Introduction To Microbiology Flashcards
What is normal flora?
Micro-organisms that are found all over the body, but don’t cause any harm.
What is a benefit of Normal Flora?
Normal Flora helps prevent the overgrowth of harmful organisms because they compete for the resources available within the environment.
Example: Lactobacillus casei prevents the growth of harmful bacteria like heliobacter pylori.
What is a pathogen?
A micro-organism that has potential to cause disease.
What is an infection?
The invasion and multiplication of pathogenic microbes in an individual.
How does a microbe cause an infection?
A microbe must enter the body to cause infection.
Describe the term disease.
When an infection causes damage to the individuals vital functions or systems.
Name 4 types of micro-organism and give an example of each.
Viruses (Influenza)
Bacteria (Cholera)
Protozoa (Malaria)
Fungi (Athletes Foot)
How can infectious disease spread?
Direct contact
Indirect contact
Inhaling pathogens
Body fluids
Faecal-oral route
Vector organisms
Name 4 ways microbes can enter the body.
Respiratory tract
Gastrointestinal tract
Urogenital tract
Breaks in the skin surface
What is in a vaccine?
Altered micro-organisms that will not cause disease in the host. This involves inactivating or killing the microbe, or using sub-units of the microbe.
What is the role of a vaccine?
The host is able to produce antibodies (faster and in higher concentration) to attack the vaccine, meaning that the body is prepared in case it gets exposed again.
What are the 4 common types of vaccines?
Live, Attenuated
Killed/Inactivated
Toxoids (inactivated toxin)
Subunit and Conjugate
What are the two distinct groups that microorganisms are split into?
Prokaryotic
Eukaryotic
What is a prokaryotic organism? Give example(s).
Prokaryotic organisms have a lack of defined nucleus.
Example: Bacteria
What is a eukaryotic organism? Give example(s).
Eukaryotic organisms have a defined nucleus.
Examples: Fungi, Protozoa, Viruses
