Microbiology 1 Flashcards
what is microbiology?
the study of microorganisms (microbes)
give examples of how microbiology has a huge impact on a variety of fields?
- fermented foods, baking, brewing, wine making
- water and sewage treatment
- agriculture and spoilage
- study of pathogens and infectious disease
- pharmaceuticals and biotech
give two characteristics of microorganisms?
- microscopic (<1mm)
- unicellular
are viruses unicellular or acellular?
acellular
what type of microorganism can form multicellular structures?
fungi
what is the size of a virus?
~100nm
what is the size of a bacterium?
1-2 micrometres
what is the size of a RBC?
~8 micrometres
what is the size of a chicken egg?
40-50mm
who has the greatest genetic diversity of all groups of living organisms?
microbes
what was the top cause of death between the years 1915 to 2015?
infections
when was penicillin G (1st antibiotic) introduced?
late 1940s
give examples of how microbes have increasingly shown to have roles in non-infectious diseases?
- stomach ulcers
- obesity
what is the name of the friendly e.coli?
Nissle 1917
what is the name of the unfriendly e.coli?
O157:H7
what are normal flora?
organisms that live in benign symbiosis with host
if conditions change, what may occur?
microbes may grow extensively + cause infection - MRSA
what do changed conditions include?
- hormonal
- climatic
- enviro
- stress
how does microbiology play an important role in public health?
- identification of disease
- tracking and control of disease outbreaks
- tracking of antimicrobial resistance
- identifying appropriate treatments
- vaccination
if resistance is not tackled an estimated …. deaths/year due to AMR infections will occur by 2050
10 million
how much economic loss will resistance lead to?
60-100 trillion dollars
what is biotechnology?
the broad area of biology which uses living systems/organisms to produce products
colour of agriculture?
green
colour of industrial?
white
