General Microbiology Overview

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Questions and Answers

Which type of transmission involves contact with inanimate objects?

  • Indirect Transmission (correct)
  • Vehicle Transmission
  • Insect Vector Transmission
  • Direct Transmission

What role does resilience play in disease transmission?

  • Enhances the spreading of pathogens (correct)
  • Increases the likelihood of environmental stresses
  • Reduces the chances of pathogen survival
  • Limits reproduction of the pathogen

Which of the following is an example of insect vector transmission?

  • Sneezing in close proximity
  • Touching a infected surface
  • Sharing food with an infected person
  • A raccoon transmitting a disease to a human (correct)

How are biomacromolecules typically structured in cells?

<p>Maintained by hydrogen and covalent bonds (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about direct transmission is true?

<p>It involves contact or aerosolization. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of pathogens can exist in both animals and humans?

<p>Zoonotic pathogens (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes an epidemic from an endemic disease?

<p>Epidemics show a large increase above baseline, while endemics remain constant. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which route of transmission is NOT commonly associated with zoonotic pathogens?

<p>Parenteral route (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant factor that makes influenza more severe in winter?

<p>Viral survival rates improve in cold climates. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which method of transmission describes the passage of pathogens from a mother to her fetus?

<p>Vertical transmission (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes a quaternary structure in proteins?

<p>It consists of more than one polypeptide chain. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which component is NOT a function of lipids?

<p>Enzyme production. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the structure of a phospholipid?

<p>Two fatty acids bonded to a glycerol and a phosphate group. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which feature of phospholipids allows them to form selectively permeable membranes?

<p>Amphipathic nature. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of bond is primarily responsible for the linkage between sulfur groups in proteins?

<p>Disulfide bond. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which age groups are considered to have potential immunocompromisation affecting their ability to handle viruses?

<p>Infants and older adults (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What factor is NOT mentioned as influencing the level of immunocompetence?

<p>Dietary habits (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential effect of human activity on exposure to disease vectors?

<p>Increase in deforestation and settlement (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about climate change and disease vectors is accurate?

<p>Climate change can lead to novel exposure to disease vectors. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which function do biomacromolecules NOT perform in a microbial context?

<p>Facilitating nutrient absorption (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do prokaryotic cells differ from eukaryotic cells?

<p>Prokaryotes have free-floating chromosomal content, while eukaryotes have a defined nucleus. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about viruses is correct?

<p>Viruses are made of biomacromolecules. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is NOT true regarding the replication methods of prokaryotes and eukaryotes?

<p>Both prokaryotes and eukaryotes replicate by binary fission or mitosis. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary composition of a biofilm?

<p>Multiple cellular communities with an exopolysaccharides matrix (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does a capsule differ from a biofilm?

<p>Capsules protect individual cells, while biofilms enhance community survival (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What advantage does living in a biofilm provide to cells?

<p>Improved nutrient trapping and resource sharing (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about quorum sensing is correct?

<p>It allows bacteria to communicate and coordinate behavior based on cell density (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role do exopolysaccharides play in biofilms?

<p>They provide structural support and protect cells from the environment (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of these best describes a strict anaerobe?

<p>Cannot survive in the presence of oxygen (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of environment do strict aerobes require?

<p>Only presence of oxygen (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic feature of biofilms in terms of structure?

<p>They have a thick and sticky slime layer (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The term 'facultative microbe' refers to an organism that:

<p>Can live with or without oxygen (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which function is primarily associated with the capsule of a microbial cell?

<p>Providing individual cell protection against phagocytosis (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary significance of endospores for bacteria in stressful environments?

<p>Allowing survival during environmental stressors (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which environmental factor predominantly stimulates biofilm formation in bacteria?

<p>High cell density (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do signal molecules affect the formation of biofilms?

<p>They facilitate communication between cells (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role does quorum sensing have in bacterial populations?

<p>It triggers the development of biofilms (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic of endospores contributes to their resistance against antibiotics?

<p>Their protective coat and dormant state (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following conditions would most likely trigger endospore formation?

<p>High temperature and lack of nutrients (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the primary roles of biofilms in chronic infections?

<p>Increasing resistance to the immune system (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do endospores impact the transmission of pathogenic bacteria?

<p>By remaining dormant until suitable conditions arise (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What external condition can enhance the virulence of a biofilm?

<p>Nutrient-rich environment (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a major factor contributing to the persistence of infections caused by endospore-forming bacteria?

<p>Resistance to disinfectants (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Zoonotic Pathogen

A pathogen that can infect animals, insects, and humans.

Reservoir

A source of a pathogen.

Carrier

A person who harbors a pathogen without showing symptoms.

Vector-borne illness portal

Illness spread by a vector, such as a mosquito bite

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Route of Entry (Respiratory)

Pathogens enter the body through the respiratory system (lungs).

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Immunocompromised Individuals

Infants and the elderly are more vulnerable to diseases due to their undeveloped or weakened immune systems.

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Host Factors (Susceptibility)

Age, genetics, lifestyle (smoking, alcohol), and pre-existing diseases influence how easily a host gets sick.

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Pathogen Exposure

Behaviors and occupations (e.g., healthcare, agriculture) can increase exposure to pathogens.

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Emerging/Re-emerging Diseases

Human activity (deforestation, population growth) creates new chances for pathogens to spread to humans.

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Climate Change & Vectors

Changes in climate influence where humans and animals live, potentially exposing people to new diseases through vectors.

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Microbial Biomacromolecules

Large molecules in microbes that determine their structure and functions, also recognized by the immune system.

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Prokaryotes vs. Eukaryotes

Prokaryotes lack a nucleus, while eukaryotes have a membrane-bound nucleus and other organelles.

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Virus Replication

Viruses cannot replicate on their own; they need a host cell to reproduce.

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Indirect Transmission

Spread of a pathogen through inanimate objects (fomites), like sharing food or touching a surface after coughing.

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Vehicle Transmission

Transmission of a pathogen from one generation to the next through a vehicle (e.g., insect offspring inheriting a pathogen from their parent).

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Insect Vector

A method of disease transmission where a pathogen is carried by an insect and then transferred to another animal or human.

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Direct Transmission

Spread of a pathogen through direct contact with an infected individual or by aerosolization (e.g., sneezing).

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Resilience & Disease Transmission

A pathogen's ability to survive outside of a host for a longer period, increasing its chance of transmission; this promotes disease spread.

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Quaternary Structure

This level of protein structure is formed when multiple polypeptide chains (subunits) come together.

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Disulfide Bond

A strong covalent bond formed between two sulfur atoms within a protein.

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Ionic Bond (Protein Structure)

A weak bond formed between oppositely charged amino acid side chains within a protein.

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Fatty Acids (Lipids)

Long chains of carbon and hydrogen atoms that are a primary component of lipids. They serve as an energy source and building blocks for cell membranes.

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Phospholipids

Lipid molecules that form the basis of cell membranes. They have a hydrophilic head (attracted to water) and hydrophobic tails (repelled by water).

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Strict Aerobe

A microbe that requires oxygen to survive and cannot grow without it.

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Facultative Microbe

A microbe that can grow with or without oxygen, but prefers the presence of oxygen for more efficient energy production.

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Microaerophile

A microbe that only requires a small amount of oxygen to survive and can be harmed by high oxygen concentrations.

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Strict Anaerobe

A microbe that cannot survive in the presence of oxygen and is harmed by it.

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Biofilm

A complex community of microbes that adhere to a surface and produce a sticky, slimy layer called an exopolysaccharide matrix.

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Exopolysaccharide Matrix

The protective, slimy layer produced by biofilms that helps the community survive and thrive.

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Biofilm vs. Capsule

A biofilm is a community of microbes with an exopolysaccharide matrix, while a capsule is a protective layer surrounding a single cell.

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Biofilm Advantage: Resistance

Biofilms provide protection against antibiotics, immune responses, and other environmental stressors.

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Biofilm Advantage: Cooperation

Biofilms allow microbes to share resources, metabolic products, and information, enhancing survival and growth.

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Quorum Sensing

A process where bacteria communicate with each other using signaling molecules to coordinate behavior, including biofilm formation. The higher the cell density, the more signals are produced.

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Endospore Formation

A process where bacteria create a highly resistant, dormant structure to survive harsh environmental conditions.

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What triggers endospore formation?

Limited nutrients and stressful environmental conditions, such as high temperatures, trigger endospore formation.

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How do biofilms contribute to virulence?

Biofilms provide a protective barrier that makes bacteria more resistant to antibiotics and the immune system, leading to chronic infections.

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How do endospores contribute to pathogenesis?

Endospores allow pathogenic bacteria to survive in the environment and infect a host when conditions are favorable, making them difficult to eradicate.

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What is the role of ATP in microbial metabolism?

ATP is the primary energy carrier used by microbes for all cellular processes, including growth and reproduction.

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What are some external energy sources for microbes?

Microbes can obtain energy from sunlight (phototrophs), organic compounds (chemotrophs), or inorganic compounds (lithotrophs).

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What are some immediately available energy sources for microbes?

Besides ATP, microbes can also use other energy carriers like NADH and FADH2, which are involved in electron transport and energy production.

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How are energy carriers used in growth processes?

Energy carriers like ATP, NADH, and FADH2 are used to drive metabolic reactions, biosynthesis, and other essential processes for microbial growth.

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Study Notes

General Microbiology

  • Microbiology is the study of microorganisms.
  • Microorganisms are ubiquitous (present everywhere).
  • They have diverse roles, including beneficial and harmful.
  • Different types of microbes exist, including bacteria, archaea, protists, fungi, and viruses.

Microbial Structures and Biomacromolecules

  • Biomacromolecules are crucial to microbial structure and function.
  • Examples include carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.
  • Microbes utilize these to perform different functions.
  • Eukaryotic cells have a nucleus, while prokaryotic cells do not.

Modes of Transmission

  • Pathogens can be transmitted directly or indirectly.
  • Direct transmission involves direct contact.
  • Indirect transmission involves fomites, vectors, or vehicles.
  • Routes include oral, respiratory, genital, and vertical transmission.

Microbial Growth

  • Microbial growth depends on environmental factors (temperature, pH, oxygen).
  • Bacteria reproduce through binary fission.
  • There are different growth phases (lag, log, stationary, death).

Pathogens

  • Pathogens are disease-causing microorganisms.
  • They can be primary (cause disease in healthy individuals) or opportunistic (cause disease in immunocompromised individuals).
  • Koch postulates are used to determine if a microbe is the causative agent of disease.

Biofilms and Endospores

  • Biofilms are complex communities of microbes.
  • Formation is influenced by cell density and environmental conditions.
  • Endospores are dormant structures that enhance bacterial survival.

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