microbes

a microorganism, especially a bacterium causing disease or fermentation.

germ theory

The idea that disease was caused by the spread of living organisms that could be controlled.

benefits of microbes

microbes are crucial for digestion, nutrient absorption, and protection against pathogens

anaerobes

only grow in the absence of oxygen they grow in the presence of carbon dioxide by using a gas pak or McIntosh jar

facultative anaerobe

can grow and produce energy in the presence and absence of oxygen by switching between aerobic respiration and anaerobic respiration

microaerophilic

require oxygen to grow but only small amounts of it the candle jar is perfect for them

capnophilic

grow best in elevated carbon dioxide levels typically 5-10%

binary fission

asexual reproduction process in which a single cell duplicated its DNA and splits into two genetically identical daughter cells

pathogen

a bacterium, virus, or other microorganism that can cause disease

classification of microbes

Bacteria, Archaea, Eukarya

culture techniques

streaking plate, broth culture, slant culture, deep culture, and lawn technique

gas requirments

anaerobes- 5-10% co2 aerobes- oxygen facultative anaerobic- 5-10% c02 but can survive w or w/o oxygen microaerophilic- 5-10% Co2 and 5-10% oxygen capnophilic- 5-10% c02 & low oxygen

biofilms

Colonies of microorganisms that adhere to environmental surfaces, as well as the human body.

quorum sensing

Communicate and cooperate in the formation and function of biofilms

lag phase

A short period of time **prior to exponential growth of a bacterial population during which no, or very limited, cell division occurs.

log phase

The period of exponential growth of bacterial population.

stationary phase

period of equilibrium; microbial deaths balance production of new cells

death phase

cell death exceeds new cell formation

endospores

Bacillus and Clostridium

Joseph Lister

English surgeon who was the first to use antiseptics (1827-1912)

edward jenner

Developed a vaccine for smallpox in 1796

alexander fleming

Discovered penicillin in 1928

robert koch

Father of microbiology

louis pasture

was first to suggest that germs cause disease - proved that there were germs in the air- he showed that sterilized water in a closed flask stayed sterile, while sterilized water in an open flask bred germs and pasteurization

Anton van Leeuwenhoek

Invented the microscope

Eukaryotes

organisms made up of one or more cells that have a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles

Prokaryotes

Single-celled organisms without a nucleus.

commensals

organisms that live together in close association and may or may not benefit each other

normal microflora

organisms that live on or in the body but do not cause disease

primary pathogen

a microbe able to cause disease in an otherwise healthy individual

Opportunistic pathogens

normal microbiota that cause disease under certain circumstances

characteristics of a successful pathogen

host attachment, immune avoidance, nutrient acquisition

incubation period

interval between initial infection and first signs and symptoms

prodromal period

short period after incubation; early, mild symptoms

illness

state of being sick

recovery

bacteria is being killed off and you start to feel normal again

nosocomial infections

hospital acquired infections

cytoplasm

A jellylike fluid inside the cell in which the organelles are suspended

plasmid

small, circular piece of DNA located in the cytoplasm of many bacteria

nucleic acids

DNA and RNA

cell membrane

thin, flexible barrier around a cell; regulates what enters and leaves the cell

capsule

A sticky layer that surrounds the cell walls of some bacteria, protecting the cell surface and sometimes helping to glue the cell to surfaces.

flagella

whiplike tails found in one-celled organisms to aid in movement

pili

Appendages that allow bacteria to attach to each other and to transfer DNA

fimbriae

attachment structures on the surface of some prokaryotes

sex pilus

A thin connection between two bacteria through which genetic material passes during conjugation.

endotoxin

A normal component of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria. Endotoxins produce extreme immune reactions (septic shock), particularly when many of them enter the circulation at once.

exotoxin

A toxic protein that is secreted by a prokaryote or other pathogen and that produces specific symptoms, even if the pathogen is no longer present.

thermophiles

heat loving microbes

psychophiles

cold-loving microbes

mesophiles

moderate temperature loving microbes

mordant

chemical used to hold down stain onto the slide