1 Introduction to Microbiology Free Online FlashCards

What does microbiology study?

Microbiology studies microorganisms and how they interact with one another, their hosts, and the environment.

What defines bacteria as prokaryotes?

Bacteria are single-celled prokaryotes: their DNA is not enclosed in a nucleus. Most have cell walls containing peptidoglycan.

How do archaea differ from bacteria?

Archaea are single-celled prokaryotes distinct from bacteria in their evolutionary history and in features of their cell walls, membranes, and genetics.

How do yeasts and molds differ?

Yeasts are usually single-celled fungi, while molds grow as networks of filaments.

What kinds of organisms are included among protists?

Protists are a diverse, informal group of eukaryotes that includes protozoa and many algae. Some photosynthesize; others consume organic material or live as parasites.

How do viruses reproduce?

Viruses are acellular infectious agents with genetic material in a protein coat. They reproduce only by using a host cell’s machinery.

When are helminths studied in microbiology?

Helminths are parasitic worms studied in microbiology when their eggs or larvae are microscopic or when they cause infectious disease.

What did Antonie van Leeuwenhoek contribute to microbiology?

In the 1670s, he described tiny organisms seen in water using a microscope of his own design.

What two contributions did Louis Pasteur make?

Louis Pasteur showed that microorganisms drive fermentation and developed pasteurization to reduce spoilage.

What did Robert Koch establish about microbes and disease?

Robert Koch provided evidence linking particular microbes to specific diseases, including anthrax and tuberculosis.

What is the human microbiome, and what are two ways it can help?

The human microbiome is the collection of microbial communities living on and inside people. These communities can help digest food, support immune development, and hinder pathogens.

Why can the same microbe be harmless in one setting but harmful in another?

A microbe that is harmless in one setting may cause illness in another; its effects depend on the organism, its location, and its interactions with the host.