MicroBiology Flashcards
What is microbiology?
The study of small microorganisms which cannot be seen with the unaided eye.
What types of microorganisms are included in microbiology?
- Bacteria
- Fungi
- Molds
- Yeast
- Viruses
- Parasites
True or False: Most microbes are harmful to humans.
False
What are pathogens?
Microbes that make us sick.
What are non-pathogenic microbes?
Microbes that are harmless to humans.
List the roles of microbes in our lives.
- Marine and freshwater microbes are the bottom of the food chain
- Soil microbes break down waste and provide nitrogen
- Some microbes help manufacture vitamins we which we need, but cannot make ourselves
What types of compounds do industrial microbes produce?
- Acids
- Alcohols
- Vitamins
- Drugs
What are the two names assigned to all microorganisms?
Genus and species.
Fill in the blank: The genus name is always _______.
capitalized
Fill in the blank: The species name is always _______.
lowercase
What is the correct way to reference a microbe?
Use both the genus and species name.
What is an acceptable abbreviation for a genus name?
The first letter of the genus followed by the entire species name.
What is a common naming convention for scientific names?
They often refer to the shape or living environment of a microbe.
List the main types of microbes.
- Bacteria
- Archaea
- Fungi
- Protozoa
- Algae
- Multicellular Animal Parasites
- Viruses
What are prokaryotes?
Organisms made up of cells that lack a cell nucleus or any membrane-encased organelles.
What are eukaryotes?
Organisms made up of cells that possess a membrane-bound nucleus that holds genetic material and organelles.
What are the three common shapes of bacteria?
- Bacillus (rod)
- Coccus (sphere)
- Spirillum (spiral)
What is peptidoglycan?
A protein complex that makes up the cell wall of bacteria.
The amt in a bacterial cell wall determines if either gram + or gram -
How do bacteria reproduce?
By binary fission, a form of asexual replication.
What are extremophiles?
Organisms classified under Archaea that thrive in extreme environments.
List the categories of extremophiles.
- Methanogens
- Halophiles
- Thermophiles
What are fungi?
Eukaryotic organisms that can be unicellular or multicellular.
Small unicellular- usually yeast
Large multicellular- includes molds and mushrooms
How do fungi obtain nourishment?
By absorbing it from their surroundings.
What are fungal spores?
Major means by which fungi move to new places to grow.
What are protozoa?
Eukaryotic, unicellular microorganisms that are motile.
What is the role of algae in the environment?
Produce oxygen and essential carbohydrates used by other organisms.
What are multicellular animal parasites?
Organisms like helminths that are included in microbiology due to their medical importance.
What are viruses?
Incredibly tiny microbes that can only be viewed with an electron microscope.
What classifications do viruses fall under?
- Capsid
- Enveloped
True or False: Viruses are considered living organisms.
False
What system of classification was devised by Carl Woese?
Classification based on cell structure including Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya.
What is bacteriology?
The study of bacteria.
What is mycology?
The study of fungi.
What is parasitology?
The study of parasites and protozoa.
What is immunology?
The study of immunity.
What is virology?
The study of viruses.
What is recombinant DNA technology?
The field of genetic engineering.
What is epidemiology?
The study of disease spread.
How are bacteria motile?
Some have flagella
Others use pili or fimbriae
Define Archaea
A classification of prokaryotic organisms that have cell walls containing no peptidoglycan.
How do Protozoa move?
Using pseudopods, cilia, or flagella
How do Protozoa reproduce?
Either sexual or asexual
What is Algae?
Photosynthetic eukaryotic organisms
Capsid viruses have_______?
DNA or RNA core surrounded by a highly structured protein coat
Are viruses living?
Technically, NO.
-Do not carry out metabolic reactions
-Completely reliant on a host cell’s machinery to reproduce
