Microbio Final

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What are contaminants?

Substances that pollute or make something impure (correct)

Elements that enhance the quality of something

Essential nutrients for growth

Natural resources that are renewable

What are the three general methods used in the decontamination process?

General cleaning, sterilization, disinfection (correct)

Filtration, sedimentation, decantation

Evaporation, condensation, sublimation

Heating, cooling, mixing

Are all contaminants equally susceptible to physical and chemical means of decontamination?

False

How do sterilization and disinfection differ?

Sterilization eliminates all forms of microbial life, while disinfection reduces the number of pathogenic microorganisms to a safe level. Signup and view all the answers

Can something be almost sterile? Explain.

Yes, something can be almost sterile if it is free from most, but not all, microorganisms. It can be considered "almost sterile" because achieving absolute sterility is nearly impossible; even with rigorous cleaning methods, a very small number of microbes might still remain. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between a -cidal agent and a -static agent?

-cidal agents kill microorganisms, while -static agents inhibit their growth without killing them. Signup and view all the answers

If you take bacteriostatic antibiotics for an infection, what will happen when you stop taking the antibiotic?

The infection may relapse or worsen. Signup and view all the answers

What is disinfectant primarily used on, and what are some examples?

Surfaces; Bleach and Alcohol Signup and view all the answers

What is an antiseptic used for, and what are some examples?

Used on skin and includes alcohol and hydrogen peroxide Signup and view all the answers

Your bathroom in a public restroom may say "sanitized for your protection." Is sanitization the same as sterilization?

False Signup and view all the answers

When is a microbe considered dead?

When it no longer exhibits metabolic activity Signup and view all the answers

How do the number of organisms and their state of growth (spores vs vegetative cells) affect microbial death rate?

Vegetative cells are typically more susceptible to death than spores. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between physical and chemical methods of microbial control?

Physical methods use heat or radiation, while chemical methods use disinfectants. Signup and view all the answers

How does a chemical agent's concentration affect the microbial death rate?

Higher concentration leads to a faster death rate Signup and view all the answers

What are the four major cellular targets for antimicrobial agents?

Cell wall synthesis, Protein synthesis, Nucleic acid synthesis, cell membrane Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following agents specifically target bacterial cell walls?

Penicillin Signup and view all the answers

How do surfactants work?

They decrease surface tension by reducing intermolecular forces. Signup and view all the answers

How many proteins can be denatured?

All proteins can be denatured Signup and view all the answers

Which is more effective for sterilization, moist heat or dry heat?

Moist heat Signup and view all the answers

Microbio Final

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