Microbiology Glossary Flashcards
A localized accumulation of pus in tissues
Abscess
A differential staining result where the bacterial smear is not decolorized with alcohol containing 3% HC1 after staining with carbol fuchsim
Acid-Fast
Bacteria that retain a RED color when treated with an acid alcohol after being stained with an aniline dye
Acid Fast Bacteria
Resistance resulting from infection with a specific microorganism (active) or by receiving antibodies from mother (passive)
Acquired Immunity
Resistance resulting from having the disease or by receiving a vaccine
Active Immunity
Compound in which energy is stored in high energy phosphate bonds; its components are the purine adenine, D-ribose, and three phosphoric acid groups
Adenosine Triposphate (ATP)
The process of introducing oxygen so that organic material can be degraded by aerobic bacteria. The procedure is used in sewage treatment
Aeration
An organism that requires free atmospheric oxygen for respiration
Aerobe
A suspension of particles in air
Aerosol
Clumping of cells in a suspension by action of a specific antibody
Agglutination
Antibody that causes agglutination of its particulate antigen, as bacteria, or other cells
Agglutinin
A disease caused by a retrovirus called HTLV III or LAV or HIV. This virus infection results in destruction of the T4-helper cells and loss of immunity to most opportunistic infection
AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome)
A harmful antigen-antibody reaction, usually caused by a foreign antigen in food, pollen, or chemicals; also known as hypersensitivity
Allergy
Substance that enters into combination with cells and complement to produce dissolution of cells (e.g. hemolysin)
Amboceptor
Protozoan that moves by extruding finger like processes (psuedopods).
Ameba, Amoebae
Pl. Amebas, Amoebae
Infection with pathogenic amebas
Amebiasis
Acute amebiasis is known as
Amebic Dysentry
The biochemical process involved in the synthesis of cell constituents from simpler molecules, usually requiring energy
Anabolism
Building up processes of living cells
Anabolism
An organism that is capable of living in the absence of free oxygen; live only in the absence of oxygen
Anaerobe
An extreme antigen-antibody reaction in allergy, productin acute asthma, sometimes resulting in death. Of most concern in drug allergies
Anaphylactic Shock
State of hypersusceptibility to a protein resulting from a previous introduction of the protein into the body
Anaphylaxis
Mutual opposition or contrary action. The inhibition of one bacterial organism by another
Antagonism
Agent produced by one organism that will destroy or inhibit another organism
Antibiotic