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
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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
why are microorganisms important? (12)
- Oldest form of life (3.9- 3.8 b.y.a)
- Microbes found almost everywhere but most live in oceans and soil
- Largest mass of living material on Earth (⅓– ½ of world’s biomass); Global estimate of 5x10^30 cells
- Carry out major processes for biogeochemical cycles (i.e., nitrogen, carbon)
- Other life forms require microbes to survive
- Cause many human and animal disease
- Cause most plant disease
- Cause 99.99 % of all decomposition
- Responsible for the deterioration of organic materials
- Many useful products are made by microorganisms
- Bioremediation
- Food/Beverages
what are the 9 characteristics of life?
1) Composed of one or more cells
2) Highly organized
3) Responds to environmental changes (stimuli)
4) Grows and develops
5) Adapts to changing environments (evolves)
6) Requires and uses energy
7) Undergoes metabolism
8) Regulation and homeostasis
9) Reproduction
slides 18-21
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who was the first person to observe and describe microorganisms accurately? How did he do this?
- Antony van Leeuwenhoek (1632-1723)
- used simple microscope
What is spontaneous generation?
Who discredited this theory and how did he do it?
- Spontaneous generation: living organisms can develop from nonliving or decomposing matter
- Francesco Redi (1626-1697) discredited this by showing maggots on decaying meat came from fly eggs
Who is Louis Pasteur (1822-1895) and what did he do that was important?
-Helped disprove spontaneous generation His experiments: -placed nutrient solution in flasks -created flasks with long, curved necks -boiled the solutions -left flasks exposed to air Results: no growth of microorganisms
**slides 25-29
What other contributions we made by Pasteur?
- demonstrated that alcohol fermentations and other fermentations were the result of microbial activity
- developed the process of pasteurization to preserve wine during storage
What contributions were made by Pasteur and his coworkers?
developed vaccines for chicken cholera, anthrax, and rabies
What is the Germ Theory?
belief that certain diseases were caused by microorganisms