Unit 1: Fundamental of Microbiology

Question 1

What is Microbes?

Answer 1

Microbes (microorganisms) are minute living things that are too small to be seen with unaided eyes.

Question 2

Binomial Nomenclature System?

Answer 2

Established in 1735 by Carolus Linnaeus.
The scientific name of each organism include the genus name followed by species name (specific epithet).
1) The genus name is capitalized; the species name is not capitalized
2) Scientific name are italicized when in print (or typed); they are underlined if handwritten
3) After mentioned once in the same article, the genus name of a scientific name can be abbreviated. Ex: E. coli
4) The abbreviation sp. is used when the species of an organism is not specified; spp. is used for the abbr. of multiple species in the same genus

Question 3

Bacteria (sing. Bacterium)

Answer 3

Simple, single-celled prokaryotic microorganisms

1) Have no nucleus but an area called nucleoid where single circular chromosome situates.
2) DNA is not associated with histones
3) Have no membrane-bound organelles
4) Cell wall is composed of peptidoglycan
5) Reproduce by binary fission

Question 4

Basic Shapes and Arrangement of Cocci

Answer 4

Coccus (pl. cocci) sphere-shaped

1) DIPLOcocci: cocci that remain in pairs after division
2) STREPTOcocci: cocci remain attached in chain-like patterns
3) TETRADS: cocci that divide into 2 planes and remain in groups of four
4) SARCINAE: cocci that divide in three planes and remain attached in cube-like groups
5) STAPHYLcocci: cocci that divide in multiple planes and form grape-like cluster or broad sheets

Question 5

Basic Shapes and Arrangement of Baccilli

Answer 5

Baccillus (pl. Baccilli) rod-shaped, most appear as single rods

1) DIPLObaccilli: appear in pairs after division
2) STREPTObaccilli: appear in chains; some looks like straws; others look like cigars with tapered ends
3) COCCObaccilli: oval and look much like cocci, can be mistaken as dipococci

Question 6

Chemotherapy

Answer 6

Treatment of disease by using chemical

Question 7

Synthetic drugs

Answer 7

Chemotherapeutic drug prepared from chemicals in the laboratory

Question 8

Antibiotics

Answer 8

Chemicals produced naturally from bacteria or fungi to act against other organisms.

Question 9

Fungi (sing. fungus)

Answer 9

Unicellular or multicellular eukaryotic organisms Ex: yeasts (unicellular), molds and mushrooms (multicellular)

1) Eukaryotic cells
2) DNA resides in the nucleus
3) Cell wall contains chitin
4) Molds forms long filamentous structures called hyphae (sing. hypha) which branch and intertwine to form the visible mass called mycelium
5) Do not perform photosynthesis
6) Obtain nutrients by absorbing organic materials from outside
7) Reproduce sexually or asexually.