Medical Microbiology Vocabulary Flashcards
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Aerobic
requiring oxygen for growth
Acne vulgaris
inflammation of sebaceous glands on the back, chest and face
Alopecia
temporary hair loss
Anabolism
synthesis, metabolic process consisting of synthesis of protoplasm; requires oxygen
Anorexic
growing in the absence of atmospheric oxygen
Antibiotic
chemotherapeutic agent which occurs as the byproduct of the metabolic activity of bacteria or fungi (used to defend against bacteria)
Antibodies
specific molecules formed in the animal body in response to the presence of an antigen; once formed they react with that particular antigen
Antigen
foreign substances that induce a specific immune response
Antiseptic
a chemical agent that prevents growth, by either inhibiting the growth of, destroying the microorganism; used for topical application to living tissue, primarily skin
Asepsis
a condition in which there are no infectious or contaminating microorganisms; the absence of sepsis
Atelectasis
collapsed lung (usually partially)
Attenuation
change; used in reference to certain vaccines where the organism or its products are of reduced virulence
Autoclave
steam pressure sterilizer
Autotroph
organisms that obtain energy by the oxidation of inorganic compounds (chemoautotrophs) or by respiration of products synthesized with the help of the energy from the sun (photoautotrophs)
Avirulent
lacking disease producing ability
Bacteremia
the presence of bacteria in the blood
Bacteriology
the science that deals with bacteria
Balantitis
inflammation of the glans (foreskin and head of penis)
Blepharitis
inflammation of the edges of the eyelids involving hair follicles
Buboes
enlarged regional lymph nodes
Carbuncle
ulcerated lesion with a hardened border and pus draining (more severe)
Catabolism
the set of metabolic pathways that break down molecules into smaller units and release energy
Catalyst
a substance that alters the speed of a chemical reaction without itself being changed in the process (enzymes are a biological catalyst)
Catarrhal
inflammation of the mucus membrane
Cellulitis
inflammation of the cellular and connective tissues
Cervicitis
inflammation of the cervix
Coryza
upper respiratory tract infection (head cold)
Cystitis
inflammation of the bladder
Desiccation
drying or removal of water
Dimorphic
occurring in two forms; characteristic of certain fungi, growing in the years form under one set of conditions and the filamentous form under other conditions
Disease
any changes from a state of health; interruption in the normal functioning of an organism
Disinfectant
a chemical agent that destroys disease organisms; used on inanimate objects
Dyspnea
difficulty in breathing
Edema
swelling
Encephalitis
inflammation of the brain
Endemic
a disease that occurs at a relatively stable frequency within a given area or population
Endocarditis
inflammation of the lining of the heart
Empyema
pus in the pleural cavity
Enteric
relating to the intestinal tract
Epidemic
a disease that occurs at a greater than normal frequency for a given area or population
Etiology
the cause of disease
Exudate
fluid, often formed from elements of the blood, discharged from tissues to a cavity
Flora
organisms typically found in a given environment
Fomites
inanimate objects contaminated with pathogenic organisms
Healthy carrier
a person who harbors and spreads pathogenic microorganisms without evidence of disease
Host
an organism which supports a parasite
Infection
invasion of the body by pathogenic microorganisms
Ischemic
local deficiency of blood due to stoppage of circulation
Lethal
the capacity to cause death
Macula
a discolored spot on the skin that is not elevated above the surface
Meningitis
inflammation of the membranes (meninges) of the spinal cord or brain
Moribund
in a dying condition
Morphology
the science or study of form and structure
Mycology
the study of fungi
Nephritis
inflammation of the kidney
Normal flora
microorganisms that have become established in a given area
Osteomyelitis
inflammation of the bone and bone marrow
Pandemic
the occurrence of an epidemic on more than one continent simultaneously
Parasite
an organism which lives on or within a living host from which it derives its nourishment
Pathogenesis
the mechanism by which the disease is caused
Pneumonia
inflammation of the alveoli of the lungs with exudate filling the alveolar spaces
Prostration
total exhaustion
Pustule
small elevated skin lesion containing pus
Pyelitis
inflammation of the pelvis of the kidney (the funnel-like structure leading to the ureter)
Serology
systematic study of the blood sera
Somatic
associated with the cell body of an organism
Sporatic
a disease that occurs in only a few scattered cases within a given area of a population during a given period of time
Sterilization
killing of all forms of life in a given area
Suppuration
pus formation
Vaginitis
inflammation of the vagina
Virulence
the degree of pathogenicity, as indicated by case fatality rates and/or the ability of the organism to invade tissues of the host
