Basic
What does microbiology mean?
Microbiology is the study of life too small to be seen with the naked eye.
Who was the first person to observe microorganisms?
Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek
What is a microbial culture?
The growth of microorganisms in a controlled environment.
What are the FIVE “I”s?
Inoculation, Isolation, Incubation, Inspection, Identification.
What is colony morphology?
The visible characteristics of microbial colonies(shape, size, color, etc.)
Name FOUR types of microorganisms studied in microbiology.
Bacteria, Protozoa, Algae & Fungi.
What was spontaneous Generation?
The belief that life arises from non-living matter.
Name the three physical forms of culture media.
Liquid(broth), solid(agar), semisolid
What happens during Inoculation?
Microorganisms are introduced into a growth medium using aseptic technique.
Name TWO characteristics used to describe a colony.
Shape, Size, Color, Texture, Opacity.
What are the two main themes in microbiology?
Basic(cellular processes) & Applied(agriculture, industry, health)
Which scientists disproved spontaneous generation using Swan-neck flasks?
Louis Pasteur
What is the purpose of agar in culture media?
To provide a solid surface for microbial growth.
What is isolation in microbiology?
Separating a single species to obtain a pure culture.
What is serologic identification?
Identifying microorganisms by detecting specific antibodies in blood.
What percentage of microorganisms are pathogenic?
About 3%
What is the germ theory of disease?
Microorganisms cause disease and can be transmitted between individuals.
What is the difference between simple media and special media?
Simple media grow non-fastidious bacteria; Special media support fastidious organisms.
What is the purpose of incubation?
To allow microorganisms to grow under optimal conditions.
What is the purpose of culturing microorganisms?
Isolation, counting, testing antibiotics and maintaining cultures.
Explain Microbial Antagonism.
Normal microbiota prevents harmful pathogen from colonizing the body.
What are Koch’s postulates used for?
To prove that a specific microorganism causes a specific disease.
Why is MacConkey agar important?
It is a differential medium used to grow and distinguish Gram-negative bacteria.
What happens during identification?
Data from tests and observations are used to determine the organism’s species.
Why is identification of microorganisms important in disease outbreaks?
It helps track, control, and prevent the spread of specific strains.