LO 1 Part 2 Flashcards
Describe the binomial system of nomenclature
- The generic (genus) name followed by the species name
- Genus is capitalized, species is lower case
- Both are italicized or underlined when italics aren’t available (such as handwriting)
What are the main 3 bacterial shapes?
- Spherical (cocci)
- Rod shaped (bacilli)
- Spiral shaped (vibrios, spirilla, spirochetes)
The prefix “Diplo” describes bacteria that prefer to live in _______
Pairs
The prefix “strepto” describes bacteria that prefer to live in _______
Chains
The prefix “staphylo” refers to bacteria who prefer to live in _______
Clusters
Describe the 3 spiral forms of bacteria (vibrios, spirilla, spirochaetes)
- Vibrios - are cells which resemble a comma. Typical representative is Vibrio cholerae
- Spirilla - are coiled forms of bacteria such as helicobacter pylori (causitive agent of stomach ulcers)
- Spirochaetes - flexuous (doesn’t have rigid cell wall of spirilla) spiral forms which include treponema (T.pallidium)
In addition to creating rigidity in a bacterium, the cell wall protects against _________
Osmotic damage
Chemically, the rigid part of the cell wall is made of _______
Peptidoglycan
Describe Gram staining
- First described by Gram in 1884
- Staining method used to study morphologic appearance of bacteria
- Bacteria can either be Gram positive (purple/blue) or Gram negative (pink/red)
- Staining is based on composition of cell wall
What do the membranes/cell walls of Gram-positive bacteria look like?
Cell membrane surrounded by thick layer of peptidoglycan (cell wall)
What do the membranes/cell walls of Gram-negative bacteria look like?
Inner membrane surrounded by thin layer of peptidoglycan covered in an outer membrane (LPS layer)
What are the 4 steps of Gram staining?
- Application of crystal violet (purple dye - primary stain )
- Application of iodine (moderant)
- Alcohol wash (decolorization)
- Application of fuchsine or safranin (pink dye - counter stain)
Describe Gram-positive bacteria
- Stain blue/purple
- Cell wall typically rich with peptidoglycan
- Lacks secondary membrane and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) layer of Gram-negative bacteria
Describe Gram-negative bacteria
- Stain red or pink because of the counter stain (due to higher lipid content)
- Have only a few layers of peptidoglycan
- Have secondary cell membrane primarily of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)
- Counter stained with safranin or fuchsine
Peptidoglycan readily absorbs _______
Crystal violet
Gram-positive infections are usually ______ severe because the body does not contain ______
Less; peptidoglycan
The human body produces the enzyme _______ that attacks the peptidoglycan layer of Gram-positive bacteria
Lysozyme
Gram-________ bacteria is much more susceptible to some antibiotics such as penicillin
Positive
What is lipopolysaccharide?
An endotoxin that increases severity of inflammation, fever, bone destruction, haemorrhage, and vomiting (body trying to get that shit OUT)
Define endotoxin
a toxin that is present inside a bacterial cell and is released when the cell disintegrates. It is sometimes responsible for the characteristic symptoms of a disease
Gram-______ bacteria are more pathogenic due to their outer membrane structure, which is often hidden by a ________
Negative;capsule or slime layer
______ bacteria neither stains blue-purple or pink-red
Gram variable
What 2 mediums are used to culture bacteria?
- Liquid form (broth medium) - appears cloudy during bacterial growth
- Semi-solid (agar medium) - polysaccharide plus other nutrients, typically used to obtain a “pure” culture
What are some different levels of oxygen requirements
- Obligate aerobes - require oxygen
- Microaerophiles - require low-oxygen environments
- Aerotolerant anaerobes - don’t use oxygen, but can tolerate some of it
- Facultative anaerobes - uses aerobic respiration if oxygen is available and fermentation if it isn’t
- Capnophiles - thrive in high concentrations of carbon dioxide
What are 3 groups of organisms based on temperature requirements for optimal growth?
- Thermophiles - found in hot water of geysers
- Mesophiles - optimal growth at body temp, dental carries, periodontal disease, pneumonia
- Psychrophiles - found in refrigerator
Most bacteria grow between pH ____ and _____
6.5 - 7.5
Molds and yeast grow between pH ____ and _____
5 and 6