Physical/Chemical Control of Microbes Flashcards
Vocab
Define sterilization
The total absence of pathogens includes anything capable of life
Ex: Bacteria, Fungi, Protists, Helminths, Bacterial/Fungal spores, Viruses
Define disinfection
A general term that refers to
the destruction of MOST microbial life. Not a scientific term but it is often used in place of antisepsis
Define sepsis
- The presence of GROWING organisms
- Growth refers to the size of population. Not the size of the microorganism itself
- A small number of microorganisms is handled by the immune system
- Stopping growth is a primary goal
Define antisepsis
When microorganisms are present but they aren’t growing.
Define decontamination
Used to indicate the physical removal of organisms and substances (chemicals) to some degree. The term is also known as sanatation
Define living surface
Things in your body such as blood vessels, guts, and skin
Define fomite
Any non-living surface
Ex: Benchtops, Surgical instruments, Laboratory materials
Define germs
An imprecise term generally means any type of microorganism involved in disease. It’s known as the beginning cell of a pathogen.
Define viruses
Multi-celled but can only reproduce and multiply inside a plant, animal, or person.
Ex: Chicken Pox, Hepatitis, COVID-19, Measles
Define bacteria
A once-cell creature that can live inside or outside of the body
Ex: Anthrax, Bacteria, E-Coli, Typhoid
Define fungi
A multi-celled pathogen that is similar to plants like tree fungus. Fungi takes nutrition from a plant, tree, or animals
Ex: Ringworm, Yeast Infection
Define protoza
One-celled creature that is usually spread through water
Ex: Malaria, Chagas Disease
Define parasites
A complex living organism that can be in our intestinal tract or bloodstream
Ex: Round/Tape Worms, Trigonosis
Define protein
A multi-cell organism that can only reproduce inside a plant, animal, or person.
Ex: Mad cow disease
