Shared Flashcard Set

Details

Microbiology midterm 1
m122 midterm 1
83
Biology
Undergraduate 3
04/16/2008

Additional Biology Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
Microbiology
Definition
  • Study of microorganisms (or microbes)
Term
Microorganisms (or Microbes)
Definition
  • Organisms and agents too small to be clearly seen by the unaided eye.
  • Include bacteria, archaea, protozoa, algae, fungi and viruses.
Term
Microorganisms relationship to humans
Definition
Pathogens:
Disease-causing microbes
e.g.   Streptococcus - “Strep Throat”
         Influenza virus - “Flu”
 
Normal flora:
Microbes found in/on healthy individuals
e.g. E. coli – in intestine
Staphylococcus – on skin
 
Term
Bacteria that belongs to group legumes
Definition
A bacteria that belongs to the group legumes is the only one that can convert essential nitrogen that can be used by animals and plants.  Animals and plants cannot convert N2 to a useable form of nitrogen without bacteria
Term
Antony von Leeuwenhoek
Definition
  • First person to describe microorganism accurately
  • Made simple lenses
    Magnifications: 50 – 300 x
  • Observed bacteria, protozoa
Term
Robert Hooke
Definition
  • First person to publish the depiction of a microorganism
  • Described the fruiting structure of molds in 1665 (~20 years before Leeuwenhoek)
Term
Spontaneous Generation
Definition
  • Life arises spontaneously from non-living matter
  • Aristotle (384-322 B.C.) thought some simpler invertebrates could arise from spontaneous generation
 
Term
Biogenesis
Definition
  • Life arises from pre-existing life
Term
Francesco Redi
Definition
  • Biogenesis of large organisms was proven by francesco Redi
  • Meat were placed in (1) open jars, (2) jars covered with    paper, and (3) jars covered with gauze.
  • (1) Maggots were produced on meat in the open jars.
    (2) Maggots were not produced in the paper-covered jars.
    (3) Eggs and maggots were visible in the gauze, but not   on meat.
  • Concludes that 
    maggots were formed on meat only when flies were present, because flies carried eggs of maggots.
Term
Luis Pasteur
Definition
  • Proved biogenesis of microorganisms with swan neck flasks
Term
Germ Theory
Definition
Disease is caused by microorganisms (germs)
Term
Robert Koch
Definition
  • Demonstarted the relationship between bacteria and diseases.
  • Established relationship between Bacillus anthracis and anthrax
  • Scientific method to prove causation of disease
    Developed pure culture methods:
    - growth (of bacteria) on solid media
    - isolation of pure cultures
Term
Koch's postulates
Definition
1. The suspected pathogenic organism should be present in all cases of the disease and absent from healthy animals
2. The suspected organism should be grown in pure culture
Only one type of organism should be present
3. Inject pure culture à healthy host animal
Experimental animals develop same signs and symptoms as original diseased animal
4. The organism should be re-isolated and shown to be the same as the original
 
Term
 Cell
Definition
Cells are physically separated from each other and from the outside environment by a cell membrane and in some cases a cell wall
Term
Basic properties of cells
Definition
  • Metabolism
  • Reproduction
  • Differentiation
  • Communication
  • Movement
  • Evolution
Term
Prokaryotes
Definition
Characteristics:
Single cells
Lack nucleus
70 S Ribosomes
Size: 1-10 mm
 
1. Bacteria
2. Archaea
 
Term
Bacteria Prokaryotes
Definition
Characteristics:
Simple shapes:
round, rod, spiral
Cell walls:
peptidoglycan
Term
Archaea Prokaryotes
Definition
Characteristics:
  Cell wall:  more complex than bacteria
(emphasis)
 Found in extreme environments:
- High temperature (above boiling point)
- High pressure (in deep ocean)
- High salt (in salt lake)
Archaea are so different from bacteria that they have been re-classified as a separate domain a few years ago.
Archaea can do photosynthesis without sunlight
 
Term
Streptomyces thermoautotrophicus
Definition

N2 fixation

Found in burning charcoal piles 

Term
Eukaryotes
Definition
Characteristics:
Single-celled or multi-   cellular
Have a true nucleus
80 S Ribosomes
Size:  10 – 100 mm
Term
Eukaryotes: Protozoa
Definition
Characteristics:
Single-celled
No cell walls
Motile
Aquatic environments
Part of food chain
Some are pathogens
Term
Eukaryotes: Algae
Definition
Characteristics:
Single-celled or multicellular
Have cell walls
Photosynthetic
In soil, oceans, lakes
Some produce toxins
Term
Eukaryotes: Fungi
Definition
Characteristics:
Single-celled or multicellular
Have cell walls
No photosynthetic pigments
Nature’s “recyclers” (can detoxify a lot of toxins)
Some are pathogens
Term

Acellular Microorganisms:

Viruses 

Definition
Characteristics:
A Major class of microorganism
Not cellular
Made of nucleic acid + protein
Obligate intracellular parasites (cannot live by themselves, must depend on a host)
Term
Carl Woese
Definition
  • used rRNA sequencing to compare organisms   and led to the discovery of Archae
Term
Prokaryotic cell sizes
Definition
  • 1-10um
  • Nanobacteria less than 0.2um
  • E coli 2um
  • Epulopiscium fishelsoni size of hypen
  • Thimargarita namibiensis
     head of fruit fly 750um

  • Smallest bacteria about the size of largest virus
Term

Show prokaryotic cell shape of

  1. coccus
  2. bacillus
  3. spirillum
  4. spirochete
  5. stalk
  6. hypha
  7. filamentous 
Definition
slide 9 lecture 2
Term
Stalk
Definition
Contains cytoplasmic material that is devoid of ribosomes and DNA.
Function maybe in nutrient absorption.
 
If you allow Caulobacter crescentus
to grab onto the tip of a pipette and suck the budding area, you can lift the pipette tip up.
 
Term
Hypha
Definition

e.g. streptomyces (fungus like bacteria)

 

 

Supports & protects the cells.

 

Term
Spherical bacteria shapes cocci
Definition
Diplo – pairs
Staphylo – grape-like clusters
 Strepto – chain
Tetrads – groups of 4
Sarcinae – groups of 8 
Term
Spiral Bacteria shapes
Definition
Vibrios - curved rods
Spirilla - 2 or more twists
Spirochetes - corkscrew shaped
Term
Monomorphic
Pleomorphic
Definition
Monomorphic - single shape
Pleomorphic -  variable shape
Term
Plama membrane
Definition

Composed of:

 

 

  • Phospholipid bilayer (Phospolipids are structurally asymmetric polar & nonpolar end)
  • Membrane proteins (integral & peripheral protein)
  • Phospholipids - form bilayer
  • Hopanoids - embedded in bilayer Sterol-like (similar to cholesterol) Stabilize membrane
 
 

 

Term
Membrane proteins
Definition

Functions:

 

Nutrient uptake & Waste excretion
     e.g. glucose uptake
Metabolic processes
    e.g. photosynthesis, respiration
Signal transduction
    e.g. chemotaxis

 

 

Composed of:

 

  • Integral proteins embedded in membrane amphipathic proteins
  • Peripheral proteins loosely attached

 

Term
Plasma membrane functions
Definition
separation of cell from its environment
 
selectively permeable barrier

location of crucial metabolic processes
respiration, photosynthesis, synthesis of lipids and cell wall constituents
 
detection of and response to chemicals in surroundings with the aid of special receptor molecules in the membrane
 
Term
Mesosomes
Definition

Internal membrane system

(pinched off plasma membrane)

 

 

Mesosomes:
may be invaginations of the  plasma membrane
possible roles:
cell wall formation during cell division
chromosome replication and distribution
secretory processes
may be artifacts of chemical fixation process

 

Term
Cytoplasmic matrix
Definition
Substance between membrane and nucleoid
Primarily water (70%)
Thick and elastic
Packed with inclusion bodies and ribosomes
Highly organized with respect to protein location
Term
Inclusion Bodies
Definition
Structure:  made of organic or inorganic materials
Function:  nutrient & energy storage; others
Examples:
poly-b-hydroxybutyrate: phosphate storage and biodegradable plastics
gas vacuoles: provide buoyancy 
(Cyanobacterium)
magnetosome: iron containing, orientation in magnetic field, used to located oxygen concentration
Note:  may be visible in light microscope; used for identification purposes
Term
Plasmids
Definition
Extra-chromosomal DNA
Small, circular “mini-chromosomes”
Function: Extra genetic information
Not required for cell growth
May provide selective advantage (antibiotic resistance)
Plasmids can be transferred between bacteria via conjugation
Term
Cell wall
Definition
Provides characteristic shape to cell
Protects the cell from osmotic lysis
May also protect cell from toxic substances
Composed of peptidoglycan
Term
Peptidoglycan
Definition
Enormous polymer composed of many identical subunits

 

 

Glycan - sugars
N-acetyl-glucosamine (NAG)
N-acetyl-muramic acid (NAM)

 

 

Basic unit of peptidoglycan is formed by NAG and NAM
Alternating NAG/NAM form sugar chians
The cross-bridge between NAM’s tails link sugar chains together.

 

Term

Cell wall of bacteria divided into

Gram + 

Definition
Gram Positive (G+)
Thick layer of peptidoglycan
No outer lipid layer
Stain purple in Gram stain
Has Peptide interbridge
 
Contains teichoic acid
 -   Antigen in G+
      -   Provide negative charge
      -   Composed of : glycerol, phosphate,
    amino acids or Sugar
Lacks LPS (lipopolysaccharide)
Antibiotic susceptibility:
Penicillin sensitive
 
Flagella basal body composed of 2 rings 
Term

Cell wall of bacteria divided into

Gram -

Definition
Gram Negative (G-)
Thin layer of peptidoglycan
Has outer lipid layer
Stain red in Gram stain
 
More complex than G+ cell wall
Has thin layer of peptidoglycan
Lacks teichoic acid
Contains LPS (lipopolysaccharide)
- Antigen in G-
    - Provide negative charge
Antibiotic susceptibility:
Penicillin resistance
 
Outer membrane is a barrier to transport
Provide protection against:
antibiotics
digestive enzymes
Is more permeable than plasma membrane due to porin proteins (e.g. let glucose through)
 
Thicker periplasmic space 
 
Flagella basal body composed of 4 rings 
Term

LPS - Lipopolysaccharide 

 

Definition
Contains:
-Lipid A
-Core polysaccharide
-O-side chain
LPS functions:
-Give overall negative charge to cell surface
-Stabilizes membrane structure
-Can act as endotoxin
-
Term
Periplasmic space
Definition
Area between plasma membrane and outer membrane
Functions: peptidoglycan synthesis, nutrient acquisition & modification of toxic compounds (e.g. hydrolytic enzymes)
Term

Fimbrae/Pili

Definition

Prokaryotic structure

 

 

Short, hair-like structures
Only found in G-
Used for attachment (adhesion protein) à invasion, nutrient uptake
Not used for motility
Pili
Special type of fimbrae
May be used for DNA transfer

 

Term
Flagella arrangements
Definition
Monotrichous
One polar flagellum
 
Amphitrichous
One flagellum at each pole
 
Peritrichous
Flagella spread evenly over the whole surface
 
Lophotrichous
Cluster of flagella at one or both ends  


Term
Bacteria movement via flagella
Definition
“Runs” 
swims smoothly along
counter-clockwise rotation of flagella
“Tumbles” 
cell stops and tumbles by reversing the direction of flagella rotation
clockwise rotation of flagella
Term
Endospores
Definition
Definition:
       -  A “resting or dormant state” structure within bacterial cell.
Function:
Survival of adverse conditions
Can be “re-activated” in favorable environment (e.g. nutrient-rich environment)
Two reverse processes:
Sporulation = spore is formation under stress (starvation, heat, radiation, chemicals, desiccation)
       Germination = spore is transformed into a vegetative cell
Example organisms that form spores:
-  Bacillus, Clostridium
 
Position of spores can be used for identification
central spore
subterminal spore
terminal spore 
Term
Stages in transformation
Definition
(Re)activation
prepares spores for germination
often results from treatments like heating
Germination
spore swelling
rupture of absorption of spore coat
loss of resistance
increased metabolic activity
Outgrowth
emergence of vegetative cell
Term
Psychrophiles
Definition
Psychrophiles = cold-loving
Growth at 0-20 oC
Optimum: 15 oC or less
Found in polar habitats
 
Enzymes, transport systems and protein synthesis work well at low temperatures
Membranes contain high levels of unsa-turated fatty acids and remain semifluid
Term
Psychrotrophs
Definition
Psychrotrophs = facultative psychrophiles
Can grow at 0-7 oC
Optimum: 20-30 oC
Food spoilage organisms
Term
Thermophiles
 
What are the adaptations? 
Definition
Thermophiles = heat-loving
Prefer 55-65 oC or higher
Found in hot water lines, compost piles
 
Adaptations of thermophiles
 
Protein structure stabilized by a variety of means
e.g., more hydrogen bonds
e.g., more prolines
e.g., chaperones
DNA stabilized by histone-like proteins
Membrane stabilized by a variety of means
e.g., more saturated, more branched and higher molecular weight lipids
e.g., ether linkages (archaeal membranes)
Term
Hyperthermophiles
Definition
Hyperthermophiles = more heat-loving
Prefer 80-100 oC (or higher è140oC!)
Found in geothermal areas of ocean floor
Term
Mesophiles
Definition
Mesophiles = like moderate temperatures
Prefer 20-45 oC
Includes most human pathogens
Term
Neutrophiles
Definition
Neutrophiles (most bacteria)
     - Prefer neutral pHs (between pH 5.5-8.0)
Term
Acidophiles
Definition
Acidophiles
Prefer acidic pHs (less than pH 5.5)
Term
Alkalophiles
Definition
Alkalophiles
Prefer alkaline pHs (greater than 8.5)
Term
Adaptation of Acidophiles & Alkalophiles
Definition
most acidophiles and alkalophiles maintain an internal pH near neutrality
some use proton (H+)/ion exchange mechanisms to do so
some synthesize proteins that provide protection
e.g., acid-shock proteins (chaperones)
many microorganisms change pH of their habitat by producing acidic or basic waste products
most media contain buffers to prevent growth inhibition
Term

Osmotolerant organisms

 

Adaptations 

Definition
Can tolerate high [solute] outside cell
Solute = sugar, salt
e.g.  Staphylococcus aureus (halotolerant)
- found on human skin
- can grow up to 3 M salt
 
èMany use compatible solutes to increase
     their internal osmotic concentration
èSynthesis or uptake of solutes that are compatible with metabolism and growth
    (e.g. amino acids)
 
Term

Obligate aerobe

Facultative anaerobe

Microaerophile

Aerotolerant anaerobe

Obligate anaerobe

Definition
Obligate aerobe
requires oxygen; cannot live without oxygen
Facultative anaerobe
lives with or without oxygen; prefers oxygen
Microaerophile
requires oxygen in reduced concentration
O2 concentration = 2-10%
Aerotolerant anaerobe
does not require oxygen
but, is not harmed by oxygen
Obligate anaerobe
cannot use and detoxify oxygen
and, is killed by oxygen (i.e. oxygen
   is toxic)
 
Term
Toxic effects of oxygen
Definition
Oxygen in the cell is readily reduced by electrons, resulting in the formation of toxic (and extremely reactive) products, such as superoxide radicals and hydrogen peroxide, which damage macromolecules in cells.
Superoxide radical
O2 + e-  è O2-•
Hydrogen peroxide
O2-• + e- + 2 H+ è H2O2
Term
How oxygen is detoxified
Definition
Superoxide dismutase (SOD)
Removes superoxide radicals
Reaction:   2 O2-• + 2 H+ à H2O2 + O2
Catalase and Peroxidase
Removes hydrogen peroxide
Catalase reaction:  2 H2O2 à 2 H2O + O2
Peroxidase reaction: H2O2 + 2 H+ à 2 H2O
Term
Macroelements
Definition
required in relatively large amounts
over 95% of microbial cell dry weight is composed of these elements
 
     C, O, H, N, S, P
components of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids
Heterotroph Carbon derived from living organisms
Autotrophs Carbon derived from nonliving organisms
oxygen and hydrogen obtains from organic compounds or water 
K, Ca, Mg, Fe (cations)
K: required for activity of enzymes, some involved in      protein synthesis
Ca: contributes to the heat resistance of endospores
Mg: serves as cofactor for many enzymes, stabilizes         ribosomes and cell membranes
Fe: part of the cytochromes, a cofactor for enzymes           and electron-carrying proteins

Term
Trace elements
Definition
Trace elements (micronutrients)
Mn, Zn, Co, Mo, Ni, Cu
required in trace (very small) amounts
ubiquitous à can be obtained from water, glassware and regular medium for growth
important for cell growth despite low concentration
Term
Growth factors
Definition
Organic Growth Factors
   - organic compounds
   - essential cell components (or their pre- cursors) that the cell cannot synthesize because of the lack of synthetic enzymes
   - must be supplied by environment if cell
     is to survive and reproduce
 
Amino acids
needed for protein synthesis
Purines and Pyrimidines
needed for nucleic acid synthesis
Vitamins
function as enzyme cofactors
only a small amount is required to sustain growth
 
Term
Batch Culture
Definition
  Bacteria are incubated in a closed culture vessel with a single batch of medium where no fresh medium is introduced

 

 

  Nutrient concentration declines
   Waste concentration increases

 

Term

Bacteria growth in a closed system

 

Lag phase 

Definition
Lag phase:
    - Following transfer to new media
    - Adjustment period (i.e. old cells,    injured cells, different medium)
    - Very slow growth
    - Cells eventually re-tool, replicate DNA, increase in size, and finally divide
Term

Bacteria growth in a closed system

 

Exponential phase

Definition
Exponential phase:
       - sufficient nutrients & optimal genetic potential
- Exponential growth phase
- Rapid growth at constant rate
- Shortest generation time possible
 
Nt = No (2n)
 
Term

Bacteria growth in a closed system

 

Stationary phase

Definition
Stationary phase:
-Nutrients are limited
-Oxygen is limited (e.g.aerobes)
-Accumulation of toxic waste   (e.g.Streptococci à lactic acid)
-Critical population is reached
-Cell growth slows down
-#living cells = #dying cells
Term

Bacteria growth in a closed system

 

Death phase

Definition
Decline (death) phase:
  - Nutrient depletion & waste accumulation
  - Irreversible loss of ability to reproduce    
  - Number of living cells declines
Term
Counting chambers as measurement of bacteria growth
Definition
“determination of microbial number through direct counting”
 
- easy, inexpensive, and quick
-useful for counting both eukaryotes and prokaryotes
- cannot distinguish living from dead cells
Term
Plating method measurement of bacteria growth
Definition
Dilute bacterial sample

 

 

 

Plate Samples è
Each microorganism develops into one colony

 

Term
membrane filtration as measurement of bacteria growth
Definition
filter colonies out of water and view bacteria colonies on filter
Term
Measurement of Bacterial Growth
- Turbidimetric Measurement -
Definition
more cells in test tube

more cell mass in test tube

more light
scattered

less light
detected
Term
Total cell count and variable cell count
Definition
Total Cell Count
turbidity or microscope count
doesn’t distinguish live & dead cells
Viable Cell Count
plate count or membrane filtration
only live (viable) cells grow
Term
Chemically defined media and complex media
Definition
Chemically defined media - 
   the precise composition is known
Complex media –
   the precise composition is not known
Term
Some media components
Definition
peptones
protein hydrolysates prepared by partial digestion of various protein sources
extracts
aqueous extracts, usually of beef or yeast
agar
sulfated polysaccharide used to solidify liquid media
Term
Selective media
Definition
Selective media
agents added that inhibit certain microbes
e.g. “Brilliant green agar”
 Dye inhibits G+ bacteria; used to grow  G- bacteria selectively
Term
Brilliant green agar
Definition
Dye inhibits G+ bacteria; used to grow  G- bacteria selectively
Term
Differential media
Definition
Differential media
agents added that differentiate between microbes
e.g.  “Blood agar”
Blood cells are lysed only by pathogenic bacteria, such as Streptococcus
secretes “hemolysins” (exozyme)
Term
Blood agar
Definition
Blood cells are lysed only by pathogenic bacteria, such as Streptococcus
 
differential media 
Term
MacConkey agar
Definition
(1) Dye - inhibits G+ bacteria; allows growth  of G-
           (2) Lactose - detects lactose fermentation        (pink colonies)
Supporting users have an ad free experience!