Microbial Ecology and Symbiosis

What is the relationship called when two dissimilar organisms live together or in close association?

What are the two components of an ecosystem that living organisms interact with?

In neutralism, both symbionts are affected by the relationship.

What is the type of symbiosis where one organism benefits while the other is neither harmed nor benefited?

Match the following commensalistic symbiotic relationships with their examples:

What type of symbiosis is beneficial to both symbionts and is considered mutually beneficial?

The human bot fly (Dermatobia hominis) is a common parasite in Central and South America.

What bacteria is found in the gut of Medicinal Leeches and contributes to the digestion of blood?

What is the primary way to prevent infections caused by Aeromonas spp. in people who are treated with Medicinal Leeches?

Wolbachia is a common reproductive parasite that infects ONLY the ovaries and testes of its host.

What is the scientific name of the nematode responsible for causing onchocerciasis or river blindness?

What is the most effective drug for killing larvae (microfilariae) in onchocerciasis?

Doxycycline is effective for killing Wolbachia required for the survival of macrofilariae, but it is also effective against larvae.

The Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) is a method used for controlling Aedes aegypti mosquitoes by introducing Wolbachia bacteria into the mosquito population.

Termites can digest wood directly.

What are the two symbiotic partners that make up a lichen?

Parasitism is a symbiotic relationship beneficial to both organisms involved.

What is the difference between nonpathogenic and pathogenic parasites?

What is the name of the flagellated protozoan that causes African sleeping sickness?

Shifting symbiotic relationships can occur when healthy individuals experience changes in their anatomical site habitat, such as transitioning from the intestines to the urinary bladder, lungs, or blood.

The human body contains more bacterial cells than human cells.

Resident microbiota are microorganisms that temporarily reside in the body and are typically acquired from the external environment.

Body fluids like blood, lymph, and cerebrospinal fluid are typically sterile, meaning they are free of microorganisms.

Which of these factors can contribute to the elimination of transient microbiota from the body?

What type of bacteria are more prevalent in the deeper layers of the skin, hair follicles, sweat glands, and sebaceous glands?

Staphylococcus epidermidis is a common anaerobic bacteria found on the skin.

Which of the following bacteria are most commonly found in the upper respiratory tract?

The lower respiratory tract (larynx, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, and lungs) is typically sterile.

What type of bacteria are most commonly found in the oral cavity?

What is the name of the bacteria that is a leading contributor to cavities and tooth decay?

The presence of Helicobacter pylori in the stomach can lead to peptic ulcers.

The small intestine is sterile due to the presence of bile.

What is the name of the human body part that has the most numerous and diverse array of microorganisms?

The urinary bladder is typically sterile in a healthy individual.

The presence of microorganisms in the distal urethra and external meatus is abnormal and indicates an infection.

Which of these anatomical or physiological abnormalities can lead to persistent recurrent UTIs?

The vagina is normally sterile.

What type of bacteria is commonly found in the vagina during childbearing years and contributes to the acidic pH of the vagina?

The use of oral contraceptives can increase the susceptibility to vaginal infections.

What is the name of the condition characterized by a watery, non-inflammatory discharge lacking white blood cells (WBCs) and caused by a synergistic infection involving multiple bacterial species?

Yeast vaginitis, commonly caused by Candida albicans, is a type of bacterial infection.

Probiotics are harmless microorganisms that provide health benefits to the host.

Which of these is NOT a type of bacteria typically included in probiotic supplements?

Prebiotics are non-digestible food ingredients that promote the growth and activity of beneficial bacteria in the gut.

Oral probiotic supplements have been proven effective in the treatment of otitis media.

Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT) is a FDA-approved procedure used to transfer intestinal bacteria from a healthy donor to a recipient, mainly for the treatment of recurrent C. difficile infections.

What is the main reason for the potential harm caused by opportunistic pathogens?

Broad-spectrum antibiotics are often effective in treating Clostridium difficile infections.

Which of these conditions can contribute to candidiasis (moniliasis)?

Weakening of the immune response, such as during chemotherapy or due to diseases like diabetes, can increase the risk of opportunistic infections.

What is the name of the complex microbial community that is embedded in a hydrated extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) and often found in biofilms?

EPS in biofilms primarily consists of bacterial secretions of polysaccharides, proteins, and nucleic acids.

The bacteria within biofilms are typically separated by a network of water channels.

Biofilms are resistant to antibiotics and disinfectants.

The presence of a biofilm on medical instruments such as catheters or endoscopes can increase the risk of infections.

Biofilms are commonly found in the body fluids of patients, but rarely in tissues.

Synergism occurs when two or more different microorganisms work together to produce a disease that neither could cause alone.

Which of these conditions can increase the risk of developing Acute Necrotizing Ulcerative Gingivitis (ANUG), Trench mouth, or Vincent's angina?

Ludwig's angina, a life-threatening infection, is marked by a painful bilateral cellulitis of the floor of the mouth.

The presence of a strong immune system is a contributing factor to developing Ludwig's angina.

Agricultural microbiology focuses primarily on the study of bacteria, fungi, and Algae.

Clostridium tetani is the bacteria responsible for causing tetanus.

Zoonoses are diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans and vice versa.

Agricultural microbiology is only concerned with the impact of microorganisms on human health.