microbiome/medically important bacteria/ medically important protozoans Flashcards
what is a symbiotic relationship?
where different species live closely together and they can be beneficial, neutral, harmful
define mutualism
both species benefit
define commensalism
one is benefitted the other is not affected
define parasitism
one species, the parasite is the only one to benefit
define dysbiosis
imbalance of natural microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, viruses that live in the gut for example
define an opportunistic infection
microorganism like bacteria, fungi, and viruses taking advantage of a weak immune system
novel pathogens
an unfamiliar type of pathogen that is hard to control, and example- covid
what are ways bacteria is helpful medically?
digestion
production of medicine
research study
fermentation
biotechnology
how does bacteria help digestion?
food is broken down and nutrients good for health are processed
how does bacteria help production of medicine?
production of various medicines, antibiotics, insulin, vaccines
how does bacteria help fermentation?
bacteria used to ferment food like yogurt and cheese
how is bacteria used in biotechnology?
genetic engineering, protein production
what does mechanism of pathogenicity mean?
ways in which a microorganism like bacteria or virus causes disease
how is attachment used as a mechanism of pathogenicity?
specialized structures of proteins that allow them to attach to specific cells or tissues
how is invasion used as a mechanism of pathogenicity?
pathogens can penetrate host cells or tissues by secreting barrier breaking enzymes or exploiting host cell processes
how is toxin production used as a mechanism of pathogenicity?
the toxin can harm host cells or tissues leading to development of disease symptoms
in mechanisms of pathogenicity how is multiplication & spread used?
pathogens can replicate in hosts body increasing numbers
despite inflammation being a defensive mechanism what can excessive inflammation do?
it can contribute to tissue damage
how is destruction of host cells used as a mechanism of pathogenicity.
some pathogens directly destroy a hosts cells as a mean to cause tissue damage.
what are ways of entry into a host as a mechanism of pathogenicity?
mucous membranes
breaks in skin
insect bites
ingestion
direct contact
what is an example of entry into a host by mucous membranes
can enter through surfaces by respiration, digestion or reproductive tracts. This can happen when eating, breathing or contact with contaminated substance
example of entry into host by breaks in skin
skin is cut or injured and pathogens can enter
examples of entry into host by insect bite
some pathogens transferred from insects like mosquitoes and malaria
example of entry into host by direct contact
pathogens passed from person to person through direct contact with bodily fluids or surfaces
what are medically important protozoans?
single celled microorganisms that can cause disease
for these medically important protozoans what is the life cycle
infection
trophozoite stage
cyst formation
transmission
excystation
for the protozoans what is infection?
protozoans enter the hosts body by insect bite, direct contact or ingestion
for protozoans what is the trophozoite stage?
the protozoan starts as a trophozoite and in the feeding stage and multiply by division
for protozoans what is cyst formation?
when conditions are unfavorable and there is need to survive outside of host it can transform into a cyst with a protective outer shell.
for protozoans what is transmission
cysts are released from the body by secretion and the cysts can contaminate the environment and be ingested by another host
for protozoans what is excystation
in the new host the cyst can go back to the trophozoite state and begin to multiply and cause damage to the body
for protozoans what is a vector
something that passes on the pathogen an example would be a mosquitoe
