1017 > Microbiology > Flashcards

Microbiology Flashcards

(47 cards)

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1
Q

what is microbiology

A

scientific study of microorganisms that are too small to be seen with the naked eye.
- colony of microorganisms can be seen without microscope

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2
Q

Euakaryotic organisms

A

plants
fungi
protozoa
algae
parasites

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3
Q

Size of prokaryotes vs eukaryotes

A

prokaryotes = 0.2 - 2 micrometres
eukaryotes = 10 - 100 micrometres

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4
Q

genetic material of prokaryotes vs eukaryotes

A

prokaryotes = single circular chromosome held in nucleoid

eukaryotes = multiple linear chromosomes held in nucleus

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5
Q

which organelles do prokaryotes not contain but eukaryotes do

A

endoplasmic reticulum
mitochondria
chloroplasts (photosynthetic bacteria still have chlorophyll)
golgi apparatus

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6
Q

pathogenic microorganisms

A

Those that are capable of causing disease
- however, many microorganisms are important to health

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7
Q

5 groups of microbes

A

bacteria
fungi (yeast and mould)
protozoa
virus
algae

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8
Q

Compare the 5 microbes

A

Bacteria = prokaryotic, unicellular, cell walls, DNA, can have flagella
Virus = acellular, DNA or RNA
Fungi = unicellular or multicellular, eukaryotes, DNA
Protozoa = unicellular, eukaryotic, can have flagella or cilia
algae = unicellular or multicellular, eukaryotes, DNA

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9
Q

where are fungi often found and how do they reproduce

A

in skin folds as these areas are moist and have nutrients for fungi to grow
sexual or asexual reproduction

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10
Q

3 types of fungi

A

yeast =unicellular
mould = multicellular
dimorphic = grow as yeast in heat and mould in cold

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11
Q

Hyphae and mycelia of moulds

A

Hyphae are long filaments that extend to find nutrients. Mycelia are web of hyphae

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12
Q

opportunistic infection

A

in certain circumstances (weakened immune system) there is an opportunity for microbes to survive and cause disease. These microbes wouldn’t cause disease in people with healthy immune systems

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13
Q

virulence

A

measure of the ability of microorganism to evade immune system and cause infection
- viruses are often virulent

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14
Q

bacteria’s properties to cause infection and how it spreads

A

release toxins that damage cells
Invade and damage cells
Spread by: droplets, touching surfaces, cuts, food, sex

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15
Q

What features are found in some bacteria

A

capsule (primarily made up of polusaccharides and polypetyides - either or both) to protect from chemical attacks - however, this can help in identification of bacteria
flagellum
cilia

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16
Q

Viruses properties to cause infection and how it spreads

A

Virus glycoprotein binds to receptor on cell, virus fuses membrane, virus inserts genetic material by endocytosis.
Genetic material translated to produce more viral particles
Spread in same way as bacteria

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17
Q

How do moulds cause infection and spread

A

moulds infect surface of skin, nails, mucous membrane, inside of organs
Release enzymes that breakdown cell wall and membrane
Hyphae can invade cells
release mycotoxins
Spread: sending spores into the environment from which they reproduce

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18
Q

What are mycotoxins

A

Toxins that cause poisoning to organs

Can lead to defects such as immune deficiency and cancer

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19
Q

How do yeasts cause infection

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A

When yeasts overgrow due to the imbalances in the bacteria that will keep yeast in balance

20
Q

How do protozoa cause infection and spread

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A

Animals may act as vectors or arthropods
Their motility means they spread rapidly around the body

21
Q

Types of antibiotics

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A

bacteriostatic = prevent bacteria dividing and reproducing
Bacteriocidal = destroys bacteria

22
Q

how is bacteria identified

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A

shape (morphology), size, colour = microscope
staining
nutritional requirements (aerobic, anaerobic)
nature of infection
lab based criteria (immunological, biochemical, molecular)
nature of infection
where the infection was acquired

23
Q

How does bacteria spread infection

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A

Droplets, enter via wound, food, poor hand hygiene, fomites (e.g. needle stick injury), vectors (e.g. mosquitos)

24
Q

How do bacteria cause infection/ spread infection

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A

Bacteria multiply rapidly so evolve rapidly to evade immune system.
biproducts of growth e.g. acid or toxins can destroy nearby cells
toxins can also travel in blood, cause lysis or trigger destructive immune responses

25
what does staining reveal about bacteria
whether bacteria is gram positive or gram negative based on structure of cell wall
26
how do lab based techniques identify bacteria
27
shapes of bacteria
spiral/ spirochetes = most virulent as they can borrow into cells hiding away from immune response coccus = ball bacillus = rod
28
importance of bacteriology to infection, prevention and control
Knowing type of bacteria allows targeted drug treatment Tracking antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria enables safe antibiotic use Knowing how bacteria is transmitted informs hygiene
29
difference between human cells and fungi
humans have cholesterol in cell membrane fungi don't have cholesterol, they have ergosterol Therefore antifungal drugs will target ergosterol
30
How do fungi spread infection?
airborne fungal spores direct contact with people skin or membrane physically breached touching infected soil *grow in warm moist areas *Fungi present in body can grow uncontrollably when person immunocompromised
31
virus
can contain DNA or RNA have a capsule they are not living so called a particle can only survive using host cell mechanisms
32
how does virus enter cell
Its attachment proteins (present on capsid) attaches to antigens on body cell. Endocytosis to insert its genetic material into the cell so it can have its genetic material translated. Virus particles rapidly replicate and bud out of cell, eventually host cell membrane becomes so weak that host cell dies
33
How do viruses spread
poor hand hygiene, droplets, physical breach of skin or membrane, contact with infected body fluids, sex
34
dormant virus
some viruses can become dormant and will activate (reproduce) when immune system becomes weak
35
importance of virology to infection, prevention and control
Understanding the mechanisms used by virus to replicate informs antiviral medication Knowing the spread of viruses informs use of vaccinations and PPE
36
protozoa
eukaryotic unicellular microbes inhabiting water and soil linked to poor sanitation These are parasites use sexual reproduction or binary fission move by flagella, cilia or pseudopods (cell membrane and cytoplasm propel forward) dont have cell walls (some have protective cysts with thickened walls)
37
algae
unicellular or multicellular asexual or sexual reproduction cellulose cell wall most are photosynthetic
38
How does Algae cause infection
Cyanobacteria can grow in warm still water They release cyanotoxins that cause diarrhoea, rash, gastrointestinal problems, neurotoxins can cause death anatoxins and saxitoxins are nerve toxins Liver toxin =
39
How do protozoa spread
naturally will live in the intestine -can be transmitted by food, water or physical contact Those that naturally live in blood or tissue will be transmitted by vectors
40
Importance of bacteriology, virology and paristology for infection and prevention
Identify the bacteria/ virus/ parasite responsible for the infection to use the appropriate antibiotics/ treatment. Understanding how the microbe spreads could lead to greater prevention of transmission
41
Define pathogenesis
Biological process by which a disease develops and is maintained in body from initial cause (how it causes infection and evades immune system)
42
Commensal microbes meaning
Microbes that can live at the surface of the human body or in mucosa without harming human health
43
Virulence meaning
Capacity of microorganism to overcome the immune system and cause disease. Refers also to the mechanisms that it uses to do so
44
What is vibrios
bacteria that live in coastal water
45
How can vibrio bacteria infect people
eating infected shellfish Swimming in infected waters with open wound
46
3 types of parasites
helminths = large endoparasites Ectoparasites = parasites that live on the outside of host some protozoa = both endoparasite and ectoparasite
47
importance of parasitology to infection, prevention and control
Understanding that parasites are often transmitted by vectors informs vector control e.g. nets Knowing that parasites can be transmitted by food and water informs sanitation
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