Module 1: Characteristics of Microorganisms Flashcards
a visible mass of bacteria on a solid medium that has grown from one bacterial cell
colony
a structure formed by some bacteria that allows the bacterium to remain dormant during periods of adverse conditions. These are more resistant to destruction than vegetative bacteria.
endospore
a virus particle surrounded by a lipid envelope
enveloped virus
the time required for a bacterial population to double
generation time
staining procedure carried out in the laboratory. Divides bacteria into two groups, Gram positive staining a blue-black colour and Gram negative staining a red colour.
Gram stain
the phases of growth (lag, log, stationary, death) bacteria go through when introduced into a culture medium
growth curve
a unit of the metric system used for measurement of microscopic objects (1,000 of these in one millimeter)
micrometer
a virus consisting of nucleic acid and protein but no lipid envelope
unenveloped (naked) virus
a bacterial cell that does not have an endospore
vegetative cell
