Microbiology Packet Flashcards
Mutual opposition or contrary action. The inhibition of one bacterial organism by another.
Antagonism
The symbiotic relationship of two organisms of different species in which one gains some benefit such as protection or nourishment.
Commensalism
The relationship in which two organisms of two different species live in close association to the mutual benefit of each.
Mutualism
An interactive relationship between two organisms in which one is harmed and the other benefits.
Parasitism
The living together in close association of different species.
Symbiosis
The harmonious action of two microorganisms producing an effect that neither could produce alone.
Synergism
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 inanimate objects.
Disinfection
Disease that occurs continuously in a particular region but has low mortality. (example: lyme’s disease)
Endemic
Appearance of an infectious disease or condition that attacks many people at the same time in the same geographic region.
Epidemic
A disease affecting the majority of the population at the same time in many different parts of the world.
Pandemic
Is an endemic chronic or acute?
Chronic
Are epidemics and pandemics chronic or acute?
Acute
Produced or arising from within a cell or organism.
Endogenous Infection
Originating outside an organ or part.
Exogenous Infection
Glycoprotein substance developed in response to, and interacting specifically with an antigen. These can be natural or man-made.
Antibody (Immunoglobulin)
A foreign substance that stimulates the formation of antibodies that interact specifically with it.
Antigen
Relative power and degree of pathogenicity possessed by organisms to produce disease.
Virulence
Dilution or weakening of virulence of a microorganism, reducing or abolishing pathogenicity.
Attenuation
Increase in severity of a disease.
Exacerbation
Any rod-shaped microorganism.
Bacillus
A type of bacteria that is spherical or ovoid in form.
Coccus
The presence of viable bacteria in the blood stream.
Bacteremia
Condition characterized by the multiplication of bacteria in blood.
Septicemia
Bacteria present in the blood and/or the tissues.
Sepsis
An arthropod vector in which the disease causing organism multiplies or develops within the arthropod prior to becoming infective for a susceptible individual (Incubation).
Biological Vector
A living organism or an object that is capable of transmitting infections by carrying the disease agent on its external body parts or surface. (Needle, cosmetic brush, phone).
Mechanical Vector
Bacteria that prefers moderate temperatures and develops best at temperatures between 25 degrees C and 40 degrees C.
Mesophile
Bacteria that thrive best at high temperatures between 40 degrees C and 70 degrees C.
Thermophile
Bacterial toxin confined within the body of the bacterium freed only when the bacterium is broken down, found only in gram negative bacteria.
Endotoxin
A toxin produced by a microorganism and excreted into its surrounding medium, generally protein in nature.
Exotoxin
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
Infection caused by germs lodging and multiplying at one point in a tissue and remaining there.
Local Infection
Infection caused by two or more organisms.
Mixed Infection
A group of diverse and widespread unicellular and multicellular organisms, lacking chlorophyll, usually bearing spores and often filamentous.
Fungus
One-celled organisms of the Kingdom Protista- most are unicellular although some are colonial.
Protozoa
An original infection from which a second one originates.
Primary Infection
Infection caused by a different organism than the one causing the primary infection.
Secondary Infection
A genus of gram-positive, nonmotile, opportunistic bacteria which tend to aggregate in irregular, grape-like clusters.
Staphylococcus
A genus of bacteria containing gram-negative rods, which form a chain-like colony.
Streptobacilli
Gram-positive bacilli that occur in chains.
Streptococci
Localized accumulation of pus.
Abscess
A sac within or on the body surface containing air or fluid.
Cyst
A small elevation of the skin containing pus.
Pustule
An open sore or lesion of skin or mucous membrane accompanied by sloughing of inflamed necrotic tissue.
Ulcer
Blister-like elevation of skin containing serous fluid.
Vesicle
Necrotic tissue that is wet as a result of inadequate venus drainage; may be accompanied by the invasion of saprophytic bacteria.
Moist Gangrene (Wet Gangrene)
Condition that results when the body part that dies had little blood and remains aseptic and occurs when the arteries but not the veins are obstructed.
Dry Gangrene (Ischemic Necrosis)
Disease of the arteries resulting in thickening and loss of elasticity of the arterial walls.
Arteriosclerosis
A form of arteriosclerosis marked by the deposition of lipids in the inner layer of arterial walls.
Atherosclerosis
Free floating object in the bloodstream.
Embolism
The formation or presence of an attached blood clot.
Thrombosis
The part of the circulatory system where embolisms usually occur.
Venus System
The part of the circulatory system where thrombosis usually occurs.
Arterial System
Pus in the pleural cavity.
Empyema
Accumulation of free serous fluid in the abdominal cavity.
Ascites
Abnormal accumulation of fluid within the pericardial sac.
Hydropericardium
Abnormal accumulation of fluid in the thoracic cavity.
Hydrothroax
What does the pleural cavity deal with?
Lungs
The increased size of an organ or part due to the excessive but regulated increase in the number of its cells.
Hyperplasia
Underdevelopment of a tissue, organ or the body.
Hypoplasia
Infection acquired in a hospital.
Nosocomial
Results from the adverse activity of medical personnel.
Iatrogenic
Of unknown cause. (Example- essential hypertension, cancers, etc.)
Idiopathic
Decrease in the size of an organ or tissue in the body. Most commonly occurs in muscles.
Atrophy
Disease characterized by the appearance of great numbers of immature and abnormal white blood cells.
Leukemia
Increase in the number of white blood cells in the blood.
Leucocytosis
Abnormal reduction in the number of white blood cells in the blood.
Leucopenia
Relative incidence of a disease in the population or number of cases in a given time at a given population.
Morbidity Rate
Number of deaths in a given time or place or proportion of deaths to a population.
Mortality Rate
Inflammation of bone and bone marrow.
Osteomyelitis
Loss of bone density.
Osteoporosis
Antemortem, pinpoint, extravascular blood discoloration visible as purplish hemorrhages of the skin. A common cause is asphyxia.
Petechia
Postmortem bruises.
Tardieu Spots
Condition in which spontaneous bleeding occurs in the subcutaneous tissues, causing the appearance of purple patches on the skin.
Purapura
