Introduction to Microbes Flashcards
What is microbiology?
Study of microscopic living forms
BUT SOME ARE VERY LARGE
Which are the medically important micro-organisms?
Virus
Bacteria
Fungi
Parasites
Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes
Prokaryotes – Bacteria
Eukaryotes – fungi, parasites
Virus – don’t fit in
What are the differences between Eukaryotes and Prokaryotes?
Eukaryotic cells contain a nucleus with a nuclear membrane enclosing multiple chromosomes.
Prokaryotic cells have a single chromosome that is not enclosed in a nuclear membrane.
The cell wall of prokaryotes vs eukaryotes
PRO: Contains peptidoglycan, lipids, and proteins
EUK: Absent
When present contains chitin or cellulose
The nuclear membrane, chromosomes, and ploidy of prokaryotes vs eukaryotes.
PRO: Absent (nuclear membrane)
Single, closed, circular, dsDNA (chromosomes)
Haploid (ploidy)
EUK:
Present nuclear membrane
Multiple, linear, chromosomes
Diploid, haploid
The motility in prokaryotes vs eukaryotes.
PRO: has a simple flagella
EUK: has a complex flagella
Which ribosome is found in Prokaryotes?
70S
Which ribosome is present in Eukaryotes?
80S
These are absent in Prokaryotes:
Mitochondria
Golgi complex
Endoplasmic reticulum
But they are present in Eukaryotes
These are present in Eukaryotes:
Mitochondria
Golgi complex
Endoplasmic reticulum
But they are absent in Prokaryotes
So, what is commonly present in PROS and EUK?
Cytoplasmic membrane.
in PRO it has phospholipids with no sterols with some exceptions
in EUK it has both phospholipids and sterols
Where is energy generated in PROKARYOTES?
Cytoplasmic membrane-associated
Where is energy generated in EUKARYOTES?
mitochondria
Sexual reproduction in PROKARYOTES?
Absent
Sexual reproduction in EUKARYOTES?
Present may alternate with asexual reproduction
How is the recombination and gene exchange done in PROKARYOTES?
Chromosomal or plasmid gene exchange via transformation, transduction or conjugation
How is the recombination and gene exchange done in EUKARYOTES?
Diploid zygote formed from haploid germ cells; meiosis results in genetic recombination
What are viruses essentially?
Strict intracellular parasites of other living cells
What organisms do viruses affect?
Mammals, plants, even bacteria!! (bacteriophages)
Give a description of VIRUSES characteristics
> Biologically active, replicate
Either DNA/RNA –never both!
Protein coat over the nucleic acid
Sometimes lipid surface membrane from the cell they infect
> Viruses use their own genes to replicate but they direct the infected cell to make the component parts (other structures that they need?)
> The infected cell may die due to lysis
Give a description of BACTERIA
Have a cell wall, cytoplasmic membrane
Cytoplasm only contains ribosomes & single DS DNA
NO organelles
NO nucleus
Free living
Binary fission in artificial media-grow within a day
What is the size range for BACTERIA?
0,1 - 10um
What are the shapes of BACTERIA?
Cocci- round Bacilli – rod-like Cocco-bacilli-very short rods Spirochaetes – spiral Curved
What are the different possible arrangements of BACTERIA?
Bacteria can be arranged in:
> Clusters
Chains
Coryneform(chinese letters)
Describe the Capsule found in BACTERIA
- Hydrophilic gel
- Almost all bacteria
- Not readily stained
- Slime
- Capsule- discreet layer
- Smooth,mucoid colonies on agar
- Polysaccharide
What is the function of the capsule in Bacteria?
Functions:
- Protection
- Interferes with phagocytosis (ingestion by neutrophils)
- Aid colonization-attach to surfaces
- Not necessary for survival
What is the cell wall?
Internal to capsule ALL bacteria (except cell wall-less Chlamydia, mycoplasma)
What are the functions of cell wall in bacteria?
Function:
- Rigidity & shape
- Protection from bursting & mechanical disruption
- Barrier from toxins
- Anti-phagocytosis
The main structural component of the cell wall is a ‘———’, a mixed polymer of hexose sugars and amino acids.
PEPTIDOGLYCAN