Unit 1: Introduction to Microbiology Flashcards
Who is known as the Father of Chemotherapy and what did he discover?
Paul Ehrlich, who discovered Salvarsan, the first effective treatment for syphilis.
What are the defining characteristics of prokaryotic cells?
Prokaryotic cells are typically 1-4 µm, lack a nucleus, have peptidoglycan cell walls, and contain 70S ribosomes.
What is a steam sterilizer and its purpose?
A method to sterilize equipment using steam to ensure cleanliness and safety.
What significant contribution did Dmitri Ivanovsky make to virology?
He demonstrated that the tobacco mosaic disease was caused by filterable infectious agents.
What is microbiology?
The study of organisms of microscopic size.
What distinguishes eukaryotic cells from prokaryotic cells?
Eukaryotic cells are generally >5 µm, have a nuclear membrane, membrane-enclosed organelles, and 80S ribosomes.
What was Alexander Fleming’s accidental discovery in 1928?
Fleming discovered Penicillin, the first antibiotic, inhibiting bacterial growth.
How does an autoclave achieve sterilization?
An autoclave uses steam under pressure to effectively sterilize various materials.
What are key areas of study in microbiology?
Classification, morphology, physiology, metabolism, distribution, and relationships.
Who proposed that diseases are caused by invisible organisms in the 1st Century BC?
Varo and Columella proposed that diseases result from ‘animalia minuta,’ or invisible organisms.
What process did Elie Metchnikoff describe regarding disease defense?
He described phagocytosis, where leukocytes ingest bacteria, acting as the body’s defense.
What significant observation led to the development of live attenuated vaccines?
Chicken cholera bacillus cultures lost pathogenicity over time but protected against infection.
What concept did Girolamo Fracastorius introduce in 1546?
Fracastorius introduced the idea of ‘living germs’ as causative agents of infectious diseases.
Why is studying microbiology important?
Microorganisms are omnipresent and crucial for ecosystems, food production, and industry.
What key advancement in virus study did Ernst Ruska introduce?
He introduced the Electron Microscope, allowing for improved virus observation.
What did John Needham’s experiments demonstrate regarding microorganisms?
His experiments showed that heated nutrient fluids became turbid, indicating microbial presence.
What significant discoveries did Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek make?
Van Leeuwenhoek was the first to observe single-celled organisms and document various bacteria and blood flow.
What method was used to attenuate anthrax bacillus?
Incubation at high temperatures (42°C-43°C) resulted in attenuated bacilli for inoculation.
What are some beneficial effects of microorganisms?
They aid in food production, industrial applications, and soil health in agriculture.
How did Lazzaro Spallanzani’s findings challenge spontaneous generation?
He found no growth in boiled and sealed beef broth, contradicting Needham’s results.
How are living organisms classified in microbiology?
Into five kingdoms: Monera, Protista, Fungi, Plantae, and Animalia.
Who challenged the theory of spontaneous generation and how?
Francesco Redi disproved it via experiments showing organisms do not arise from non-living matter.
What innovation did Louis Pasteur use to disprove spontaneous generation?
He used swan-necked flasks to boil broth, allowing air while preventing contamination.
What antiseptic technique did Joseph Lister introduce in surgery?
He introduced the use of carbolic acid, significantly reducing surgical sepsis rates.
What are Koch’s Postulates used for?
They establish criteria for identifying a microorganism as the causative agent of disease.
What major invention did Robert Hooke develop in 1678?
Robert Hooke developed the compound microscope.
What was Augustino Bassi’s discovery related to silk worms in 1835?
He discovered that muscardine diseases were caused by a fungus.
What did Holmes and Semmelweis conclude about puerperal sepsis?
They concluded it was transmitted by contaminated hands and suggested handwashing with antiseptics.
What did Edward Jenner prove with his cowpox experiment?
He proved that cowpox protected against smallpox.
Why is Louis Pasteur known as the Father of Microbiology?
He established that fermentation is caused by microbial agents and contributed significantly to bacteriology.
What is recombinant DNA technology?
A method using microorganisms to manipulate genes for producing useful products like enzymes and hormones.
What role do model organisms play in molecular biology?
Microorganisms serve as crucial model organisms for research and experimentation in molecular biology.
How are microbes utilized in industrial microbiology?
Microbes are employed in biotechnology, fermentation technology, and food production for economic and industrial applications.
What is the focus of genetic engineering in agriculture?
It aims at developing transgenic plants and animals for production enhancement and environmental resistance.
What is bioleaching?
A process that uses microbial activity to recover minerals from low-grade ores.
What is the role of bacteria as decomposers in the environment?
They recycle nutrients and are essential for sewage treatment and soil health.
How do microbes contribute to biochemical cycles?
Soil microbes are vital for the sulfur, carbon, and nitrogen cycles.
What is bioremediation and give an example of a microbe used?
It involves using microbes to clean pollutants, e.g., Pseudomonas putida for petroleum spills.
Who is credited with describing the process of fermentation?
Louis Pasteur in 1856 highlighted the significance of fermentation in food microbiology.
What was Edward Jenner’s contribution to immunology?
He inoculated with cowpox to protect against smallpox, laying groundwork for vaccination.
What items are prohibited in the laboratory?
Food, drink, and tobacco are prohibited in the lab to maintain safety.
What type of footwear is required in the lab?
Closed-toed shoes are required; open-toed sandals are not allowed.
What is the proper handwashing duration in the lab?
Wash hands with soap and water for 15 seconds before and after lab work.
What should be done with contaminated materials?
Dispose of contaminated or used materials promptly as instructed.
What precautions must be taken with Bunsen burners?
Keep hair tied back, exercise caution, and turn off burners when not in use.
