Microbiology Flashcards
What percentage of the world’s deaths are caused by infections?
33%
What are the two major emerging threats related to infection in high-income countries?
- Healthcare-associated infections
2. Antibiotic resistance
List the four major types of micro-organisms which cause human infectious disease
- Viruses
- Bacteria
- Fungi
- Protists
In 1876, who established that microbes can cause disease?
Robert Koch
Koch’s postulates: #1
A specific ___________ is always associated with a given disease.
microorganism
Koch’s postulates: #2
The microorganism can be __________ from the diseased animal and __________ in pure culture in the laboratory.
isolated, grown
Koch’s postulates: #3
The cultured microbe will cause __________ when transferred to a healthy animal.
disease
Koch’s postulates: #4
The _______ type of microorganism can be isolated from the newly _________ animal
same, infected
Do prokaryotic cells have a nucleus?
No
Do prokaryotic cells have internal membranes?
No
How is prokaryotic DNA organised?
One circular chromosome in a nucleoid
Which type of cells contain extensive and specialised organelles- prokaryotic or eukaryotic?
Eukaryotic
How are bacteria named?
Genus, then species
In the strain of E.coli known as “0157:H7,” what do the “O” and “H” refer to?
Different antigens
Bacteria are most helpfully classified by shape and _________
staining
The ability to take up stain is based on the __________ and accessibility of cell wall ____________________.
thickness, peptidoglycans
List the four layers encapsulating gram negative prokaryotic cells (from outermost to innermost layer)
- Capsule
- Outer membrane
- Peptidoglycan layer
- Plasma membrane
Which two layers make up the bacterial cell wall?
The outer membrane and the layer of peoptidoglycan
Gram-positive bacteria have a uniformly dense cell wall consisting primarily of
peptidoglycan
Which types of bacteria have a very this peptidoglycan layer and an outer membrane?
Gram negative bacteria
An __________ is a toxic, heath stable lipopolysaccharide substance present in the outer membrane of gram negative bacteria that is released from the cell upon lysis.
Endotoxin
What type of bacteria have lipopolysaccharide?
Gram negative bacteria
Gram negative bacteria have what toxic substance in their outer membrane layer?
Lipopolysaccharide
Peptidoglycans have 3-5 amino acid proteins, which is significant because it makes them resistant to
enzymatic destruction
What kind of enzymes assist with cross-linking of peptidoglycans?
Transpeptidase enzymes
Which class of antibiotic prevents the cross-linking of peptides by binding bacterial transpeptidases?
Beta lactam antiobiotics (penicillin,s cephalosporins, carbapenems)
Which class of antibiotic is only effective in gram positive bacteria?
Glycopeptides (e.g. Vancomycin)
Bacterial capsules are made up of
polysaccharides
What is the medical importance of the bacterial capsule?
It “hides” the immunogenic cell wall
Immunity requires antibodies to the _______
capsule
Which part of the bacteria confers virulence?
The capsule
Mobile genetic elements code for ________ and antibiotic resistent _______.
toxins, genes
These are DNA sequences that are able to move location in the genome
Transposons
Circular “extrachromosmal” DNA that replicates independently.
Plasmids
This type of independently replicating DNA can be passed down to progeny or transmitted between bacteria
Plasmids
Non-replicating, dormant form of bacteria that are resistant to drying, temperature, disinfection, and digestion.
spores
Bacillus spp and Clostridium spp are two examples of bacteria that can form ________
spores
Name four examples of bacteria virulence factors:
1. ___________ molecules
adhesion
Name four examples of bacteria virulence factors:
2. ___________ to degrade host proteins
Enzymes
Name four examples of bacteria virulence factors:
3. Degrade ___________ mediators
immune
Name four examples of bacteria virulence factors:
4. _________ host cells
Lyse
Gene regulation - bacterial growth. Describe what happens in the lag phase of bacterial growth
- no increase in cell numbers
- Adjustment to new environment
- Gene regulation
Gene regulation - bacterial growth. Describe what happens in the log or exponential phase of bacterial growth
- Cell doubling
- Slope of curve = growth rate of that organism in that environment
- This is where the person would have either a superficial infection, or bacteraemia
Gene regulation - bacterial growth. Describe what happens in the stationary phase of bacterial growth
- Nutrients become depleted
- Metabolites build up
- Divison stops
- Gene regulation
- ABSCESS
Gene regulation - bacterial growth. Describe what happens in the death phase of bacterial growth
- Exhaustion of resources
- Toxicity of environment
Bacteria are most helpful classified by ________ and staining
shape