Week 1-Mircobiology Flashcards
Aerobes
Organisms that favor an oxygen rich environment
Aerosol droplets
Droplets of moisture small enough to remain suspended in air
Anaerobes
Organisms that favor a oxygen poor enviornment
Bioburden
Number of bacteria on a surface
Contaminated
Surface, substance, or tissue that is not free of microbes
Cross-contamination
Spread of infection from one person/object to another person/object
Culture
Process of growing a microbe in a laboratory setting
Diffusion
Uniform dispersal of particles in a solution or across a membrane
Direct transmission
Transfer of microbes by direct physical contact with microbes
Droplet nuclei
Dried remnants of previously moist secretions containing microbes
Endospore
Dormant stage of some bacteria that allows them to survive in extreme environmental conditions; spores
Entry site
Sites where microbes enter the body
Fomite
Intermediate inanimate source in the process of disease transmission
Infection
State/condition in which pathogenic microbes invade and colonize in the body/body tissues
Inflammation
Body’s reaction to injury/infection, results in redness, heat, swelling, and pain
Necrosis
Tissue death
Nosocomial infection
Hospital-acquired infection or healthcare-acquired infection; infection acquired as a result of being in a health care facility
Opportunistic infection
Infection in a weakened individual or as the result of specific drugs
Pathogen
Disease-causing microbe
Prion
Infectious protein substance that is resistant to common sterilization methods
Resident microorganisms
Microbes that normally colonize certain tissues of the body
Sterile
Completely free of all microbes
Suppurative
Having developed pus and fluid
Vector
Living intermediate carrier of microbes from one host to another
Viron
Complete virus particle
Virulence
Degree to which a microbe is capable of causing disease
Prokaryote
Single-celled microbe, no distinct nucleus
Cell wall
Structural layer surrounding some types of cells, outside cell membrane
Chromosome
DNA molecule with part or all of the genetic material of an organism
Cell membrane
Biological membrane that separates the interior of all cells to the outside environment
Plasmid
Genetic structure in a cell that can replicate independently of chromosomes; in the cytoplasm
Cytoplasm
Material within a living cell, excluding the nucleus
Ribosomes
Minute particle consisting of RNA and associated proteins; found in large numbers in the cytoplasm of living cells
Eukaryote
Any organism whose cells contains a nucleus and other organelles enclosed in memebranes
Mitochondria
Organelle found in large numbers in cells; where biochemical processes of respiration and energy production occur
Nuclear membrane
Phospholipid bilayer membrane; surrounds the genetic material and nucleolus in eukaryotic cells
Smooth endoplasmic reticulum
Network of tubular membranes within the cytoplasm of the cell, occurring with a smooth surface involved in the transport of materials
Golgi apparatus
Organelle found in most eukaryotic cells; packages proteins into membrane-bound vesicles inside the cell before vesicles are sent to their destination
Rough endoplasmic reticulum
Network of tubular membranes within the cytoplasm of the cell studded with ribosomes involved in the transport of materials
Lysosome
Organelle in the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells containing degradative enzymes enclosed in a membrane
Organelles
Any of a number of organized or specialized structures within a living cell
Passive transport
Movement of biochemicals and other atomic or molecular substances across cell membranes without need of energy input
Active transport
Movement of ions or molecules across a cell membrane into a region of higher concentration, assisted by enzymes and requiring energy
Phagocytosis
Ingestion of bacteria or other material by phagocytes and amoeboid protozoans
Gram staining
Staining technique for preliminary identification of bacteria; gram pos - bacteria appear violet, gram neg- red
Acid-fast staining
Differential stain used to identify acid-fast organisms
Cilia
Short, microscopic, hairlike vibrating structure
Aseptic technique
Method designed to prevent contamination from microbes
Symbiosis
Interaction between 2 different organisms living in close physical association, usually to the advantage of both
Staphylococcus Aureus
Most widespread cause of SSI; resides on healthy skin; can cause endocarditis and osteomyelitis
