week 1-chemistry Flashcards
Define “microorganism”
any organism that is too small to be seen without a microscope
What percentage of microorganisms actually cause disease?
Less then 1%
What is a pathogenic microorganism?
Microorganisms that have the ability to produce disease are called pathogenic
What is an infectious disease?
The type of disease a microorganism causes is called an INFECTIOUS DISEASE
What causes infectious diseases?
Toxins
extracellular enzymes
antiphagocytic factors
adhesion proteins
Why is it important to identify microorganisms?
We study them so we can identify the
microorganism causing the disease and find ways to kill it(antibiotics)
What are the main inorganic molecules that living organisms are composed of?
Water, Acids, Bases, and Salts
What are the main organic molecules that living organisms are composed of?
Carbon or hydrogen present
Lipids
* Carbohydrates
* Proteins
* Nucleic acids (DNA and RNA)
* ATP
What will microorganisms use carbohydrates (sugars) for (main function)?
Used to produce ATP
Which cellular structure are
lipids found in?
Cell membranes
Microorganisms can make many proteins. What types of pathogenic proteins can they make?
toxins, extracellular enzymes,
adhesion proteins
What are enzymes?
enzymes help in all metabolic reactions in cells
What are transportation proteins?
channels and pumps help move
substances in and out of the cell
What molecules are the building blocks that make up proteins?
carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen,
and sulfur.
Amino Acids
-The monomers (building blocks) that make up proteins
– Different amino acids are linked together to form proteins
What are the general functions of DNA,
provides the instructions for a cell to function—it provides the instructions on how to make proteins
What are the general functions of, RNA
assists DNA by assembling the proteins (puts correct amino acids together) at the ribosomes
How many H bonds are created from c-g and a-t(u)
Three H bonds form between C and G
* Two H bonds form between T and A in DNA or between U and A in RNA
What are the general functions of ATP?
Energy supply molecule for cells
Bacteria
-Most are single cell with no nucleus or membrane bound organelles
-Prokaryotic cells
virus
-Acellular-they cannot undergo
life processes unless they are inside of
another living cell
-Composed of a nucleic acid and proteins
-NOT CELLS
Fungi
-Eukaryotic cells
-Possess cell walls
-composed of molds and yeasts
-Can produce antibiotics
Molds
multicellular; grow as long filaments (hyphae); reproduce by sexual and asexual spores
Yeasts
unicellular; reproduce asexually by budding; some produce sexual
spores
Protozoa
Single-celled
* Eukaryotic cells
* Lack cell wall
Contain nucleus and intracellular structures
Give general characteristics of prokaryotic cells what structures are similar and which ones are different?
Contain NO nucleus
– No membrane-bound organelles (such as mitochondria)
– Includes bacteria
Give general characteristics of eukaryotic cells—what structures are similar and which ones are different?
Contain nucleus and membrane bound
organelles
– Include all algae, protozoa, fungi, animals and plants
What are the 3 primary shapes of bacteria (prokaryotic cells)?
-Cocci (spherical shape)
– Rod/Bacilli
– Spirochete (Spiral shaped)
What are the functions of flagella in a eukaryotic cell?
helps to aid in mobility sensory and transport functions
What are the functions of cilia, in a eukaryotic cell?
cell movement and help move substances around cells
What are the functions of mitochondria in a eukaryotic cell?
generation of metabolic energy
What are the functions of, cell membrane in a eukaryotic cell?
Controls movement of substances in and out of cell
What are the functions of ribosomes, in a eukaryotic cell?
translate messenger rna
What is an endospore?
Constitute a defensive strategy against
hostile or unfavorable conditions
Why does endospore form
when one or more nutrients are in limited supply or under very harsh
conditions (such as boiling)
What happens when conditions are good in endospore
Germinate (become live cells again) when conditions improve
Do all bacteria form endospore
no
Why is endospore clinically signifiant
they are difficult to kill
outside of the body—if an endospore enters the body it will become vegetative
General functions of Flagella in a prokaryotic cell
long structures that Are responsible for movement of cells
General functions of cell wall in a prokaryotic cell
Provides structure and shape and protects cell from osmotic forces
General functions of capsule in a prokaryotic cell
outer structure finally attached to bacteria and may protect it from host immune system and may adhere it to host cells
General functions Fimbriae/common pili in a prokaryotic cell
Used by bacteria to adhere to one another, to host cells/tissues, and to substances in environment
General functions of sex pili in a prokaryotic cell
Join two bacterial cells and mediate the
transfer of DNA from one cell to another
General functions of nuclear region/nucleoid in a prokaryotic cell
contains dna that controls function of cell
General functions of inclusions in a prokaryotic cell
includes reserves of nutrients or chemicals
General functions of ribosomes in a prokaryotic cell
site for synthesis of proteins
General functions of cell membranes in a prokaryotic cell
selectively allows things in and out of cell and produces energy molecules
Gram positive cell wall in a prokaryotic cell
Relatively thick layer of peptidoglycan
appear purple under microscope
gram negative cell wall in a prokaryotic cell
thin layer of peptidoglycan
cells appear pink under microscope
synthesis
formation of larger molecules from smaller
requires energy
decomposition
breaks down from large to small molecules
releases energy
exchange reactions
Involve atoms moving from one molecule to another
Water
-Most abundant substance in organisms
-Most of its special characteristics due to two polar covalent bonds
Acids and Bases
Acid – dissociates into one or more H+ and one or more anions(proton donor)
Base – binds with H+ when dissolved into water; some dissociate into cations and OH(proton acceptor)
Salts
Compounds that dissociate in water into cations and anions other than H+ and OH–
Cations and anions of salts are electrolytes
