Microbiology Flashcards
What are the four types of agents/pathogens?
Bacteria, Viruses, Fungi and Protozoa
What are the different types of bacteria?
Cocci (Round-shaped)
Bacilli (Rod-shaped)
Spirillus/Spirilla (Spiral-shaped)
Vibrio (Curve shaped)
How do bacteria reproduce?
Through binary fission (asexual reproduction). The cell continues to grow until the cell wall grows through the centre of the cell and creates two new cells
How is genetic material transferred between bacteria?
Conjugation, transformation and transduction
What forms when bacteria are low on resources? What do they contain?
Spores form containing DNA and enzymes needed for germination
What is the difference between aerobic and anaerobic bacteria? What are facultative anaerobic bacteria?
Aerobic bacteria live in oxygenated environments and anaerobic bacteria live in non-oxygenated environments
Facultative anaerobic bacteria can live in both, but prefer oxygenated environments
What are common types of bacterial infections?
Skin, Strep throat and Urinary tract infecitons
How do protozoa typically spread?
Contaminated food, water, contact and insect vectors
What are common protozoa infections?
Giardia, Malaria, Toxoplasmosis
How do fungi reproduce? What is produced when fungi reproduce?
Fungi reproduce via asexual and sexual reproduction, both producing spores in the process
What cells are fungi made of?
Hyphae
What are some common fungal infections?
Athlete’s foot, Thrush (Candidiasis), Ringworm
What are viruses?
Cores of genetic material (DNA/RNA) covered in a protein capsid
How do viruses replicate?
Viruses release their DNA/RNA inside the cell, and hijacking the cell’s metabolic processes for replication
What are some common viral infections?
Colds, flus, mumps, measles, COVID-19, chicken pox, rubella
What is the reservoir in a chain of infection?
A place where microorganisms live and reproduce (e.g. A human)
What is the portal of exit in a chain of infection?
Routes by which microorganisms can leave the reservoir (e.g. Upper respiratory tract, GI tract, blood and other bodily fluids)
What is the mode of transmission in a chain of infection?
How microorganisms move from reservoir to reservoir (e.g. Airborne/Droplets, Direct contact, Contaminated food/water, Indirect contact, Insect vectors)
What is the portal of entry in a chain of infection?
How microorganisms enter the body (Inhalation, Ingestion, Inoculation (through skin), Congenital transmission (Infected mother to foetus via placenta or at birth))
What is the susceptible host in a chain of infection?
Who gets infected (The most vulnerable) Babies and children The elderly The unimmunised The immunocompromised
