The Nature of Infection Flashcards
What are the major groups of human pathogens?
Protozoa
Fungi
Bacteria
Viruses
Are bacteria prokaryotes or eukaryotes?
Prokaryotes
What are examples of eukaryotic pathogens?
Protozoa
Fungi
What is the difference between eukaryotes and prokaryotes in terms of size?
Eukaryotes are generally bigger
What is the difference between eukaryotes and prokaryotes in terms of how complex they are?
Eukaryotes are complex and compartmental
Prokaryotes are relatively simple
What is the difference between eukaryotes and prokaryotes in terms of number of cells?
Eukaryotes are frequently multicellular
Prokaryotes are often single-celled
What is the difference between eukaryotes and prokaryotes in terms of chromosomes?
Eukaryotes have linear chromosomes and histones
Prokaryotes have a single circular chromosome
What is the difference between eukaryotes and prokaryotes in terms of ribosomes?
Eukaryotes have 80S ribosomes
Prokaryotes have 70S ribosomes
What is the difference between eukaryotes and prokaryotes in terms of cell wall?
Eukaryotes have no cell wall or a flexible cell wall
Prokaryotes have a rigid cell wall
What is the difference between eukaryotes and prokaryotes in terms of cell cycle?
Eukaryotes carry out mitosis/meiosis
Prokaryotes have a rapid cell cycle
What does the nucleoid contain?
Contains the DNA and proteins
Does the nucleoid contain a nuclear membrane?
No
How is energy generated in bacteria?
Electrons are released from high energy compounds in the cytoplasm
The electrons reach the membrane and are passed through a series of electron acceptors
As a consequence protons are passed outside the membrane, producing a positive charge and a protein gradient across the membrane
What is another name for the cell wall of a bacteria?
Peptidoglycan (PG)
What structure does a bacteria’s cell wall have?
Repeated polysaccharide structure
What is the difference between a gram positive or negative cell wall?
Positive - thick and multi-layered
Negative - thinner
What is a bacteria’s cell wall the target of?
Penicillin
Where is lipopolysaccharide found?
A component of endotoxin, along with peptidoglycan
Which type of bacteria is lipopolysaccharide found in?
Gram negative
What is lipopolysaccharide like in gram negative bacteria?
The outer membrane is asymmetric
The surface is nearly all lipopolysaccharide
What is the function of lipopolysaccharide?
Plays a structural role
Is an antigen and bacterial toxin
What type of bacteria are flagella and fimbriae found in?
Gram positive and negative
What are fimbriae?
An appendage found on bacteria that is thinner and shorter than a flagellum
What are the factors required for prokaryotic growth?
C, O, H, N
Trace other elements
Vitamins