Week 9 / Microbiology Lecture 1 Flashcards
What is microbiology?
what types of microorganisms does it study,
including individual microbes and communities of microbes?
Microbiology is the study of microorganisms, also known as microbes.
It includes various types of organisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, archaea, parasites, and protozoa.
Microbiology examines both individual microbes and communities of microbes.
In what fields does microbiology have a significant impact?[5]
fermented foods, baking, brewing, and wine making.
water and sewage treatment, agriculture
spoilage prevention
the study of pathogens infectious diseases,
the development of pharmaceuticals and biotechnology.
What are microorganisms, and how do viruses and fungi differ in their cellular structure?
Microorganisms, or microbes, are microscopic organisms typically smaller than 1 mm and often unicellular.
Viruses are acellular, meaning they lack cellular structure, while fungi can form multicellular structures.
What are some characteristics of microorganisms in terms of their evolution, adaptability, and genetic diversity?
Microorganisms were among the first organisms to evolve on Earth.
They have the ability to adapt rapidly to changing conditions and exhibit the greatest genetic diversity of all groups of living organisms.
Are all microorganism (microbes) friendly?
no , they are the major cause of mortality
What roles have microbes been increasingly shown to play in non-infectious diseases?
Microbes have been increasingly shown to play roles in non-infectious diseases such as stomach ulcers and obesity. Their presence and activity can influence the development and progression of these conditions.
What is normal flora, and how can changes in conditions lead to infections?
Normal flora refers to microorganisms that live in benign symbiosis with a host, such as non-toxigenic E. coli, lactic acid bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida yeast.
While some of these microbes may be potentially pathogenic, they typically do not cause disease unless conditions change. If conditions such as hormonal shifts, environmental factors, or stress occur, these microbes may grow more extensively, leading to infections, which in some cases can be severe, like MRSA.
How does microbiology contribute to public health?
the identification of diseases, tracking
controlling disease outbreaks
monitoring antimicrobial resistance
identifying appropriate treatments,
supporting vaccination efforts to prevent infectious diseases.
What are the challenges in medical microbiology related to antibiotic resistance? [4]
include the misuse of antibiotics
the use of antibiotics as growth promoters in livestock
the non-prescription use of antibiotics,
both of which promote the spread of resistant microbial strains.
What is biotechnology?
Biotechnology is a broad area of biology that utilizes living systems and organisms to produce products.
What is citric acid, and how is it produced?
Citric acid is a compound produced primarily by the fungus Aspergillus niger
Uses raw materials such as brewery waste, coconut oil, rapeseed oils .
More than 1,000,000 tons of citric acid are produced annually
it is commonly used as an acidity regulator or flavoring agent in various food and beverage products.
What is Bacillus licheniformis, and what role does it play in detergent production?
bacterium that produces alkaline protease in response to nutrient limitation.
This enzyme is used in laundry detergents, as alkaline proteases are effective in digesting protein-based stains. Annually, more than 1,000 tons are produced.
What are some natural medicinal products of microbial origin, and what are their uses?
Antimicrobials: Penicillins and streptomycin, which are derived from fungi, are widely used to treat bacterial infections.
Endolysins: Viral proteins that can target and lyse bacterial cells, offering potential as antibacterial agents.
Cholesterol-lowering agents: Lovastatin, produced by fungi, is used to manage cholesterol levels in patients.
Neurotoxins: Botulinum toxin, produced by bacteria, is used in medical treatments for conditions like muscle spasms and in cosmetic procedures to reduce wrinkles.
How can bacteria be genetically modified for therapeutic purposes, and what are some examples?
Bacteria can be genetically modified to produce therapeutic proteins, which has significant implications for medicine. For example, insulin (known as Humulin) was first produced in 1978 by Genentech and later licensed to Eli Lilly; it has been in use for over 25 years to treat diabetes. Additionally, recombinant vaccines, such as Gardasil, target the human papillomavirus (HPV). Gardasil contains recombinant viral proteins produced in bacteria, providing a safe and effective way to prevent HPV-related diseases. These advancements illustrate the vital role of genetic engineering in developing medical therapies and vaccines.
How do microbes impact pharmaceutical products, and what is microbial spoilage?
Microbes can contaminate pharmaceutical products,
causing economic losses and safety risks for patients.
Microbial spoilage is the deterioration of products due to these contaminants, highlighting the need for stringent quality control.
