Microbiology Basics
These are living organisms too small to be seen without magnification.
What are microorganisms?
This type of cell lacks a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.
What is a prokaryotic cell?
Viruses are best described as __________ (cellular or acellular?).
What is acellular?
This structure provides shape and protection and contains peptidoglycan.
What is the cell wall?
The Gram stain is classified as this type of stain.
What is a differential stain?
The first of the Five I’s of microbiology
What is inoculation?
Microbes that break down dead organic matter and are usually nonpathogenic.
What are decomposers (saprobes)?
The region where prokaryotic DNA is found.
What is the nucleoid?
The protein coat surrounding viral genetic material.
What is a capsid?
Appendages primarily used for bacterial attachment.
What are fimbriae?
Gram-positive bacteria stain this color due to thick peptidoglycan.
What is purple?
This type of growth medium allows some microbes to grow while inhibiting others using chemicals such as bile salts or antibiotics.
⭐️ What is selective media?
Microorganisms that cause disease in a host.
What are pathogens?
These ribosomes are found in bacteria and are targeted by antibiotics.
What are 70S ribosomes?
Correct order: adsorption → ___ → synthesis → assembly → release
What is penetration/uncoating?
The appendage responsible for bacterial motility.
What is a flagellum?
This property of microscopes depends on the wavelength of illumination and determines how well two close objects can be distinguished.
⭐️ What is resolving power (resolution)?
This solidifying agent is not degraded by most microbes.
What is agar?
Energy-producing microbes that metabolize sugars anaerobically
What are fermenters?
Name one structure present in eukaryotic cells but absent in prokaryotes.
What is a nucleus? (or mitochondria, ER, lysosomes)
This viral cycle integrates viral DNA into the host genome without killing the cell immediately.
What is lysogeny?
This bacterial structure enhances survival in extreme conditions and is especially common in Bacillus and Clostridium species
⭐️ What is an endospore?
This microscope uses electrons and has a resolution limit of ~0.2 nm.
What is an electron microscope?
Media with an exact known chemical composition.
What is chemically defined media?
This process involves separating individual bacterial cells to obtain a pure culture.
⭐️ What is isolation?
This theory explains how mitochondria and chloroplasts originated from bacteria.
What is the endosymbiotic theory?
In this type of viral infection, the virus remains dormant in the host cell and may reactivate later.
⭐️ What is a latent infection?
This outer membrane component of Gram-negative bacteria contributes to pathogenicity.
What is lipopolysaccharide (LPS)?
The staining technique used to diagnose tuberculosis.
What is an acid-fast stain?
The universal energy currency of the cell.
What is ATP?