Week 1 Fundamental Microbiology ✅ Flashcards
What is the function of the cell wall?
Prevent osmotic shock
Rigidity
Polarity
What is the function of the capsule?
Defense from the host
What is the function of the flagellum?
Motility
What is the function of fimbrae?
Enable adherence
What are helminths?
Worms
Which cells are eukaryotic?
Plant
Animal
Helminthus
Fungi
Protozoa
Which cells are prokaryotic?
Bacteria
What is the difference in prokaryotic cells?
No organised nucleus - DNA in cytoplasm
Which cells are unicellular?
Fungi
Protozoa
Bacteria
Virus
Which cells are multicellular?
Plant
Animal
Helminthus
Fungi
Are viruses prokaryotic?
NO
What are prions?
Proteins that can trigger normal proteins to form abnormally. No DNA or RNA
Give an example of a disease caused by a prion
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
What are zoonotic pathogens?
Infectious disease transmitted between animals and humans
How big is a bacterium approx?
~2µm
How big is a virus approx?
~350nm
What is a mutualistic micro-organism?
Benefits host
What is a commensal micro-organism?
Takes from the host but does not harm
What is a parasite?
Interferes host with function
What is a pathogen?
Causes disease
What is an opportunistic pathogen?
Mutualistic + pathogen
e.g. immunocompromised picks up infection already in the body
How are pathogens diagnosed?
Morphology (shape)
External envelopes (gram -ve/+ve)
Structures and functions e.g. flagella
Genetic makeuo
Cellular and population arrangements
Biochemical properties
What is the appearance of capsule?
Gooey on petri dish
What does a capsule cause?
High fever
Progresses quickly
Aggressive
What is the function of capsule?
Retain water
Polysaccharide attached to cell wall
Also block antibodies
How is the shape of a bacteria created?
By cell wall, NOT the capsule!
Are most cocci gram +ve or -ve?
=ve
What is fimbra/pilus?
Attaches to surface
What temperature do mesophiles grow?
10-45°c, peak at 37°c
What pH do neutrophiles grow?
6-9
What is significance of envelope viruses?
Take cell membrane with it!
How does virus with RNA replicate?
In the cell
RNA turns to DNA
DNA makes the RNA
RNA is encapsulated and passed on
