Microbial Biology: Structure, Immunity, Interactions

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Questions and Answers

How does the structure of a bacterium contribute to its ability to cause disease?

Structures like capsules, pili, and flagella aid in adherence, immune evasion, and motility, which are critical for establishing infection.

What are the key differences between the adaptive and innate immune responses, and why is it important that they work together?

Innate immunity provides an immediate, non-specific defense, while adaptive immunity is specific and develops over time. They must work together because innate immunity primes the adaptive response, and adaptive immunity enhances and sustains the initial defense.

Explain how a virus replicates inside a host cell, and why is this process often harmful to the host?

Viruses inject their genetic material into the host cell, hijacking the cell's machinery to produce more viral particles. This process often damages or kills the host cell, leading to disease.

Describe the role of microbial fermentation in biotechnology, providing a specific example.

Microbial fermentation is used to produce various products, such as antibiotics, enzymes, and biofuels. For example, yeast fermentation is used in the production of beer and wine. Signup and view all the answers

How do fungi differ structurally from bacteria, and how do these differences influence their pathogenic mechanisms?

Fungi are eukaryotic with a nucleus and organelles, while bacteria are prokaryotic. These structural differences lead to different pathogenic mechanisms; fungi may use specialized structures like hyphae for tissue invasion, while bacteria rely on toxins and adherence factors. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the significance of biofilms in the context of chronic infections and antibiotic resistance.

Biofilms are structured communities of microorganisms encased in a matrix, making them more resistant to antibiotics and immune clearance, leading to persistent, chronic infections. Signup and view all the answers

What strategies do protists use to evade the host immune system, and why are protist infections often difficult to treat?

Protists use strategies such as antigenic variation, intracellular residence, and formation of cysts to evade the immune system. Their complex life cycles and eukaryotic nature make them difficult to target with drugs that won't harm the host. Signup and view all the answers

Describe how microbial genomics is used to track and understand disease outbreaks.

Microbial genomics identifies pathogen strains and their evolutionary relationships, tracking transmission routes and sources during outbreaks. This enables targeted public health interventions. Signup and view all the answers

Explain how the human microbiome contributes to both health and disease.

The microbiome contributes to health by aiding digestion, synthesizing vitamins, and competing with pathogens. Imbalances can lead to diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, obesity, and increased susceptibility to infections. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of restriction enzymes in biotechnology, and how do they relate to a bacterium's natural defense mechanisms?

Restriction enzymes are used to cut DNA at specific sequences, enabling gene cloning and manipulation in biotechnology. In bacteria, they protect against viral infection by cutting foreign DNA. Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Bacteria

Single-celled organisms lacking a nucleus; classified by shape, cell wall composition, and metabolic processes.

Viruses

Acellular infectious agents composed of nucleic acid surrounded by a protein coat; replicate only within a host cell.

Fungi

Eukaryotic organisms including yeasts, molds, and mushrooms; possess cell walls and obtain nutrients from dead or decaying matter.

Protists

Diverse group of eukaryotic microorganisms, including protozoa and algae; unicellular or multicellular.