Microbial Ecology and Symbiosis
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Questions and Answers

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

Symbiosis

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

  • Biotic and Abiotic (correct)
  • Living and non-living
  • Plants and Animals
  • Water and Soil

    • In neutralism, both symbionts are affected by the relationship.

    False (B)

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

    <p>Commensalism</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following commensalistic symbiotic relationships with their examples:

    <p>Blackhead Mite (Demodex) = Indigenous microflora of humans Indigenous microflora of humans = Blackhead mite (Demodex) Dermatobia hominis (human bot fly) = Blackhead mite (Demodex) Blackhead mite (Demodex) = Dermatobia hominis (human bot fly)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

    <p>Mutualism</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

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

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

    <p>Aeromonas spp.</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

    <p>Administering antibiotics (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

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

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

    <p>Onchocerca volvulus (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

    <p>Ivermectin</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

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

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

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

    Termites can digest wood directly.

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

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

    <p>Fungi and Algae</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Parasitism is a symbiotic relationship beneficial to both organisms involved.

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

    What is the difference between nonpathogenic and pathogenic parasites?

    <p>Nonpathogenic parasites do not harm their host, while pathogenic parasites can cause disease and even death. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

    <p>Trypanosoma gambiense</p> Signup and view all the answers

    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.

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

    The human body contains more bacterial cells than human cells.

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

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

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

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

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

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

    <p>Washing with soap and water (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

    <p>Anaerobes</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

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

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

    <p>All of the above (D), Micrococci (E)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

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

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

    <p>a-hemolytic strep (Strep viridans)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

    <p>Streptococcus mutans</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

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

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

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

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

    <p>Colon (large intestine)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The urinary bladder is typically sterile in a healthy individual.

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

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

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

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

    <p>Both A and B (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The vagina is normally sterile.

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

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

    <p>Lactobacilli</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

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

    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?

    <p>Bacterial Vaginosis</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    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.

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

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

    <p>They change their anatomical site habitat (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

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

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

    <p>Both A and B (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

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

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

    <p>Biofilm</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

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

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

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

    Biofilms are resistant to antibiotics and disinfectants.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    <p>All of the above (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Clostridium tetani is the bacteria responsible for causing tetanus.

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

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

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

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

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

    Flashcards

    Microbial Ecology

    The study of how microbes interact with their environment and each other.

    Symbiosis

    A close relationship between two different species.

    Neutralism

    A symbiotic relationship where neither organism is affected.

    Commensalism

    A symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits and the other is unaffected.

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    Commensalistic examples

    Indigenous microflora in humans, Demodex mites, and Dermatobia hominis (human bot fly).

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    Mutualism

    A symbiotic relationship where both organisms benefit.

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    Mutualistic examples

    Humans and their gut microbes, medicinal leeches and Aeromonas spp, Wolbachia (pipientis) bacteria, termites and intestinal protozoa, and lichen.

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    Parasitism

    A symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits and the other is harmed.

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    Opportunistic Pathogens

    Microbes that are usually harmless but can cause disease under certain conditions.

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    Human Indigenous Microflora

    The microorganisms that naturally live on or in the human body.

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    Resident Microbiota

    Microbes that regularly reside on or in the human body.

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    Transient Microbiota

    Microbes that inhabit the body for a limited time.

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    Skin Microflora

    The microbes found on the skin, often anaerobes, bacteria, and fungi.

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    Respiratory Tract Microflora

    Microbes in the nose, throat, and lungs.

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    GIT Microflora

    Microbes in the gastrointestinal tract, very diverse and numerous.

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    UGT Microflora

    Microbes of the urinary and reproductive system.

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    Biofilms

    Organized communities of microbes embedded in a sticky matrix.

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    Synergism

    Two or more microbes working together to cause a disease.

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    Probiotics

    Beneficial microbes that offer health benefits.

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    Prebiotics

    Substances that promote the growth of beneficial microbes in the gut.

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    FMT

    Fecal microbiota transplantation, transferring gut microbes to treat specific conditions.

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    Harmful Role of Microflora

    How normal microbes can cause harm in altered conditions.

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    Study Notes

    Microbial Ecology

    • Microbial ecology is the study of the interrelationships between living organisms and their environment.
    • Environments are composed of two components:
      • Biotic (living): plants, animals, and other organisms
      • Abiotic (non-living): water, soil, and atmosphere
    • Symbiosis is an interspecies biological interaction where two dissimilar organisms live together.

    Types of Symbiotic Relationships

    • Neutralism: Neither symbiont is affected by the relationship. They occupy the same ecological niche.
    • Commensalism: One symbiont benefits, while the other is neither helped nor harmed. Neither organism is physiologically dependent on the other.
      • Examples include indigenous microflora in humans and the blackhead mite (Demodex).
    • Mutualism: Both symbionts benefit from the relationship. It's a mutually beneficial relationship.
      • Example: humans and many microorganisms in the gut

    Medicinal Leeches

    • Used in the past for abscesses and wounds.
    • Recently used in plastic surgery to prevent venous congestion.
    • Aeromonas spp. bacteria, found in leech gut, are essential for blood digestion, and nutrients for both leeches and host.
    • Prophylactic antibiotics can prevent infection by Aeromonas from leech use in wounds.

    Wolbachia

    • Intracellular Gram-negative bacteria related to Rickettsia.
    • The most common reproductive parasite that infects ovaries and testes.
    • Hosts cannot survive or reproduce without Wolbachia colonization.
    • Live mainly in arthropods and some filarial nematodes.
    • Examples include Onchocerca volvulus (river blindness) and Dirofilaria immitis (heartworm in dogs). Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) uses Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes to control the Aedes aegypti mosquito population and prevent diseases spread by them.

    Termites

    • Eat wood but cannot digest it.
    • Intestinal protozoa break down wood molecules into smaller cellulose molecules, making wood digestible for termite.

    Lichens

    • Colored patches that grow on tree trunks and rocks.
    • Composed of fungus and algae.

    Parasitism

    • A relationship beneficial to one symbiont (parasite) and detrimental to the other (host).
    • Nonpathogenic parasites do not cause disease and kill their host.
    • Pathogenic parasites cause disease or death.
    • Example: Trypanosoma gambiense, causing African sleeping sickness.

    Human Indigenous Microflora

    • Microorganisms that live naturally in the body without causing harm.
    • Resident microbiota: microbes residing on and within the body (e.g. bacteria, fungi, protozoa & viruses).
    • Transient microbiota: microbes that temporarily reside on or within the body are transferred from external environment as a result of bathing, excretions & secretions.

    Microflora of Skin, Ears, and Eyes

    • Resident microflora on skin are mostly anaerobes, found in skin layers, hair follicles, sweat & sebaceous glands.
    • Bacteria that are common on skin include Staph (S. epidermidis), Corynebacterium, and Propionibacterium.
    • Common fungus on skin is Candida albicans.
    • Ear and eye microflora are similar to that of the skin.

    Microflora of Respiratory Tract

    • Upper respiratory tract (nose and throat) is not sterile.
    • Common MOs include Diphtheroids, Lactobacilli, Micrococci, Strep, Staph, Neisseria, & Corynebacterium.
    • Lower respiratory tract is usually sterile.

    Microflora of Mouth

    • Microflora of oral cavity are mostly anaerobes.
    • Includes bacteria like Staph, Strep, Corynebacterium, Lactobacillus etc.
    • Low dental hygiene can lead to dental caries & gingivitis

    Microflora of GIT

    • Stomach is generally sterile except for Helicobacter pylori, a gram-negative bacteria that causes peptic ulcers.
    • Small intestine (duodenum) has bile preventing pathogen growth, but jejunum & ileum have Staph, Lactobacillus etc.
    • Colon (large intestine) has the largest diversity of microbes.

    Microflora of Urogenital Tract (UGT)

    • Usually sterile except vagina during puberty & menopause.
    • Vagina is acidic during child-bearing years and has Lactobacillus (a major component of vaginal flora).
    • Oral contraceptives can increase vaginal pH reducing Lactobacillus numbers, and increasing infection susceptibility.
    • Bacterial vaginosis is often caused by infection with Gardnerella vaginalis & certain Mobiluncus, Bacteroides & anaerobic cocci .

    Beneficial Role of Microflora

    • Production of vitamins (e.g., vitamin K) by intestinal flora
    • Stimulation of the immune system by constant antigen exposure from microbes.
    • Role in microbial antagonism: inhibiting the growth of harmful microbes.

    Probiotics

    • Harmless microorganisms that provide health benefits.
    • Can be ingested orally and can reside in the gut/ gut tract - they can improve gut health, reestablish and stabilize intestinal microbial, and reduce inflammation.

    Harmful Role of Microflora

    • Microbes can cause disease if they change from non-pathogenic to pathogenic.
    • Change habitat if immune system is weak, disease, burns, wounds etc. can be harmful.

    Biofilm

    • Complex communities of microorganisms embedded in a matrix.
    • Biofilms are highly resistant to antibiotics & disinfectants due to:
      • Extensive layers.
      • Inherent hydrophobicity.
    • Biofilm typically divides at a slow rate.

    Synergism

    • Two or more microorganisms working together (a synergistic relationship) to produce a disease that neither could cause alone.

    Agricultural Microbiology

    • Study of microorganisms in soil and their role in agriculture.
    • Includes pathogens and beneficial microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, algae, protozoa, viruses.

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