Microorganisms - Overview Flashcards
Microbiology
This is the study of organisms to small to be seen clearly by the unaided eye.
What does microbiology study?
Viruses: Non-cellular
Prokaryotes: Bacteria/Archaea
Eukaryotes: Protists, Algae and Fungi.
What do Pathogens do?
Cause infectious disease with roles in biogeochemical cycles.
Who are most vulnerable to pathogens?
Impoverished and children.
Which micro-organisms are major causes of death?
Malaria, Tuberculosis and Cholera.
How are microorganisms controlled?
Vaccinations, antibiotics, personal hygeine or control measures.
What are examples of recently emerging Diseases?
COVID-19, Influenza, Monkeypox…
Pathogen
A biological agent with the capacity to cause disease in a host.
What benefits do microorganisms provide?
Food and gut biome, mental health.
What are problems with microorganisms?
Food spoiling and disease.
How are bacteria grown in a lab?
Agar plate
What are the three domains?
Eukaryotes, Prokaryotes and Archaea
What are the characteristics of Archea?
tRNA and rRNA
No PG cell walls
Linked lipids built by phytanyl chains
Unsual habitats.
What are the important properties of cells?
Compartmentalizaiton
Metabolism
Growth
Evolution
Motile
Differentation
Communication
What are the sizes of microbes?
Viruses 0.01-0.2 microns
Bacteria 0.2-5 microns
Eukaryotes 5-100 microns
Yeast 5-10 microns
Protists 50-100 microns
Why is cell size important?
In cell volume/surface area ratio, smaller cells having faster growth and higher evolution rates.
What alternate structures might bacteria have?
Capsule/Slime Layer and Inclusions
What are the functions of cell membrnaes?
Seperation from the envrionment
Selective permeability
Respiration/Photosynthesis
Proton motive force
What are examples of clustered bacteria?
Diplococci
Streptococci
Clump of Cocci
How do Archae/Mycobacteria differ?
Contain mycolic acids, where Archae have s-layer of proteins/glycoproteins and pseudomurein.
Why is GNB/GPB differentiation important?
Allows for gram statining with Crystal Violet, Iodine, Ethanol and Safranin
Why dont bacteria lyse archae?
Lacking of PG cell wall.
What external structures may be found in bacteria?
Capsule, Fimbriae, Pili and Flagella.
What do cell inclusions often store?
Glycogen, Hydroxybutyrate, Polyphosphate granules and Sulphur granules, or magnetosomes.
Why are gas vesicles important in aquatic bacteria?
Buoyancy in cyanobacteria.
Why are endospores important?
Survive through thousands of years, highly resistance to heat, drying and radiation.
