Overview Of Microbes

Question 1

Pathogenic microbes

Answer 1

Capable of causing disease in people and animals

Question 2

Two major categories of cells:

Answer 2

Prokaryotes and eukaryotes

Question 3

Prokaryotes

Answer 3

Do not have a true nucleus and are relatively simple cells.
Genetic material is found loose in the cell.
For example bacteria

Question 4

Eukaryotes

Answer 4

Have a defined/true nucleus surrounded by a membrane and are much more complex.
For example: fungi, protozoa, animal and plant cells.

Question 5

Characteristics of bacteria

Answer 5

Made up of only one cell.
Look like balls, rods or spirals.
Can inhabit a variety of environments.
Lack organelles such as chloroplasts and mitochondria.
Do not have a true nucleus.
Reproduction occurs through binary fission.
Cell membrane and cell wall present.
Ribosomes are smaller than those found in any other cell.

Question 6

Cytoplasm

Answer 6

The content inside the cell. Contains ribosomes , the nucleoid and plasmids.

Question 7

Ribosomes function:

Answer 7

Protein synthesis

Question 8

What is a nucleoid?

Answer 8

Concentrated genetic material

Question 9

What are plasmids?

Answer 9

Small, circular pieces of DNA, some of which carry genes that control resistance to various drugs.

Question 10

Pathogen’s are rated on 2 characteristics:

Answer 10

Invasiveness and toxigenicity

Question 11

Invasiveness

Answer 11

A measure of the bacterium’s ability to grow inside the host

Question 12

Toxigenicity

Answer 12

Measures the capacity of the bacterium to produce toxins

Question 13

Virulence

Answer 13

Ability to cause disease

Question 14

How does the body fight off a bacterial infection?

Answer 14

The body mounts an immune response to the foreign invader, producing antibodies for immediate help and future protection.

Question 15

Virion

Answer 15

A piece of virus

Question 16

Characteristics of a virus

Answer 16

Obligatory intracellular parasites
Require living host cells to multiply
Contain either DNA or RNA
Contain a protein coat
No ribosomes 
No ATP generating mechanism