Microbial Structure
What is the function of the cell wall in bacteria?
Protection and to stick to things
What is the lag phase in bacterial growth?
the initial period when bacteria are introduced to a new environment and are not actively dividing
What is the role of White blood cells
actively searching for and destroying foreign invaders like bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi
What is the major difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?
Prokaryotic cells lack a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles, while eukaryotic cells have a well-defined nucleus and various membrane-bound organelles within their cytoplasm
What is a pathogen?
a microorganism or other biological agent that can cause disease in a host organism
Describe the function of pili in bacteria
attachment structures, allowing bacteria to adhere to surfaces or other cells, including host tissue
What is the difference between aerobic and anaerobic growth?
Aerobic growth refers to the growth of microorganisms in the presence of oxygen, while anaerobic growth describes the growth of organisms that can survive and thrive without oxygen
what are antigens
substances that trigger an immune response in the body
Name one structural difference between prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
prokaryotes lack a nucleus
what is the purpose of using a gram stain
it allows microbiologists to differentiate bacteria into two major groups based on their cell wall structure: Gram-positive and Gram-negative, which helps guide the diagnosis of infections and selection of appropriate antibiotics to treat them
What is a capsule in bacteria and what is its purpose?
Protection, made of polysaccharides and protects against environmental threats and immune threats
What is binary fission?
a type of asexual reproduction where a single cell divides into two identical daughter cells, with each new cell receiving a complete copy of the parent cell's genetic material
What are antibodies, and how do they help in immunity?
proteins that protect you when an unwanted substance enters your body
Name an organelle found in eukaryotes but not prokaryotes.
nucleus
Name one disease caused by a bacterium.
Strep throat is caused by streptococcus
What are endospores and why do some bacteria form them?
highly resistant, dormant structures produced by certain bacteria, like Bacillus and Clostridium, as a survival mechanism to endure extreme environmental conditions such as heat, radiation, desiccation, and nutrient deprivation
What is the exponential growth phase of bacteria?
a stage in the bacterial growth curve where the population rapidly increases in number due to rapid cell division through binary fission
What is the difference between active and passive immunity?
active immunity is a long-lasting protection gained through the body's own immune response, while passive immunity is a short-lived protection obtained from external sources of antibodies
What type of cell division occurs in prokaryotes?
binary fission
Name a virus that is considered pathogenic.
HIV, HBV, influenza
What is the function of the flagella in bacteria?
Helps the cell move
How does temperature affect microbial growth?
influencing the activity of enzymes within the microbe
How do vaccines contribute to immunity?
stimulating the body's natural defenses to produce antibodies that identify and neutralize harmful bacteria or viruses
Describe the process of mitosis in eukaryotes.
the nucleus divides into two identical daughter nuclei, resulting in the creation of two genetically identical daughter cells, by separating replicated chromosomes and distributing them evenly to opposite poles of the cell through distinct stages called prophase, prometaphase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase; this is followed by cytokinesis, which is the division of the cell cytoplasm to produce two separate daughter cells
What is a zoonotic pathogen?
a germ that causes a zoonotic disease, which is an infectious disease that spreads from animals to humans