Terms
Microbiology
The study of living things that are too small to be seen without magnfication
Aerobic
Requiring oxygen to survive
Bacteriologist
Studies prokaryotic organisms
Symbiosis
Two different species living and interacting together in a close, prolonged association
What are the 5 types of microbes talked about in lecture?
Bacteria, fungi, protozoa, viruses, prions
Zone of inhibition
The area without bacterial growth that surrounds an antibiotic-filled disk that occurs during antibiotic sensitivity testing
Prokaryote
Simple, unicellular organism that lacks membrane-bound organelles and distinctive nucleus
Virologist
Studies non-cellular organisms that act as parasites
Host
A plant or animal that a parasitic or commensal organism lives on or in; an organism that provides nourishment and/or shelter for a parasite
How long have microbes lived on earth?
3.5 billion years
Cultivating
Growing microorganisms in a culture
Morphology
The study of the structure of an organism
Parasitologist
Studies pathogenic protozoa, helminthes, worms and insects
Mutualism
A necessary relationship for survival in which both organisms benefit
Why are microbes essential for the survival of ecosystems?
They decompose and recycle nutrients
Ubiquitous
Present, appearing, or found everywhere
Gram-positive
Retain crystal-violet (gram) stain due to the high content of peptidoglycan content in their cell wall
Mycologist
Studies fungi
Parasitism
A symbiotic relationship that causes harm to the host while the other organism benefits
How do you collect a sample for dermatophyte diagnostic testing?
Prevent contamination, collect along margin of lesion, skin scraping (use a scalpel to scrape the superficial layer of the skin) or a fungal culture (most accurate test for ringworm, pluck defective hair in lesion, if asymptomatic brush the hair to collect sample)
Inoculation
The placement of microorganisms into or upon a culture medium
Asexual Reproduction
Reproduction without the formation and fusion of gametes
Immunologist
Studies the effects of vaccinations, blood testing and allergies in response to infection
Commensalism
A symbiotic relationship that is unequal because one species benefits while not harming the other
If a sample is suspected of being a fungus and is grown on a specific agar DTM, what would indicate a positive fungus diagnosis?
The agar will turn yellow to red.