Microscopy & Staining
This type of microscope uses visible light to magnify specimens up to 1000x.
What is a light microscope?
This viral infection is known for causing itchy red spots in children and is caused by the varicella-zoster virus.
What is chickenpox?
This type of bacteria helps convert atmospheric nitrogen into a form plants can use.
What is Rhizobium?
The part of a bacterium that usually contains genes for antibiotic resistance.
What are plasmids?
Microbes that live in extreme environments, such as deep-sea hydrothermal vents, are called this.
What are extremophiles?
This type of stain differentiates bacteria based on their cell wall structure, classifying them as Gram-positive or Gram-negative.
What is a Gram stain?
The virus that caused a modern global pandemic and is characterized for targeting the respiratory system.
What is coronavirus?
Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a species of this microorganism used in bread and beer production.
What is yeast?
Overuse of antibiotics can lead to this serious public health concern.
What is antibiotic resistance?
This type of symbiotic relationship benefits both the microbe and the host.
What is mutualism?
This high-resolution microscope uses electron beams to visualize the surface of microbes in 3D.
What is a scanning electron microscope (SEM)?
This virus can cause paralysis and was nearly eradicated through global vaccination efforts.
What is poliovirus?
These "good" bacteria help maintain gut health and are found in foods like yogurt.
What are probiotics?
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is resistant to many common antibiotics and is commonly found in this setting.
What is a hospital?
The gut microbiome refers to the community of microbes living in this part of the human body.
What is the intestine (or digestive tract)?
This special type of staining technique is used to detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
What is acid-fast staining?
The rabies virus is most commonly transmitted to humans through this type of animal bite.
What is a mammal (e.g., dog, bat, raccoon)?
This process uses bacteria to break down pollutants in the environment, such as oil spills.
What is bioremediation?
What is an antibiotic cocktail?
These marine microorganisms contribute about 50% of the world's oxygen through photosynthesis.
What are cyanobacteria?
This part of the microscope adjusts the amount of light passing through the specimen.
What is the diaphragm?
The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) attacks this specific type of immune cell.
What are T-helper cells?
The byproducts of fermentation that allow dough to rise.
Bacteria can transfer antibiotic resistance genes to each other through this process.
What is horizontal gene transfer?
Bacteria that break down dead organisms and recycle nutrients back into the ecosystem are called this.
What are decomposers?