Introduction to Microbiology Flashcards
what is microbiology?
“the study of small life” where the small life refers to microorganisms or microbers.
are microscopic organism that exists as cellular microbes and the acellular microbes.
microorganisms or microbes
are so tiny that they can only be seen with the aid of microscopes
microorganisms
can be either unicellular, where one cell is the entire organism, or multicellular, where numerous number of cells can make up the entire organism.
cellular microbes
can infect and cause diseases on human, plants or animals.
pathogenic microorganism
are beneficial to the host
non-pathogenic microorganisms
is a population of microorganisms naturally present within a healthy body.
normal flora
it could be on the skin surface, within natural body cavities, in the gastrointestinal tract or reproductive tract.
normal flora
Characteristics of Microorganisms
- Morphological characteristics
- Chemical composition
- Cultural characteristics
- Metabolic characteristics
- Antigenic characteristic
- Genetic characteristics
- Pathogenecity
- Ecological characteristics
cell shape, size, and structure, special structures, cell arrangements, staining reactions and motility and flagellar arrangements.
Morphological characteristics
chemical constituents of the cells
chemical composition
nutritional requirements and physical conditions required for growth, and the manner in which growth occurs, type of culture medium.
cultural characteristics
how cells obtain and use their energy, carry out chemical reactions
metabolic characteristics
distinctive chemical components (antigens) of the microorganisms
antigenic characteristic
also called prokaryotes (no nuclear membrane); unicellular, enclosed in cell walls rich in carbohydrates and peptidoglycan; divides by binary fusion
bacteria
also prokaryotic, cell walls lacks peptidoglycan; found in extreme environments.
archaea
eukaryotic cell (with distinct nucleus); may be uni/multicellular
fungi
unicellular eukaryotic; move by appendages
protozoa
photosynthetic eukaryotes; cell walls are made of cellulose (plant carbohydrate)
algae
acellular microorganism; made either of DNA or RNA surrounded by a protein coat, that is sometimes further encased in a lipid membrane; need host cells to reproduce.
virus
although not strictly microorganisms, these organisms are microscopic in some stages of their development. also use microbiological Techniques in their diagnosis.
multicellular animal parasites
hereditary material of the cell
genetic characteristic
ability to cause disease of a microorganisms
pathogenecity
habitat and distribution of microorganisms in nature, and interactions between and among species in natural environment.
ecological characteristics
