Microbiology and Public Health Quiz

Study Notes

Microbiology studies diverse microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
Microorganisms can exist as single cells or clusters; they are generally microscopic and require a microscope for observation.
"Micro" implies invisibility to the naked eye.

Parasitology is the study of parasites, most of which can be seen, while some require microscopy.
Parasites necessitate direct contact with the host for nutrient acquisition. Not all parasites are worms.

Public health focuses on three primary aims:
- Preventive disease strategies
- Promotion of health
- Prolongation of life through community efforts

Tyndallization is an intermittent sterilization process, also known as fractional sterilization.

Benjamin Martin published "A New Theory of Consumption," contributing to early microbiology.

Discovered Bacillus anthracis, the first microorganism to satisfy Koch’s Postulates.
Identified Mycobacterium tuberculosis as a significant pathogen.
Koch's Postulates outline criteria for linking microorganisms to diseases:
- A healthy person should not possess the microorganism.
- Microorganisms from a disease-affected person should be isolated and cultivated in pure culture.
- Inoculation of a healthy person with the microorganism should result in disease.
- The microorganism must be re-isolated from the experimentally infected host.

Normal flora are bacteria that reside in the body and typically do not cause disease unless displaced.
Common normal flora locations:
- Mouth
- Colon (largest population)
- Skin (e.g., Staphylococcus epidermidis)
- Nose (e.g., Staphylococcus aureus)

Robert Hooke: Discovered cells, termed "little boxes," and established early cell theory; known as the father of cytology.
Anton Van Leeuwenhoek: The first to observe live microorganisms, called "animalcules," and is recognized as the father of microbiology.

Spontaneous generation theory proposed that living organisms arise from non-living matter.
Key figures:
- Francesco Redi: Demonstrated through experiments that spontaneous generation was false (e.g., maggots from meat in jar experiments).
- John Needham: Supported spontaneous generation with broth experiments.
- Lazzaro Spallanzani: Findings reinforced Redi's conclusions by showing that sealed broth jars do not develop life.