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
Glycoprotein substance developed in response to, and interacting specifically with an antigen
Antibody AKA Immunoglobulin
A foreign substance that stimulates the formation of antibodies that interact specifically with it
Antigen
The prevention of sepsis by preventing or inhibiting the growth of causative microorganisms
Antisepsis
A substance that will prevent the growth of vegetative pathogenic microorganisms without necessarily destroying them
Antiseptic
Serum that contains antibodies
Antiserum
Antibody found in blood serum that is capable of neutralizing or destroying its homologous toxin
Antitoxin
An invertebrate animal with jointed legs, such as an insect or a crustacean
Arthropod
Resistance to disease that develops after administration of a vaccine or inactivated toxin
Artificial Activ eImmunity
A medium for microbial growth that contains complex substances such as beef extract, yeast extract, tryptones, and blood
Artificial Medium
A condition in which there are no infectious or contaminating microorganisms; the absence of sepsis
Asepsis
Free of microorganisms that can cause contamination or infection
Aseptic
Procedures used in handing cultures, media, and equipment so that only the desired organisms (if any) are present, with no contaminants
Aseptic Technique
A process whereby one cell is formed without the fusion of two cells; means without sex
Asexual
Weakened
Attenuated
Dilution or weakening of virulence of a microorganisms, reducing or abolishing pathogenicity
Attenuation
Loss of virulence of a pathogen. Generally due to overgrowth of non-virulent stains in laboratory culture; attenuated strains are often used as vaccines
Attenuation of Virulence
Apparatus for sterilizing by steam under pressure; pressure steam sterilizer
Autoclave
Due to antibodies produced against the individual’s own tissues; failure to differentiate between self and non-self
Autoimmune Disease
Self-lysis or disintegration of cells due to the action of their enzymes
Autolysis
Self-nourishing bacteria that are capable of growing in the absence of organic compounds. Organisms that obtain carbon from carbon dioxide
Autotrophic Bacteria
Lacking disease-producing ability
Avirulent
Any rod shaped microorganism
Bacillus (pl. Bacilli)
The presence of viable bacteria in the blood stream
Bacteremia
A procaryotic one-celled microorganism of the Kingdom Monera, existing as free living organisms or as parasites, multiplying by binary fission and having a large range of biochemical properties
Bacteria
A visible group of bacteria growing on a solid medium, presumably arising from a single microorganism
Bacterial Colony
To kill bacteria
Bactericidal
An agent that destroys bacteria but not necessarily their spores
Bactericide
Science that studies bacteria
Bacteriology
Inhibiting growth or multiplication of bacteria
Bacteriostatic
Vaccine against tuberculosis made from a bovine strain of tubercle bacilli attenuated through long culturing; name is derived from the two French scientists developing the staing
Bacillus of Calmette-Guerin (BCG)
A method of asexual reproduction in bacteria in which the cells splits into two parts, each of which develops into a complete individual
Binary Fission
An arthropod vector in which the disease causing organisms multiplies or develops within the arthropod prior to becoming infective for a susceptible individual
Biological Vector
Science that studies the living macroorganisms, both animals and plants
Biology
At both ends of the cell
Bipolar
Fluid that eudes when blood clots; blood plasma without fibrinogen
Blood Serum
Photosynthetic procaryotes that contain chlorophyll and phycocyanin pigments and often move by gliding
Blue-Green Algae
Abscess of the skin and subcutaneous tissue
Boil
Random movement of bacterial cells and small particles due to bombardment by water molecules
Brownian Movement
Inflammatory enlargement and inflammation of a lymph node
Bubo
Process of cell division in which the mother cell retains its identityl the daughter cell is formed by growth of a new daughter cell on one part of the mother cell
Budding
The protein coat that surrounds the nucleic acid core of a virus
Capsid
A subunit of the protein capsid of a virus
Capsomere
An envelope of polysaccharide or protein that surrounds certain microorganisms
Capsule
Class of organic chemical compounds composed of carbon, hydrodren, and oxygen; to this class belong the sugars, starches, and cellulose
Carbohydrates
An individual who harbors and may disseminate pathogenic organisms but may or may not show symptoms of the disease
Carrier
The biochemical processes involved in the breakdown of organic compounds, usually leading to the production of energy
Catabolism
A substance that alter the speed of a chemical reaction without itself being changed in the process
Catalyst
An individual biological unit capable of independent function and dividing to form two new identical cells
Cell
Immunity developed by certain cells that have acquired an increased ability to ingest or destroy specific foreign substances
Cellular Immunity
Initial lesion in the primary stage of acquired syphillis
Chancre
Treatment of an infectious disease by drugs that act against the pathogen but do not harm the host
Chemotherapy
A largy group of nonmotile, gram negative intracellular parasites
Chlamydia
Producing a color; is a pigmented colony
Chromogenic
Long continued duration
Chronic
Short, hair-like structures that provide for movement; characteristic of Protozoa Class Ciliata
Cilia (pl. Cilium)
A population of genetically identical cells; a strain
Clone
An enzyme that, in concert with certain serum factors, causes blood plasma to clot; produced by staphylococcus aureus
Coagulase
The formation of a mass or clot
Coagulation
Oval bacterium that is intermediate between the coccus and bacillus forms
Coccobacillus
A type of bacteria that is spherical or ovoid in form
Coccus (pl. cocci)
Small, aerobic, gram negative, nonsporeforming bacilli; ferment lactose, with acid and gas production. Normal inhabitants of lower intestine
Coliform Bacteria
A visible mass of bacteria growing on a solid medium, such as a clump of microorganisms that develop from a single cell or a group of cells; visible to the naked eye on solid or semisolid medium
Colony
The symbolic relationship of two organisms of different species in which one gains some benefit such as protection or nourishment
Commensalism
A disease that may be transmitted directly or indirectly from one individual to another
Communicable
A disease transmitted directly or indirectly from one individual to another by direct or indirect contact
Communicable Disease
A heat liable substance in the blood that is necessary for the lytic action of certain antibodies
Complement
Destruction or inactivation of complement brought about by the combination of antigen, antibody, and complement; this is the basis of the complement fixation tests for syphilis and certain other diseases
Complement Fixation
A microscope that has two sets of lenses, one in the objective next to the object to be studied, and the other in the ocular next to the eye
Compound Microscope
Disinfection procedures carried out throughout the course of an illness with rigid aseptic disposal of contaminated materials
Concurrent Disinfection
Sexual method of reproduction involving contact between mating cells; in bacteria, genetic material is transferred from donor to recipient cell through actual contact of the two cells
Conjugation
An infection transmitted through the air, by water, food, objects, direct contact, or by insects or animals
Contagious Disease
The act of introducing disease germs or infectious material into an area or substance
Contamination
Artificial food material upon which microorganisms are grown
Culture Media (Medium)
A particular strain or kind of organism growing in a laboratory medium
Culture
Relating to the skin
Cutaneous
A double bacillus, two being linked end to end to each other
Diplbacilli
A genus of bacteria that are gram-positive organisms occurring in pairs
Diplococcus (Streptococcus)
A chemical or physical agent that kills disease-causing microorganisms generally used on inanimate objects
Disinfectant
The destruction of infectious agents by chemical or physical means directly applied to an inanimate object
Disinfection
Infection conveyed by the spray thrown off from the mouth and nose in talking or coughing
Droplet Infection
Resistant, as in bacteria, to the action of a drug or drugs
Drug-Fast
DTP
Diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis Vaccine
Diarrhea plus blood and mucus in the stool; related to inflammation of the alimentary tract
Dysentery
Inflammation of the brain
Encephalitis
Inflammation of the brain and spinal cord
Encephalomyelitis
Disease that occurs continuously in a particular region but has low mortality
Endemic
Produced or arising from within the organism
Endogenous
Produced or arising from within a cell or organism
Endogenous Infection
Minute; highly durable body, developed within certain bacterial cells and capable of developing into new vegetative cells; characteristic of the genera Bacillus and Clostridium
Endospore
Bacterial toxin confined within the body of a bacterium freed only when the bacterium is broken down, found only in gram negative bacteria
Endotoxin
Appearance of an infectious disease or condition that attacks many people at the same time in the same geographical area
Epidemic
Acute infection of the skin that results in characteristic red, edematous lesions; found most commonly on the face and legs; caused by a group A, beta hemolytic streptococci
Erysipelas
The study of a disease’s cause
Etiology
A cell or organism having a true nucleus
Eucaryotem
Febrile disease accompanied by a skin eruption
Exanthema
Originating outside an organ or part
Exogenous Infection
A toxin produced by a microorganism and excreted into its surrounding medium, generally protein in nature
Exotoxin
An organism that prefers an anaerobic environment but can utilize free oxygen if necessary
Facultative Aerobe
An organism that prefers an aerobic environment but can survive without free oxygen if necessary
Facultative Anaerobe
Having the capacity to do something that is not compulsory, in particular having the ability to live or adapt to certain conditions
Facultative Bacteria
One in which the organisms are originally confined to one area but enter the blood or lymph vessel and spread to other parts of the body
Focal Infection
A gastrointestinal disturbance due to ingestion of food containing toxins or poisonous substances that have been excreted into the food by certain species of bacteria, frequently Staphylococcus aureus, less commonly Clostridium botulinum and Clostridium perfringens
Food Poisoning
Formaldehyde is a specific aqueous mixture of formaldehyde that contains 37% by weight, 40% by volume and 7% methyl alcohol
Formalin
Any inanimate object to which infectious material adheres and can be transmitted
Fomite
A group of diverse and widespread unicellular and multicellular organisms, lacking chlorophyll, usually bearing spores and often filamentous
Fungus (Fungi)
An agent that kills fungi and their spores
Fungicide
Ischemic necrosis plus putrefaction
Gangrene
A group of related species
Genus
An infection that becomes systemic
General Infection
A substance that destroys microorganisms
Germicide
Microorganisms, usually meaning bacteria
Germs
Differential stain that provides for grouping of bacteria as either gram-positive or gram negative
Gram-Stain
If the organism retains the initial stain after contact with the decolorizer, it is
Gram-positive
If the organism loses the stain after exposure to a decolorizer, it is
Gram-Negative
The causative agent of AIDS
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus
A method for observing bacterial motility in a liquid medium
Hanging Drop Preparation
A person who harbors and spreads pathogenic microorganisms without giving evidence of disease
Healthy Carrier
An iron protein pigment in red blood cells; serves as an oxygen carrier
Hemoglobin
A substance that will cause the destruction of red blood corpuscles, especially antibodies or enzyme-like substances produced by bacteria
Hemolysin
Lysis of red blood cells
Hemolysis
Blood loving; genus name
Hemophilus
Inflammation of the liver; frequently due to a virus
Hepatitis
A dermatotropic viral disease causing blister like skin lesions on the oral or genital regions
Herpes
Organism using an organic compound as a carbon source
Heterotroph
An organism that requires one or more complex organic nutrients from a carbon source in order to grow and develop
Heterotrophic Bacteria
An organism that supports a parasite
Host
Spreading factor; enzymes capable of degrading hyaluronic acid, the intracellular material of connective tissues; may help the spread of the invading organism in the tissues
Hyaluronidase
Quality of possessing a degree of immunity greater than that found under similar circumstances
Hyperimmune
Increased sensitivity, or allergy, to foreign materials
Hypersensitivity
Having a greater osmotic pressure inside the cell than outside the cell. Causes the movement of water into the cellresulting in plasmoptysis or swelling of the cell
Hypertonic
Solution with a higher osmotic pressure than that of a reference solution
Hypertonic Solution
A single strand or filament of a fungus composing the mycelium
Hyphae
Having a greater osmotic pressure outside the cell than inside the cell. Forces the movement of water out of the cell resulting in plasmolysis or shrinking of the cell
Hypotonic
Solution with a lower osmotic pressure than that of a reference solution
Hypotonic Solution
Jaundice is AKA
Icterus
Time interval between infection and the appearance of the first symptoms
Incubation Period
Plant life occurring or adapted for living in a specific environment
Indigenous Flora
Able to resist infectious disease
Immune
Antiserum; blood serum containing antibodies
Immune Serum
State of being highly resistant to a specific pathogenic organism; the increased resistance to infection
Immunity
Induction of specific immunity by injecting antigen or antibodies
Immunization
The inability of a host to produce a normal immune response to antigenic stimuli
Immunodeficiency
The blood serum protein containing antibodies responsible for protection through acquired humoral immunity
Immunoglobulin
The study of immunity, the protection from disease through specific antibodies
Immunology
In the test tube versus in the living system
In Vitro
Implies in the living system as opposed to in the test tube
In Vivo
An illness in which symptoms are so mild that it goes undetected and thus, undiagnosed
Inapparent infection
The process of burning to ashes; e.g., sterilizing the inoculating loop in the Bunsen Burner
Incineration
Round or oval bodies found in the nucleus or cytoplasm of cells during virus infections; may contain viral particles in some cases
Inclusion Bodies
Transfer of infection by means of inanimate objects; contaminated fingers, water, food, or fomites
Indirect Contact
The state or condition in which the body or a part of it is invaded by a pathogenic agent that under favorable conditions, multiplies and produces injurious effects
Infection
Reaction of the tissue to injury; characterized localized pain, heat, redness, and swelling
Inflammation
Prevention of growth or function
Inhibition
Introduction of material into an animal or other medium
Inoculation
Material used to initiate a microbial culture
Inoculum
The immunity that is present at birth and is not changeable
Innate
Between the cell
Intercullular
Within the cell
Intracellular
A protective chemical usually a soluble protein that is produced by cells infected with a virus. It is cell specific but not virus specific
Interferon
keeping a patient with a disease from contacting other people
Isolation
Suffix denoting inflammation
Itis
Inflammation of the cornea and conjunctiva
Keratoconjunctivitis
Certain requirements that must be met before a given microorganism can be considered the cause of a certain disease
Koch’s Postulates
Bluish white specks on mouth lesions in early measles, before skin eruptions
Koplik Spots
Earliest phase of growth, during which the cell number stays constant while cells adjust to the new medium
Lag Phase
A virus present in a cell, yet not causing any detectable effect
Latent Virus
The capacity to cause death
Lethal
A substance able to destroy phagocytes
Leucocidin
A white blood cell, usually a phagocyte
Leucocyte
Fat splitting enzyme
Lipase
Infection caused by germs lodging and multiplying at one point in a tissue and remaining there
Local Infection
The period of most rapid reproduction in the growth phases of a culture; the generation time is constant when plotted on a graph, and the log of the number of organisms appears as a straight line
LogPhase
A leukocyte, often involved in antibody formation
Lymphocyte
An antibody that induces Lysis
Lysin
Rupture of a cell, resulting in loss of cell contents
Lysis
The cellular enzymes produced in lysosomes. This chemical has known antibacterial properties
Lysozyme
Prefix meaning large
Macro
Large mononuclear wandering, phagocytic cell that originates in the reticuloendothelial system
Macrophage
Visible to the naked eye
Macroscopic
Consisting of small flat reddish spots in the skin
Macular
Virulent; going from bad to worse; one that infiltrates the surrounding tissues, spreads to distant parts of the body, has a tendency to recur after removal, and if left untreated always causes death
Malignant
Tuberculin skin test. A dilution of purified material prepared from culture filtrates of tubercle bacilli is injected into the skin. An inflamed area at the site of injection that reaches a maximum in about 48 hours provides a positive test indicating that the person has been previously infected with the tubercle bacillus
Mantoux Test
Temperature above which bacterial growth will not tak eplace
Maximum Temperature
Transfer of injection by insects in which the infectious agent is spread mechanically and undergoes no cycle of development in the body of the particular insect
Mechanical (Vector) Transfer (Of Infection)
A living organism or an object that is capable of transmitting infections by carrying the disease agent on its external body parts or surface
Mechanical Vector
A nutrient substance used to grow microorganisms; it may be a liquid medium, or a solid medium to which agar has been added
Medium
Special type of cell division during the maturation of the sex cells by which the normal number of chromosomes is halbed
Meiosis
Membranes covering the brain and spinal cord
Meninges
Inflammation of the meninges
Meningitis
Organism living in the temperature range around that of warm-blooded animals (25-40 degrees Centigrade)
Mesophile
A membrane structure in bacteria, probably associated with the formation of cross walls
Mesosome
Bacteria that prefers moderate temperatures and develops best at temperatures between 23 and 40 degrees C
Mesophile
An RNA molecule containing a base sequence complementary to DNA; directs the synthesis of protein
Messenger RNA (mRNA)
Total of the chemical changes whereby the nutrition and functional activities of the body are maintained
Metabolism
Granules of deeply staining material found in certain bacteria
Matachromatic Granules
Multicellular parasites
Metazoa
A microorganism that requires very little free oxygen
Microaerophilic
Microscopic unicellular organism
Microbe
Scientific study of microorganisms and their effect on other living organisms
Microbiology
UInit of measurement for microorganisms; one micrometer (uM) equals .001 mm, or 1125,400 inch)
Micrometer
Micrometer
Micron
Animal or plant of microscopic size
Microorganism
Study of objects by means of a microscope
Microscopy
Temperature below which bacterial growth will not take place
Minimum Temperature
A type of cell division used to replenish body cells
Mitosis
Culture containing two or more kinds of organisms
Mixed Culture
Infection caused by two or more organisms
Mixed Infection
Multicellular Fungi
Molds
Simple sugar, usually consists of ifve or six carbons.
Monosaccharide
The state of having a single polar flagellum
Monotrichous
Chemical added to a dye to make it stain more intensely
Mordant
Systematic study of the form and structure of living organisms
Morphology
Property of movement of a cell under its own
Motility
Composed of many cells
Multicellular
An organism genetically different from its parent
Mutant
Change or alteration in form or qualities; a permanent transmissible change in the characters of an offspring from those of its parents
Mutation
A relationship in whih organisms of two different species live in close association to the mutual benefit of each
Mutualism
Vegetative part of a fungus consisting of many hyphae
Mycelium
Science that studies the fungi; both yeasts and molds
Mycology
Disease caused by fungi
Mycosis
Bacteria of the Mycoplasma genus that are found in humans and most have no cell wall; the smallest free-living organisms presently known, being intermediate in size between viruses and bacteria
Mycoplasmas
Immuniy following recovery from disease
Natural Active Immunity
Immunity resulting from the passage of preformed antibodies from the mother to the fetus or newborn
Natural Passive Immunity
Stain colors the background while the cells appear clear
Negative Stain
Inclusion bodies found in certain cells of the brain of an animal with rabies; diagnostic for rabies
Negri Bodies
Genus of gram negative diplococci; genus name for bacteria of gonorrhea and meningococcal meningitis
Nisseria
Round worms
Nematodes
An exotoxin that damages nerve tissue
Neurotoxin
Afinity for the central nervous system or nervous tissue.
Neurotropic
Antibodies that render invading viruses noninfective
Neutralizing Antibodies
Not productive of disease
Nonpathogenic
An infection avquired from a hospital environment
Nosocomial
Microorganisms that have become established in a given area; e.g. those organisms that have found a permanent home in some area of the human body
Normal Flora
The membrane that separates the nuclear material from the cytoplasm of the cell. Only found in eucaryotic cells
Nuclear Membrane
Complex chemical substances closely associated with the transmission of genetic characteristics of cells; the two identified are ribonucleic acid and deoxyribonucleic acis; cells of bacteria and higher organisms contain both; viruses contain one or the other but not both
Nucleic Acids
The viral nucleic acid surrounded by its protein coat
Necleocapsid
Substances,inorganic and organic, that actually pass through the cytoplasmic membrane and provide the direct requirements of a cell. Food it the raw material from which these are derived
Nutrients
The means by which an organism assimilates its food
Nutrition
An organism that exists as part of the normal flora but may become pathogenic under certain conditions
Opportunist
Condition most favorable
Optimum
Temperature at which organisms grow best
Optimum Temperature
A carbon compound
Organic Compound
Living being, either animal or plant
Organism
Passage of fluids or other substances through a membrane (lesser to greater)
Osmosis
Pressure that develops when two solutions of different concentrations are separated by a semipermeable membrane
Osmoti Pressure
Inflammation of the bone marrow
Osteomyelitis
Inflammation of the middle ear
Otitis Media
A test to distinguish colonies of Neisseria from some other bacteria; it does not differentiate Neisseria species. Neisseria are ___________ positive and the colonies first turn pink, then dark red, and finally black
Oxidase Test
A disease affecting the majority of the population of a large region or one that is epidemic at the same time in many different parts of the world
Pandemic
An organism that lives on or within a living host from which is derives its nourishment
Parasite
An interactive relationship between two organisms in which one is harmed and the other benefits
Parasitism
Sudden attack of a disease or acceleration of the manifestations of an existing disease
Paroxysm
Immunity acquired as a result of receiving preformed antibodies
Passive Immunity
Heating to destroy pathogenic microbes in a fluid such as milk, beer, or wine. Methods: heating to 145 degrees F for 30 minutes or heating to 161 degrees F not less than 15 seconds (flash). The heating process is followed by a rapid cooling of the liquid
Pasteurization
Disease producing
Pathogenic
The state of producing or being able to produce pathological changes and disease
Pathogenicity
Having flagella around the entire cell
Peritrichous
Round glass dish with cover used for growing bacterial cultures
Petri Dish
Collection of lymphoid nodules packed together to form oblong elevations of the mucous membrane of the small intestine; their long axis corresponding to that of the intestine
Peyer’s Patches
The extent of acidity or alkalinity of a solution or medium.
Expresses the negative logarithm of the hydrogen ion concentration
7 is neutral
Acids are less than 7
Bases are more then 7
pH (Potential of Hydrogen)
Use of bacteriophages and their lytic properties to classify bacteria
Phage Typing
White blood cell, capable of ingesting foreign particles, including microorganisms
Phagocyte
The engulfment of bacteria and other foreign particles by white blood cells or phagocytes
Phagocytosis
A test for evaluating the effectiveness of a disinfectant by comparing it with phenol under identical conditions
Phenol Coefficient
Process whereby carbohydrates are synthesized from carbon dioxide and water in the presence of light energy and chlorophyll
Photosynthesis
Systematic study of the functions of living organisms
Physiology
Fimbriae; filamentous appendages, shorther, straighter, and considerably smaller than flagella; they appear to make bacteria more adhesive. The sex pilus is essential for genetic transfer in bacterial conjugation
Pili
Fluid portion of the circulating blood; the fluid portion of clotted blood is known as serum
Plasma
Shrinking of a cell when suspended in a hypertonic solution
Plasmolysis
Swelling and bursting of a cell when suspended in a hypotonic solution
Plasmoptysis
Having many forms
Pleomorphic
A lung infection caused by a protozoan parasite that is a common consequence of AIDS
Pneumocystis Pneumonia
Inflammation of the lungs
Pneumonia
Deeply staining bodies found in one or both ends of certain species of bacteria
Polar Bodies
Flagella arise at ends of cells
Polar Flagellation
Single Flagellum
Monotrichous
Single Flagellum at each end
Amphitrichous
Tuft of flagella at one or both poles
Lophotrichous
A viral disease of the nervous system resulting in the loss of motor function. This disease is preventable by the oral Sabine Vaccine
Poliomyelitis
To render unclean; as used in bacteriology, to render unclean by adding harmful substances other than bacteria
Pollution
Many amino acids joined together by peptide bonds
Polypeptide
Complex carbohydrate consisting of many monosaccharide molecules
Polysaccharide
The means by which a pathogenic organism enters the body to produce disease
Portal of Entrance
Antibody that causes precipitation of its soluble antigen
Precipitin
A reaction between a soluble antigen and its antibody resulting in the formation of an antigen-antibody complex too large to stay in solution
Procipitin Reaction
An original infection from which a second one originates
Primary infection
A small proteinaceous infectious particle that is resistant to most procedures that modify nucleic acids
Prion
Lacking a true nucles in that no nuclear membrane separates the DNA from the cytoplasm
Procaryotic
Organic compound composed of many amino acids joind together by peptide bonds
Protein
Name proposed for a third kingdom to include microorganisms
Protista
The complete cellular contents; Plasma membrane, cytoplasm, and nucleus; usually considered to be the living portion of the cell, thus excluding those layers peripheral to the plasma membrane
Protoplasm
One celled organisms of the Kingdom Protista - most are unicellular although some are colonial
Protozoa
Science that deals with study of protozoa
Protozoology
Prefix, meaning false
Pseudo
Bacteria that prefer cold, thriving at temperatures between 0 and 25 degrees Celsius
Psychrophile
A small oval body within the cell that attaches itself to an initiation site on the mRNA resulting in the synthesis of a protein molecule. Consist of protein and RNA
Ribosome
A genus of gram-negative, pathogenic, intracellular parasitic bacteria
Rickettsia
Area of science that studies rickettsia
Rickettsiology
Ribonucleic acid, one of the 3 types of nucleic acids
RNA
German measles; 3 day measles
Rubella
Measles; usually red measles
Rubeola
Infection with an organism of the genus Salmonella; manifestations may be varied
Salmonellosis
The reduction of microbial numbers to safe levels as judged by public health standards
Sanitize
Condition in which the products of the action of saprophytic bacteria on dead tissues are absorbed into the body and produce disease
Sapremia
Organism that lives on dead organic matter
Saprophyte
Spherical cells that divide in three planes at right angles to each other to form cubical packets
Sarcinae
Skin test to detect susceptibility to diphtheria
Skick Test
Diagnostic test for scarlet fever; antitoxin to erythrogenic toxin is injected intracutaneously and the skin rash is observed for blanching
Schultz-Charlton Reaction
Infection caused by a different organism than the one causing the primary infection
Secondary Infection
The settling out of materials so they can be removed; useful in water purification
Sedimentation
A medium that will select out certain organisms while inhibiting other; e.g., a medium containing bile salts is selective for pathogenic enteric bacteria
Selective Medium
Poisoning by microorganisms or their products
Sepsis
Relating to or caused by the presence of pathogenic organisms or their toxins
Septic
Condition characterized by the multiplication of bacteria in blood
Septicemia
Branch of science that deals with sera, especially immune sera
Serology
Fluid that exudes when the blood coagulates; plasma of the blood from which the plasma fibrinogen has been removed
Serum
A disease which occurs occasionally or in scattered instances
Sporadic
A genus of gram-positive, nonmotile, opportunistic bacteria which tend to aggregate in irregular, grap-like clusters
Staphylococcus
Process of completely removing or destroying all life forms or their products on or in a substance
Sterilization
A genus of bacteria containing gram-negative rods, which form a chain-like colony
Streptobacilli
Gram-positive cocci that occur in chains
Streptococci
A microbe that can only live in the presence of oxygen
Strict (Obligate) Aerobe
A microbe taht can only survive in an area without oyxgen present
Strict (Obligate) Anaerobe
A parasite that is completely dependent on its living host for survival
Strict (Obligate) Parasite
An organism that can only survive on dead or decaying organic matter
Strict (Obligate) Saprophyte
Small yellow granules found in the pus from the lsions of actinomycosis
Sulfur Granules
Situated between the center and the end of the cell, as subterminal endospores
Subterminal
Formation of pus
Suppuration
The living together in close association of different species
Symbiosis
Subjective disturbances caused by disease that are felt or experienced by the patient but not directly measurable
Symptoms
Veneral disease caused by the spirochete Treponema Pallidum
Syphilis
Relating to a system; relating to the entire organism instead of a part
Systemic
The harmonious action of two microorganims producing an effect that neither could produce alone
Synergism
Branch of biology treating the arrangement and classification of animals and plants
Taxonomy
Disinfection procedures carried out at the end of an infectious period. This involves cleaning the entire area that may have been contaminated by the patient
Terminal Disinfection
Infection with streptococci or other pathogenic bacteria that iccurs during the course of a chronic disease and causes death
Terminal Infection
A disease caused by the exotoxin produced by Clostridium tetani
Tetanus
Bacteria that thrive best at high temperatures, between 40 degrees and 70 degrees C
Thermophile
Infection of the mucous membranes of the mouth by Candida albi cans
Thrush
Concentration of infective microbes in a medium; amount of one substance to correspond with a given amount of another substance
Titer
Blood distribution throughout the body of poisonous products of bacteria growing in a focal or local site, thus producing generalized symptoms
Toxemia
Poisonous substance produced by certain microorganisms or other organisms
Toxin
A toxin modified so that it is no longer toxic but it still able to induce antibody formation
Toxoid
A poisonous substance of plant, animal, bacterial, or gunal origin
Toxin
Transfer of genetic material from a donor to a recpient bacterial cell with a bacteriophage as a change in character or recipient
Transformation
Spirochete, causative agent of syphilis
Treponema Pallidum
Active, motile, feeding state of a protozoan organism
Trophozoite
The ability of an organism to be pathogenic by producing a toxin or poison that causes damage to the host
Toxigenicity
Real or genuine disease producing organism
True Pathogen
Fractional sterilization; exposure to live steam for 30 minutes each day for three successive days to kill vegetative cells
Tyndallization
Brucellosis; a disease caused by Brucella species
Undulant Fever
Composed of but a single cell
Unicellular
Confined to one side
Unilateral
Inflammation of the urethra
Urethritis
Cheickenpox
Varicella
Smallpox
Variola
Spread by sexual contact
Venereal
The presence of viruses in the blood
Viremia
An agent destructive to viruses
Viricide
An infectious virus particle
Virion
The study of viruses and viral diseases
Virology
Relative power and degree of pathogenicity possessed by organisms to produce disease
Virulence
An intracellular, infectious parasite, capable of living and reproducing only in living cells
Virus
Affinity for the internal organs of the chest or abdomen
Viscerotropic
Agglutination test used as a diagnostic aid in certain rickettsial diseases; certain Proteus strains are used as the antigen with the patient’s blood serum
Weil-Felix Test
Agglutination test using killed Salmonella typhi organisms and the patient’s blood serum; a diagnostic aid in typhoid fever
Widal Test
Mixture of eosin and methylene blue used to demonstrate blood cells and malarial parasites
Wright’s Stain
Unicellular chlorophyll-free plants, usually spherical or ovoid in shapr, which multiply asexually by budding
Yeast
Science that studies animal life; a subdivision of biology
Zoology
Disease of animals that may be secondarily transmitted to man
Zoonosis (Zoonoses)
The diploid cell formed through the sexual union of two haploid cells
Zygote
