Podcast
Questions and Answers
What are the two main modes of reproduction in molds?
What are the two main modes of reproduction in molds?
Molds reproduce sexually through zygospores and asexually through sporangiospores.
What characterizes the hyphae of fungi?
What characterizes the hyphae of fungi?
Hyphae are long branching cellular structures that can form an extensive mycelium network.
In what way do thermal dimorphic fungi differ in their growth conditions?
In what way do thermal dimorphic fungi differ in their growth conditions?
Thermal dimorphic fungi grow as molds at room temperature and as yeast at 37 degrees Celsius.
How does the presence of E. coli in urine samples indicate a UTI?
How does the presence of E. coli in urine samples indicate a UTI?
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What type of agar is used for throat cultures and why?
What type of agar is used for throat cultures and why?
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What distinguishes opportunistic infections in fungi?
What distinguishes opportunistic infections in fungi?
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What is the purpose of the GasPak System in culturing anaerobic pathogens?
What is the purpose of the GasPak System in culturing anaerobic pathogens?
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What are conidiospores and in which fungi are they found?
What are conidiospores and in which fungi are they found?
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Describe the importance of a clean catch urine sample.
Describe the importance of a clean catch urine sample.
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What type of hemolysis occurs with A-hemolytic Streptococcus species and how is it identified?
What type of hemolysis occurs with A-hemolytic Streptococcus species and how is it identified?
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What is the purpose of using a GasPak system in bacterial cultivation?
What is the purpose of using a GasPak system in bacterial cultivation?
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Define biological vectors and provide an example.
Define biological vectors and provide an example.
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How does the colorimetric detection method function in an ELISA test?
How does the colorimetric detection method function in an ELISA test?
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What is the significance of including negative and positive control groups in an ELISA test?
What is the significance of including negative and positive control groups in an ELISA test?
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What does a reduction of tetrazolium dye to a purple color indicate in the Biolog System?
What does a reduction of tetrazolium dye to a purple color indicate in the Biolog System?
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Explain the role of washing steps in the ELISA testing process.
Explain the role of washing steps in the ELISA testing process.
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What type of pathogens are challenging to eradicate and why?
What type of pathogens are challenging to eradicate and why?
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What is the purpose of a turbidimeter in microbiological experiments?
What is the purpose of a turbidimeter in microbiological experiments?
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Describe the initial procedural step when using the Biolog System to identify bacteria.
Describe the initial procedural step when using the Biolog System to identify bacteria.
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In the context of immunology, what are antigens?
In the context of immunology, what are antigens?
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Study Notes
Fungi: Structure and Function
- Fungi are heterotrophs, meaning they require organic carbon for energy.
- They are saprotrophs, decomposing dead organic matter.
- They form symbiotic relationships with other species like algae or bacteria.
- Fungi are a food source and contribute to food production for humans and other organisms.
- Their cell walls are composed of chitin.
- Fungi can be multicellular (molds) or unicellular (yeast).
- They have hyphae, long branching cellular structures.
- Hyphae may form a tangled mass called a mycelium.
- Vegetative hyphae grow along the substrate.
- Reproductive hyphae produce spores.
- Thermal dimorphism: Fungi can exist as either mold (room temperature) or yeast (37°C).
- Some fungi are opportunistic pathogens, infecting individuals with weakened immune systems.
Types of Fungi
Molds
- Zygomycetes reproduce sexually by forming zygospores and asexually by producing sporangiospores (e.g., Rhizopus stolonifer).
- Ascomycetes reproduce sexually by forming ascospores and asexually by producing conidiospores (e.g., Penicillium notatum, Aspergillus niger).
Mushrooms
- Basidiomycetes reproduce sexually by forming basidiospores.
- They do not have a well-defined asexual reproduction method.
Lab 11: Infectious Disease
Throat Cultures
- Bacteria obtain iron from blood.
- Blood agar plates are used (5% sheep's blood).
- Alpha-hemolysis: Partial breakdown of red blood cells (RBCs), greenish color.
- Beta-hemolysis: Complete breakdown of RBCs, clear zones.
- Gamma-hemolysis: No breakdown of RBCs, no color change.
Urine Cultures
- Diagnose urinary tract infections (UTIs), most commonly caused by E. coli.
- Use Eosin Methylene Blue (EMB) and Blood agar (BA) plates.
- Urine is sterile in the body; becomes contaminated outside of the body.
- "Clean catch" method is used to collect a mid-stream urine sample.
- Significant bacteriuria is indicated by 100,000+ colony-forming units (CFUs) per milliliter of urine.
- E. coli is a common cause of UTIs due to its presence in the intestines.
- Samples should be immediately tested or refrigerated.
Anaerobic Pathogens
- Obligate anaerobes require an anaerobic environment (lack of oxygen) to grow.
- The GasPak system is used.
- A jar contains oxygen-absorbing chemicals and a methylene blue strip that turns white when no oxygen is present.
Vectors
- Vectors are disease-carrying organisms.
- Vectors can transmit disease through food, water, respiratory droplets, or sexual contact.
- Human vectors: Insects like flies, mosquitoes, ticks, and mites.
- Mechanical vectors: Carry microbes physically on their bodies.
- Biological vectors: Carry microbes within their bodies.
Lab 12: Immunology
ELISA Test
- Detects antigens or antibodies.
- Used in diagnostics (e.g., HIV, EBV).
- Also used for pregnancy tests, drug screenings, and food allergy tests.
- Colorimetric detection: A color change indicates a positive immune response.
- Washing steps, positive and negative controls are essential for accurate results.
- A secondary antibody, conjugated with an enzyme, produces a color change through a substrate reaction.
Biolog System
- Identifies bacteria based on metabolic properties using a 96-well plate.
- Determines bacteria's use of carbon sources (sugars, amino acids, etc.).
- Tests sensitivity to antibiotics, salt, or acidic pH.
- Shows positive results via purple tetrazolium dye reduction, indicating electron transfer.
- Turbidimeter measures light transmittance through a sample to estimate the bacterial concentration.
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Description
Explore the fascinating world of fungi with this quiz that covers their structure, function, and types. From their role as decomposers to their interaction with other species, you'll learn about the unique characteristics that define fungi, including hyphal structures and reproduction methods. Test your knowledge on the importance of fungi in ecosystems and food production!