Topic I Introduction to Microbiology Flashcards
what is microbiology?
the study of the biology of microorganisms.
microbiology includes the study of what things?
Which are acellular and which are cellular?
- Viroids, Prions, Virusoids and Viruses – acellular entities
- Prokaryotes (bacteria) - cellular
- Eukaryotes - cellular
name some eukaryotes (4)
Protozoa
Many algae
Some fungi
Helminthe (worm) Larvae
*look at slide 4 flow chart
slide 5
:)
describe Domain Bacteria (5)
- Usually single-celled
- Majority have cell wall with peptidoglycan
- Lack a membrane-bound nucleus
- Ubiquitous and some live in extreme environments
- Cyanobacteria and some others produce amounts of significant oxygen
**pictures on slide 8
describe Domain Archaea (3)
Lack peptidoglycan in cell walls
Have unique cell membrane lipids
Many live in extreme environments
what distinguishes Domain Archaea from Domain Bacteria
Domain Archaea is Distinguished from Bacteria by unique rRNA sequences
what 2 things make up Domain Eukarya - Eukaryotic?
describe both
Protists: generally larger than Bacteria and Archaea
Fungi: chemoheterotroph absorbers
what are 4 examples of Protists? say something about each
Algae – photosynthetic
Protozoa – chemoheterotrophs
Slime molds – chemeoheterotrophs with two life cycle stages
Water molds – devastating disease in plants
what are 2 examples of Fungi? is each unicellular or multicellular?
Yeast – unicellular
Mold - multicellular
describe viruses (3)
- Smallest of all microbes
- Requires host cell to replicate
- Cause range of diseases, some cancers
what are Viroids and Virusoids?
Infectious agents composed of RNA that are acellular
what are Prions?
infectious proteins that are acellular
Microbiology studies the following aspects of microorganisms: (6)
Biochemistry Morphology Physiology Genetics Ecology Evolution
what are the 2 aspects of microbiology?
- ) Understanding basic life processes (basic science)
- Microbes are excellent models for understanding cellular processes in unicellular and multicellular organisms - ) Applying that knowledge to the benefit of humans (applied science)
- Microbes play important roles in medicine, agriculture, and industry