Horizonal Gene Transfer
The process where bacteriophages carry host DNA from one bacterial cell to another.
What is transduction?
This part of the respiratory system is considered sterile despite heavy colonization above it.
What is the lower respiratory tract?
This measurement reflects the number of organisms required to kill 50% of hosts.
What is LD50?
These potent antigen‑presenting cells initiate and modulate T‑cell responses.
What are dendritic cells?
This term describes the number of new cases of a disease in a given time period.
What is incidence?
This specific feature of the F plasmid allows it to behave as an episome and integrate into the chromosome.
What are insertion sequences (IS elements)?
These immune structures develop in response to microbial colonization of the gut and help shape long‑term immune function.
What is MALT (mucosa‑associated lymphoid tissue)?
This toxin type activates large numbers of T‑cells, causing a cytokine storm.
What is a superantigen?
LPS and LTA are examples of these fever‑inducing microbial molecules.
What are exogenous pyrogens?
This type of infection persists long‑term with minimal harm to the host.
What is a chronic infection?
Hfr × F⁻ matings rarely produce F⁺ recipients because this event must occur before the mating pair separates.
What is complete transfer of the entire chromosome (including the full F plasmid sequence)?
This protective matrix of polysaccharides, proteins, and DNA surrounds microbial communities on surfaces.
What is EPS (extracellular polymeric substance)?
Cholera toxin disrupts this type of host signaling pathway by increasing cAMP.
What are second‑messenger pathways?
These two complement fragments promote inflammation.
What are C3a and C5a?
This MHC class presents cytoplasmic proteins, including viral and intracellular bacterial peptides.
What is MHC I?
This specific region of the F plasmid determines the direction in which chromosomal genes are transferred during Hfr conjugation.
What is oriT?
This type of pathogen normally causes no harm but becomes dangerous when introduced to a new site or when the host is compromised.
What is an opportunistic pathogen?
This exotoxin category causes host cell membrane leakage, as seen with S. aureus α‑toxin.
What are cytolytic toxins?
This antibody class is produced first during a primary immune response.
What is IgM?
This process expands the number of T‑cells that recognize a specific antigen.
What is clonal expansion?
These genes encode the mating apparatus required for conjugation and are typically located on the same plasmid as oriT.
What are tra genes?
This communication process within biofilms allows bacteria to coordinate gene expression once a population threshold is reached.
What is quorum sensing?
This process describes the loss of virulence due to mutation or deletion of virulence genes.
What is attenuation?
Which antibody can cross the placenta?
What is IgG antibody?
This concept describes the steps by which infection spreads and can be interrupted at each stage.
What is the chain of infection?