first accurate microscopic drawings
What was Antoni van Leeuwenhoek’s contribution?
1684: “father of microbiology”, published first microbe drawing
The causes of infectious disease were unknown until ___
19th century
What did poor medical knowledge lead to?
inaccurate theories about disease cause, witch hunts, inappropriate treatment
What is spontaneous generation?
What was thought to be needed in order for it to happen?
- the theory that some vital force can create living organisms from inanimate objects
- fresh air
What was Francesco Redi’s contribution?
1600: demonstrated meat didn’t produce maggots if it was covered with gauze
What was Lazzaro Spallanzani’s contribution?
1800: demonstrated nothing grew in boiled/sealed liquids
What was Ignaz Semelweis’s contribution?
1847: showed childbed fever (puerperal sepsis) is contagious and washing hands in chlorine solution was a solution
What was Joseph Lister’s contribution?
1867: found phenol solution reduced death from infection after surgery
What was Robert Koch’s contribution?
1877: anthrax was caused by bacillus anthracis and tuberculosis was also caused by bacteria (1882)
What did Pasteur’s experiment prove?
microbes were present in the air and a possible source of infection
What came of Pasteur’s findings?
sterilization, pasteurization, vaccines
Who wrote the Diagnostic Bacteriologique?
Dr. Trouessart
What are the types of microorganisms?
- prokaryotes (bacteria and archaea)
- eukaryotes (protazoa, algae, fungi, plant cells, animal cells)
- viruses/viroids/prions
What is LUCA?
Last Common Known Ancestor
Microbes on Earth: ___% marine subsurface, ___% terrestrial surface, ___% surface soil, ___% oceans, ___% other
66/26/4.8/2.2/1.0
True or false: microbes have been present anywhere scientists have looked, even in extreme conditions
true
Which industries specifically are microbes crucial for?
the food industry, the pharmaceutical industry, the agriculture industry, the environmental industry
