Microbiology and Microscopy Quiz

The two-part naming system used to scientifically classify living organisms. The first part is the genus, and the second part is the species. For example, Escherichia coli is a bacterium found in the intestines.

A hierarchical system for classifying organisms into increasingly specific groups. It starts with the broadest category, Kingdom, and narrows down to the most specific, Species.

The science of classifying organisms, assigning universal names, and organizing them into categories.

Single-celled prokaryotic organisms that lack a nucleus and have peptidoglycan cell walls. Some are motile, meaning they can move independently.

Prokaryotic organisms that share some similarities to bacteria but have distinct features, including unique cell wall compositions and the capability to thrive in extreme environments.

Eukaryotic organisms, including yeasts (unicellular) and molds (multicellular), that obtain nutrients by decomposing organic matter.

The idea that living organisms can arise spontaneously from nonliving matter. This theory was later disproven by Louis Pasteur.

The concept that life can only arise from pre-existing life. This theory replaced the idea of spontaneous generation.

A method to test antimicrobial agents by placing disks soaked in the agent on an agar plate inoculated with a test microbe. The size of the inhibition zone around the disk indicates the effectiveness of the agent.

The complete removal or destruction of all forms of microbial life, including endospores.

The time required at a specific temperature to kill 90% of a microbial population.

The minimal temperature required to kill all microbes in a specific time (usually 10 minutes).

The time required to kill all microbes at a set temperature.

A method of microbial control that utilizes heat to denature proteins and disrupt cell membranes.

A physical method of microbial control that removes microbes from liquids or air by passing them through a filter.

A physical method of microbial control that damages DNA by causing thymine dimers. It effectively kills microbes that are exposed to the radiation.

A type of microscope that uses visible light and glass lenses to magnify objects up to 1000 times. This is a common tool used in many biological labs.

A microscope that uses ultraviolet light to view structures that have been labeled with fluorescent dyes. It's used to see specific molecules or parts of cells.

This staining method uses crystal violet, iodine, decolorizer, and safranin to differentiate bacteria into two main groups: Gram-positive (purple) and Gram-negative (pink). It's a key identification tool in microbiology.

The ability of a microscope to distinguish two closely spaced objects as separate entities. A higher resolution means a microscope can see more fine detail.

The process of making a thin layer of the specimen on a glass slide to prepare it for viewing under a microscope.

Thick layer of peptidoglycan and teichoic acids compose these bacteria. These bacteria retain the purple color of the Gram stain.

These bacteria have a thin layer of peptidoglycan and an outer membrane containing lipopolysaccharides (LPS). They appear pink after the Gram stain.

A rigid structure that supports and protects the bacterial cell. It can be either Gram-positive or Gram-negative, depending on the type of bacteria.

Process that reduces microbial populations to safe levels, but may not eliminate all pathogens. Examples include boiling, chemical disinfectants, and UV radiation.

Application of antimicrobial agents to living tissue to prevent infection. Examples include using iodine on wounds or hand sanitizer.

Reduction of microbial populations to acceptable levels, often used for food preparation or restaurant equipment.

Process of using high heat to kill microbes. Examples include autoclaving, boiling, and pasteurization.

Process of using radiation to kill microbes. Gamma rays and X-rays are ionizing radiation. UV light is non-ionizing and can only sterilize surfaces.

Process of removing water to inhibit microbial growth. Examples include drying food or using salt to preserve meat.

Fungal infections, ranging from superficial skin infections like ringworm to serious systemic infections like histoplasmosis that can affect internal organs.

Unicellular eukaryotic organisms that exhibit diverse forms and metabolic strategies. They can be found in various environments and include important pathogens.

A parasitic protozoan that causes malaria. It undergoes a complex life cycle involving humans and mosquitoes, infecting liver cells and red blood cells.

A flagellated protozoan that displays both photosynthetic and heterotrophic nutrition. It can use sunlight for energy or consume organic matter.

A rigid structure found in fungal cells, primarily composed of chitin. It provides structural support and protection.

A process by which fungi acquire nutrients by secreting enzymes that break down complex organic compounds. This allows them to digest food outside their cells.

A type of asexual reproduction in fungi that involves the production of spores, such as conidiospores or sporangiospores. These spores can disperse and germinate into new fungal colonies.

A viral cycle where the virus integrates its genetic material into the host cell's genome. This allows the virus to remain dormant, replicating along with the host cell without causing immediate harm.

A class of bacteria known for their role in decomposing organic matter. Examples include Burkholderia cepacia, an opportunistic pathogen in cystic fibrosis patients, and Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the cause of gonorrhea.

The largest and most diverse class of bacteria. Includes familiar examples like Escherichia coli, a key component of our gut microbiota, and potentially pathogenic strains like Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Vibrio cholerae.

A bacterial class that includes predators and sulfate reducers. For example, Bdellovibrio preys on other bacteria, while Desulfovibrio is crucial for the sulfur cycle.

A group of bacteria with helical or curved shapes, often found in oxygen-poor environments. Helicobacter pylori, a cause of peptic ulcers, is a notable example.

A group of bacteria known for their thin, flexible, helical shape. They move using axial filaments or endoflagella, which resemble internal flagella. Examples of pathogenic species include Treponema pallidum (syphilis) and Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme disease).

A class of bacteria primarily found in the human gut. They are obligate anaerobes, meaning they require an oxygen-free environment. Bacteroides fragilis is an important species for gut health, but can cause infections if introduced to sterile sites.

Visualizes internal structures with high resolution.

Produces 3D images of surface structures.

The time required to reduce microbial numbers by 90% at a specific temperature.

Encloses the cell's DNA, acting as the control center for cellular processes.

The site of ATP production, powering cellular work. It's like the cell's power plant.

In plants and algae, these organelles capture sunlight to produce energy through photosynthesis, making them the cell's solar panels.

The process of converting glucose into pyruvate, generating a small amount of ATP and reducing equivalents like NADH.

The process of using light energy to generate ATP and NADPH. It's like the first stage of photosynthesis.

The time required to kill 90% of a microbial population at a specific temperature. It's used to assess the effectiveness of heat treatment.

A physical method that uses UV light to damage microbial DNA. It's effective for surface sterilization but doesn't penetrate deeply.

The etiological agent of COVID-19, a pandemic respiratory illness.

An operon is a group of genes that are transcribed together as a single unit. They are regulated by a common promoter and operator region.

An inducible operon is activated by the presence of its substrate. This means that the genes are only transcribed when the substrate is present.

A repressible operon is inhibited by the presence of its product. This means that the genes are transcribed only when the product is absent.

Point mutations are changes in a single nucleotide within a gene. Frameshift mutations result from insertions or deletions of nucleotides, which shift the reading frame of the gene.

Transformation is the uptake of foreign DNA from the environment by a bacterial cell.

Conjugation is the direct transfer of DNA from one bacterium to another through a pilus.

Transduction is the transfer of bacterial DNA by a virus.

Broad-spectrum antibiotics are effective against a wide range of bacterial species, while narrow-spectrum antibiotics target specific types of bacteria.