Microbial Growth Flashcards
What are the main factors that control microbial growth?
Temperature pH Water and osmotic pressure Oxygen Nutrients
What is heat control of microbial growth
Moist heat which kills microorganisms mainly by coagulation of proteins eg autoclave and pasteurisation
And dry heat which kills microorganisms by oxidation eg incineration
What is low temperature microbial growth control
Refrigeration which has a bacteriostatic effect
And freezing which makes the bacteria dormant
What is UV radiation microbial growth control
Causes damage to the dna in a cell
What is iodine used for
Is used to control microbial growth while prepping skin for surgery or disinfecting a wound
What is chlorine used for
Decontaminated blood spills, purifies water
What is alcohol used for
Decontaminates skin before injections and is used to sterilise hands and equipment
What are advantages if antibiotics over other antimicrobial drugs
They have a selective toxicity which cause less harm to the human host than to the pathogens
What are the limitations of antibiotics
They aren’t effective against viral or fungal infections and can kill normal flora
What are the causes of antibiotic resistance
Bacteria mutating
