Microbes & their Applications GLOSSARY KEYWORDS Flashcards
Culturing
Multiplying microbes by reproduction
(under controlled laboratory conditions)
colony
visible mass of microbes all originating from a single mother cell
aseptic
free from pathogenic and contaminating microorganisms
agar
a jelly-like substance used as a culture medium for growing microorganisms
inoculate
to insert/introduce one substance to another
streak plating
method used by microbiologists to obtain microbiological cultures
incubator
device used to grow microbiological cultures by
-maintaining optimal temperature,
-humidity
-oxygen conditions
fermenter
a device that maintains optimal conditions for the growth of microbes
used in the production of antibiotics and hormones
penicillium
a member of the fungus genus of which some members produce penicillin
penicillin
a molecule that is used as an antibiotic, which kills or stops the growth of certain kinds of bacteria
What is the hierarchy of taxons in the classification system?
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Genus
Species
What is a hierarchy?
a system where things are ranked
Why is classification tentative?
Classification changes as new information becomes available due to advancements in technology, such as DNA analysis
What is a species?
A group of organisms with similar characteristics,
that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring
How are organisms named?
Genus then species
