Microbial Control Homework Flashcards

Sanitization is a process by which ________.

An _________ would be used to destroy bacteria on a countertop whereas an ________ would be used on skin prior to making an incision.

Microbial control methods that kill ______ are able to sterilize.

What are the two most resistant microbial forms?

Select the microorganism that is LEAST resistant to chemical and physical control measures.

Which of the following are correctly matched?

What does broad spectrum refer to in antimicrobial drugs?

Antiprotozoal and anthelminthic drugs are often less toxic to human tissues because of the high degree of similarity between human cells and various pathogenic protozoa and helminths.

Select the three primary mechanisms by which antiviral medications work.

What are limiting factors of using culturing techniques to diagnose infections?

The polymerase chain reactions can be employed on bacterial samples for pathogen diagnosis.

Which of the following statements describes a microarray?

Evaluate the statements below, and select those that correctly apply to breakthrough methods of genome analysis.

Microbial Control and Definitions

Sanitization reduces microbial load on an object.
Disinfectants destroy bacteria on surfaces; antiseptics are used on skin before incisions.
Microbial control methods capable of killing endospores achieve sterilization.

Resistance of Microbial Forms

Prions and endospores are among the most resistant microbial forms.
Enveloped viruses are the least resistant to chemical and physical controls.

Methods of Microbial Control

Bactericidal agents kill bacteria; bacteriostatic agents inhibit bacterial growth.
Physical control methods and moist heat play crucial roles in microbial growth management.

Antimicrobial Medications

Antimicrobial drugs primarily target:
- Cell wall synthesis
- Cell membrane structure/function
- Protein synthesis
- DNA & RNA synthesis
- Folic acid synthesis
Broad-spectrum drugs are effective against a wide range of bacteria.
Susceptibility to antibiotics can be assessed using the Kirby-Bauer test, where larger zones indicate susceptibility.

Drug Resistance and Antifungal Treatments

Antiprotozoal and anthelminthic drugs are often toxic to humans due to similarities with pathogens.
Antiviral medications work by preventing viral entry, blocking protein synthesis, and inhibiting viral maturation.

Microbial Identification Techniques

Techniques for microbial identification include:
- Genotypic: Analyzing DNA/RNA
- Immunologic: Using antibodies for detection
- Phenotypic: Observing morphology and biochemical properties
Aseptic sampling techniques and sterile containers are critical for specimen collection.

Testing and Analysis in Microbiology

Biochemical tests, such as acid and gas production from carbohydrate fermentation, are prominent in microbial identification.
Culturing techniques have limitations, including difficulty in isolating pathogens and requiring significant incubation time.
Microarrays utilize absorbent plates to match patient specimens with thousands of gene sequences.

Innovative Methods

Breakthrough methods in genome analysis are continuously evolving to enhance pathogen diagnosis and microbial identification processes.

Test your knowledge of microbial control methods with these flashcards based on Chapters 9, 10, and 15. Each card provides key definitions and concepts related to sanitization, disinfectants, and more. Ideal for students looking to reinforce their understanding of microbial safety practices.