MicroBiology- Bacteria Flashcards

1
Q

BACTERIA

A
  • Unicellular living organisms; simple internal structures and no cell organelles
  • Most are smaller than any human body cells; size range of 1-5 um
  • Most cases; cell is surrounded by cell wall→ major difference between human cells and bacteria
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2
Q

BACTERIA STRUCTURE

A

Cocci
Rods
Vibrio
Spirochaetes

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3
Q

BACTERIAL CELL WALL

A
  • Present in most types of bacteria
  • Semi-rigid outer layer→ provides mechanical support
  • Differences in cell wall composition→ can mean differences in sensitivity to any particular antimicrobial
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4
Q

BACTERIAL GROWTH: GENERATION TIME

A
  • Rapid rates of growth
  • Generation time→ time taken for bacterial cell to reproduce (varies from 20mins- 20 hours)
  • Even for same organisms; generation time can greatly vary depending on environmental conditions
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5
Q

DORMANCY

A
  • Bacteria can become dormant→ cells cease metabolic activity and growth is stalled
    Some cases dormant bacteria produces endospores
  • This is dormant form of cell; covered by thick protective coat produced when environmental conditions= unfavourable
  • Coat preserves cell inside, when conditions are favorable, the endospore germinates
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6
Q

BACTERIAL GENETICS: GENE TRANSFER

A
  • Genes of any bacteria are present in single molecules of genes
  • However; bacteria often carry additional genes (e.g. plasmids)
  • Additional genes carry info to make proteins not essential for growth, but provide growth advantage
  • Clinically important example→ Resistance to antibiotics
  • Additional genes can be transferred between different cells (not necessarily of same species)
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