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Questions and Answers
What is the main component of bacterial genetic material?
What is the main component of bacterial genetic material?
Capsules in bacteria are typically membrane-bound structures.
Capsules in bacteria are typically membrane-bound structures.
False
What are slime layers primarily composed of in bacteria?
What are slime layers primarily composed of in bacteria?
Polysaccharides
The __________ is able to move in a direction and acts like a propeller in the bacterial cell.
The __________ is able to move in a direction and acts like a propeller in the bacterial cell.
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Match the bacterial components with their descriptions:
Match the bacterial components with their descriptions:
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What is the primary function of the plasma membrane in bacteria?
What is the primary function of the plasma membrane in bacteria?
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Gram-negative bacteria contain sterols in their plasma membrane.
Gram-negative bacteria contain sterols in their plasma membrane.
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What component is included in the plasma membrane of Gram-negative bacteria?
What component is included in the plasma membrane of Gram-negative bacteria?
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The __________ points towards the external environment in the lipid bilayer of bacteria.
The __________ points towards the external environment in the lipid bilayer of bacteria.
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Match the following components with their descriptions:
Match the following components with their descriptions:
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What is a strain in microbiology?
What is a strain in microbiology?
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A species is defined as any collection of living organisms that can interbreed, regardless of their geographical isolation.
A species is defined as any collection of living organisms that can interbreed, regardless of their geographical isolation.
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What are two species mentioned that are part of the Staphylococcus genus?
What are two species mentioned that are part of the Staphylococcus genus?
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Misfolded proteins can exist as multiple ______.
Misfolded proteins can exist as multiple ______.
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Match the following bacterial strains with their characteristics:
Match the following bacterial strains with their characteristics:
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Which of the following correctly describes a Pseudomonas virus?
Which of the following correctly describes a Pseudomonas virus?
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A liger and a tigon are examples of species that interbreed.
A liger and a tigon are examples of species that interbreed.
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The scientific notation for genus and species should be written in ______.
The scientific notation for genus and species should be written in ______.
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What is the typical size range of a bacterial genome?
What is the typical size range of a bacterial genome?
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Capsules in bacteria are not necessary for growth in vitro.
Capsules in bacteria are not necessary for growth in vitro.
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What is the primary function of ribosomes in bacterial cells?
What is the primary function of ribosomes in bacterial cells?
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Plasmids are extra chromosomal pieces of DNA that can replicate __________ within the host.
Plasmids are extra chromosomal pieces of DNA that can replicate __________ within the host.
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Which of the following statements about plasmids is true?
Which of the following statements about plasmids is true?
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Bacterial ribosomes are the same as Eukaryotic ribosomes in size and structure.
Bacterial ribosomes are the same as Eukaryotic ribosomes in size and structure.
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What type of genes do plasmids often carry?
What type of genes do plasmids often carry?
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What is the primary function of sporulation in bacteria?
What is the primary function of sporulation in bacteria?
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Bacterial endospores are metabolically active and grow rapidly.
Bacterial endospores are metabolically active and grow rapidly.
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Name one human disease associated with Clostridium difficile.
Name one human disease associated with Clostridium difficile.
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Bacterial spores are known for their resistance to extreme ___, ___, and ___ conditions.
Bacterial spores are known for their resistance to extreme ___, ___, and ___ conditions.
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Match the bacterial structures to their descriptions:
Match the bacterial structures to their descriptions:
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Which of the following bacterial groups is known for forming endospores?
Which of the following bacterial groups is known for forming endospores?
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The virulence characteristic pXO1 is associated with Bacillus anthracis.
The virulence characteristic pXO1 is associated with Bacillus anthracis.
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What triggers sporulation in bacterial species?
What triggers sporulation in bacterial species?
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What is one method that can increase the frequency of mutation in organisms?
What is one method that can increase the frequency of mutation in organisms?
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The first human-identical insulin, known as humulin, was produced in 1980.
The first human-identical insulin, known as humulin, was produced in 1980.
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Which organism is commonly used for the production of human insulin?
Which organism is commonly used for the production of human insulin?
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Genetic modification can involve ______ genes to improve product yield.
Genetic modification can involve ______ genes to improve product yield.
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Match the following types of mutagenesis with their descriptions:
Match the following types of mutagenesis with their descriptions:
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What factor did random and spontaneous mutagenesis increase production by?
What factor did random and spontaneous mutagenesis increase production by?
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Antibiotics are expensive and difficult to produce.
Antibiotics are expensive and difficult to produce.
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What is one example of a chemical mutagen?
What is one example of a chemical mutagen?
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Bacterial growth requires specific ______ conditions.
Bacterial growth requires specific ______ conditions.
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Which company was involved in licensing the first human-identical insulin?
Which company was involved in licensing the first human-identical insulin?
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Study Notes
Microbiology Textbooks
- Prescott's Microbiology (8th ed.) is published by McGraw-Hill Higher Education.
- Brock Biology of Microorganisms (14th ed.) is published by Pearson.
- Hugo & Russell's Pharmaceutical Microbiology (8th ed.) is published by Blackwell publishing.
- Russell, Hugo & Ayliffe's: Principles and Practice of Disinfection, Preservation and Sterilization (5th ed.) is published by Wiley-Blackwell.
Learning Objectives
- Understand basic microbiology principles.
- Definition of microbiology.
- Characteristics of microorganisms.
- Methods for studying microbes.
- Microbiology's role in human health and wellbeing.
- Microbiology's role in pharmaceuticals and biotechnology.
What is Microbiology?
- Microbiology is the study of microorganisms.
- It includes bacteria, viruses, fungi, archaea, parasites and protozoa.
- It has diverse applications including fermented foods, baking, brewing, wine making, water treatment, agriculture and infectious diseases, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology.
What are Microbes?
- Microorganisms are microscopic (<1mm) and often unicellular.
- Viruses are acellular (not made of cells).
- Fungi can be multicellular structures.
- Found in nearly every environment.
- Humans have greater number of microbes than human cells in the gut.
Top Causes of Death in the UK (1915-2015)
- Data presented as a graph showing the top causes of death in the UK, categorized by age and sex, from 1915 to 2015.
- Causes spanned categories like infections, cancers, heart conditions, etc.
Microbes and Health
- Some microbes are pathogenic (harmful).
- The introduction of penicillin revolutionized medicine by treating infections more effectively.
- Microbes play important roles in non-infectious diseases such as stomach ulcers and obesity.
- "Friendly" bacteria (e.g., E. coli Nissle 1917) are commensals.
- "Unfriendly" bacteria (e.g., E. coli O157:H7) are pathogens.
Normal Flora/Commensals
- Beneficial microorganisms living with the host in a healthy state
- Includes E. coli, lactic acid bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida yeast.
Medical Microbiology, Public Health and Epidemiology.
- Important in identifying diseases tracking outbreaks and developing treatments and vaccinations
- The epidemiology and statistical mechanics of disease, including modelling and spread, is described.
Challenges in Microbiology: Antibiotic Resistance
- Antibiotic resistance has increased due to misuse, overuse, and lack of awareness which has caused millions of deaths.
- The misuse of antibiotics for growth promoters in livestock, non-prescription use and insufficient regulation has increased the spread of resistance.
- Potential loss of $60-100 trillion USD in economic value if resistance is not tackled.
Microbiology in Biotechnology and Industry
- Biology is applied to produce useful products.
- Molecular development further expands its scope in producing products like insulin.
Biotechnology: Industrial Chemicals
- Aspergillus niger (fungus) produces citric acid as part of its metabolic process
- Bacillus licheniformis (bacteria) produces alkaline protease for use in laundry detergents.
- Thousands of tons annually produced globally
Biotechnology: Natural Medicinal Products
- Microbial origin products like antibiotics (penicillins, streptomycin);
- Cholesterol-lowering agents; (lovastatin)
- Neurotoxins (botulinum toxin)
Biotechnology: Recombinant Medicinal Products
- Bacteria can be genetically modified for manufacturing therapeutic proteins (e.g., insulin).
- Recombinant vaccines like Gardasil target specific viruses (HPV).
Microbial Spoilage
- Microbes utilize various substances (including nuclear waste) for nutrients.
- This can lead to deterioration of products such as pharmaceuticals.
Growing Microbes
- Microbes are grown in the lab using solid or liquid media.
- There are specialised media for identifying specific microbes.
Molecular Microbiology
- Extracting genetic components or cell components
- Methods of analysis of extracted materials include: DNA, RNA, Protein, Gene expression, immunologic profiling and sequencing.
Microbial Classification
- Defining classifications, including phylogenetic, taxonomic ranks and nomenclature.
Learning Outcomes
- Differences between cellular and acellular microorganisms.
- Characteristics of main taxonomic groups.
- Microbial classification methods and examples.
Taxonomic Ranks: Species
- Group of living organisms (capable of interbreeding even if geographically isolated).
- Includes strains that share properties and differ from others within groups.
Phenotype Classification
- Observable characteristics or traits of an organism (e.g., morphology, development, biochemical properties).
Serotype Classification
- Variations in cell surface antigens within a species.
Genotype Classification
- Genetic makeup determining characteristics (phenotype) including PCR, base composition, and nucleic acid sequencing and whole genome sequencing.
Phylogenetics/PhyloGenetics
- Biological relationships among organisms using data from DNA/protein sequences.
Microbial Growth and Evolution
–Stages of bacterial growth (lag, log, stationary and death phases).
- Understands the factors affecting how bacterial and viral populations grow/exist.
Microbial Metabolism
- Primary and secondary metabolic pathways play roles in producing cell constituents and products or virulence factors, respectively.
Laboratory Scale Culture
- Batch cultures (e.g. flask cultures)
- Continuous cultures (e.g chemostats) to produce products in a controlled way
Viral Replication
- Replication involving infection and destruction of host cells.
Bacterial Evolution
- Changes in population over time (natural selection related to new mutations and adaptation).
- The role of mutations in bacterial evolution and evolution in antimicrobial resistance.
Bacterial Evolution: Antimicrobial Resistance
- Antibiotic usage can lead to selective pressure on microbes and therefore the evolution of resistance.
Strain Improvement
- Methods to increase the efficiency of production for microbes or to create more effective strains.
Heterologous Gene Expression
- Genes isolated from one organism and expressed in another to create products more efficiently.
Sources of Contamination and Sampling
- Identifying sources of contamination of pharmaceutical products including the environment, equipment, personnel, and products.
- Assessing contamination risks and testing for contamination
Controlling Microbial Contamination
- Methods for minimizing contamination risk through environmental and personnel controls.
- Sanitation, sterilizing processes, and disinfection or antisepsis to minimize the risk.
Aseptic Techniques
- Working with microorganisms can involve aseptic procedures to reduce or eliminate contamination.
- Various tools for contamination reduction include Bunsen burners, laminar flow cabinets, and biosafety cabinets. Methods for preventing and controlling contamination within sterile environments include using isolators, PPE
Environmental Controls
- Using filtered air, clean rooms, and specific water types.
Reducing Contamination from Personnel
- Hand-washing or hand disinfection
- Protective equipment to avoid contamination transfer from people.
Microbial Sampling
- Methods for sampling microbes, including various types of sampling devices, filters, inoculation, incubating and counting samples.
- Methods to count microbes.
Microbial Identification:
- Classification of microbes including biochemical testing, culturing, immunological tests, and molecular methods for identifying specific types.
- Techniques (e.g., PCR, MALDI-TOF, immunologic tests) for identification of microorganisms.
Disease and Pathogenesis
- Overview of infectious diseases
- Understand various infection stages and pathogenic factors.
Bacterial Classification
- Bacteria species are identified by phenotype and genotype characteristics.
Scale of Disease
- Specific terms of disease prevalence and scope (e.g. endemic, epidemic, and pandemic).
Sources of Disease
- Identifying sources of microbes in relation to the spread of disease, including the environment or animals.
Transmission and Exposure
- Understanding how pathogens spread from individual to individual or through contamination of equipment.
Biofilms
- How microbes form a community via growth on a surface.
- Importance of biofilm formation to microbial survival, growth, and potential contamination in therapeutics
Microbial Toxins
- Understanding exotoxins including types, effects, and how they cause diseases.
- Understanding endotoxins and their role in diseases.
Non-bacterial Diseases: Mycotic Infections
- Causes, characteristics, and classification of fungal diseases.
Non-bacterial Diseases: Viral Infections
- Overview, sources or causes, classifications, characteristics, and disease spread patterns of viral diseases.
Extra Readings
- Includes specific readings to consult for more specific information about the topics.
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Description
Test your knowledge about bacterial genetics and structures with this quiz. It covers key components like plasma membranes, capsules, and the unique characteristics of gram-negative bacteria. Perfect for students studying microbiology and bacterial biology.
