lecture 3- controlling microorganisms Flashcards
disinfection
destroys most microbial life, reducing contamination on inanimate surfaces
- destroy vegetative (growing) cells
- doesn’t kill bacterial spores
- conditions too harsh to use on people
antisepsis
destroys most microbial life, reducing contamination on a living surface
-Use “antiseptics”, chemical agents that kill microbes
sterilization
destruction of all microbial life
-used for inanimate objects, never living tissue as too harsh
what are cells?
packages of water, genetics, proteins, sometimes have cell wall
highest resistance
- bacterial endospores
- pirons (infectious proteins)
- no moving parts, low enzymes therefore few targets to kill
moderate resistance
- Protozoan cysts (kind of like a spore)
- fungal sexual spores,
- naked viruses (does not have a membrane)
- resistant bacteria (like some Gram+)
least resistance
- growing bacterial cells (expire quickly without water)
- growing eukaryotic cells
- enveloped viruses (c/membrane - HIV)
- yeast
how are viruses resistant?
- dont need food
- many don’t need water
how are bacterial spores resistant?
- some Gram-positive make spores
- don’t need food
- strong protein coat protects genetic material and enzymes inside
- low water content
how are some bacteria resistant?
ESP. Gram +
- thick cell wall
- resist desiccation (drying)
how are eukaryotes resistant?
- protozoan cysts
- fungal spores
- Strong protein coats
- Don’t need water
how is microbial death characterized?
- cell structures dysfunctional (irreversible damage)
- cant reproduce
- Need microbicidal agent
-cidal
killed
-static
not killed, won’t grow in mass numbers, removes them
what affects microbial killing rate
- number of organisms (harder to kill lots - fewer cells, less sterilization time)
- type of microbial population
- concentration of decontaminating agents (less concentrated, less killing)
- mode of action for agent
- presence of solvents, organic matter, and inhibitors
- environment temp and pH