Biochemistry Chapter 8

The sum of all chemical reactions in a living organism that are necessary to maintain life.

The process of building up complex molecules from simpler ones, requiring energy.

The process of breaking down complex molecules into simpler ones, releasing energy.

Biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions without being consumed in the process.

Non-protein molecules that assist enzymes in their function.

Organic cofactors that work in conjunction with enzymes, often derived from vitamins.

The process where an enzyme loses its shape and function due to changes in its environment.

Enzymes present in a cell in constant amounts, their levels don't change with substrate availability.

The process of breaking down fatty acids into acetyl CoA molecules, which can then enter the Krebs cycle for energy production.

The removal of an amino group from an amino acid molecule, typically converting it to ammonia and a keto acid.

Essential elements that all living organisms require for survival and growth.

A substance an organism cannot produce on its own and must obtain from its environment.

Nutrients required in large quantities, essential for cell structure and metabolism.

Nutrients required in small quantities, involved in enzyme function and maintaining protein structure.

An organism that obtains its carbon from organic sources, like consuming other organisms.

The temperature at which a microbe grows and metabolizes at the fastest rate.

Microbes that thrive in cold environments, with an optimal temperature below 15°C.

Microbes that prefer moderate temperatures, with an optimal temperature between 20°C and 40°C.

A microbe that absolutely requires oxygen for growth and metabolism.

A microbe that can grow in the presence or absence of oxygen, but prefers oxygen for metabolism.

The process of asexual reproduction where one bacterial cell divides into two identical daughter cells.

The time it takes for a bacterial population to double in size.

The initial phase of bacterial growth in a new environment, where cells adjust and prepare for rapid growth.

A stage in microbial growth where the number of new cells produced equals the number of cells dying, resulting in a stable population size.

The final stage of microbial growth where the number of dying cells exceeds the number of new cells, leading to a decline in population.

A method of counting microbes directly under a microscope, using a special counting chamber.

An electronic device that counts microbes by detecting changes in electrical resistance as cells pass through a tiny opening.

A sophisticated instrument like a Coulter counter, but it can differentiate between live and dead cells and measure them.

The process of completely eliminating all viable microorganisms, including viruses and bacterial spores.

A state where microbial growth is temporarily halted but the microbes are not killed.

The process of killing or inactivating most disease-causing microorganisms, but not bacterial endospores.

The shortest time required to kill all microbes in a sample at a specific temperature.

The lowest temperature required to kill all microbes in a sample within 10 minutes.

A heat treatment that kills pathogens and spoilage microbes in liquids without significantly altering their flavor or nutritional content.

Using radiant energy to disinfect or sterilize materials.

Radiation that ejects electrons from atoms, creating ions.

Radiation that excites atoms without ionizing them, like UV light.

A method of removing microbes from air or liquids by passing them through a fine filter.

Alcohol inactivates enveloped viruses more effectively due to its surfactant effect on the envelope.

An enzyme used by retroviruses, like HIV, to convert their RNA genome into DNA, allowing them to integrate into the host cell's genome.

A glycoprotein produced by cells in response to viral infection or other immune stimuli, helping to defend against pathogens.

The ability of microorganisms to tolerate previously effective antimicrobial drugs, often due to mutations or acquisition of resistance genes.

Proteins found in some bacteria that actively pump out antibiotics and other harmful substances, contributing to drug resistance.

Complex communities of microorganisms embedded in a protective matrix, often found on surfaces and contributing to antibiotic resistance.

A new infection that emerges during antimicrobial therapy, often caused by drug-resistant microbes overgrowing after the original infection is suppressed.

An agar diffusion test used to assess the susceptibility of bacteria to antimicrobial drugs, by measuring the zone of inhibition around antibiotic discs.

The lowest concentration of an antimicrobial drug that inhibits the visible growth of a microorganism.