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Questions and Answers
Which of the following kingdoms includes yeast?
What is the primary goal of infection control measures?
Which of the following is NOT a cause of antibiotic resistance?
What is a characteristic of eukaryotic cells?
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What is the primary function of microbial respiration?
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Which of the following is an example of contact transmission?
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What is the term for the presence of microorganisms in the body?
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What is the purpose of environmental cleaning and disinfection in infection control?
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Which of the following is an example of a microorganism that can be beneficial?
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What is the term for the harm or impairment caused by an infection?
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What is a key feature of viruses?
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What is the typical shape of fungi?
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What is the role of microbes in ecosystems?
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What is the purpose of antibiotics?
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What is a concern related to antibiotic use?
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Study Notes
Microbe Classification
- Microbes are classified into several groups based on their characteristics:
- Bacteria: prokaryotic cells, lack a true nucleus, and cell wall composed of peptidoglycan
- Viruses: infectious particles composed of genetic material and protein coat
- Fungi: eukaryotic cells, cell wall composed of chitin, and obtain nutrients by decomposing organic matter
- Protozoa: single-celled eukaryotes, motile, and feed on bacteria and other microbes
- Parasites: organisms that live on or in another organism (host) and feed on its tissues
Antibiotic Resistance
- Definition: the ability of microbes to withstand the effects of antibiotics
- Causes:
- Overuse and misuse of antibiotics
- Genetic mutation and selection
- Horizontal gene transfer
- Mechanisms:
- Enzyme-mediated inactivation of antibiotics
- Alteration of antibiotic target
- Reduced permeability to antibiotics
- Active efflux of antibiotics
- Consequences:
- Increased morbidity and mortality
- Longer hospital stays and higher healthcare costs
- Increased risk of transmission of resistant microbes
Epidemiology
- Definition: the study of the distribution and determinants of health-related events or diseases
- Types of epidemiological studies:
- Observational studies: examine the relationship between risk factors and disease
- Experimental studies: intervene to prevent or treat disease
- Measures of disease frequency:
- Incidence rate: number of new cases per unit of time
- Prevalence rate: total number of cases per unit of time
- Epidemic investigation:
- Identify the cause of the outbreak
- Determine the mode of transmission
- Develop control measures to prevent further spread
Infection Control
- Definition: practices and procedures to prevent and control the spread of infections
- Key components:
- Hand hygiene: proper hand washing and use of hand sanitizers
- Personal protective equipment (PPE): use of gloves, masks, and gowns
- Environmental cleaning: regular cleaning and disinfection of surfaces and equipment
- Sterilization and disinfection: proper sterilization and disinfection of equipment and supplies
- Isolation precautions:
- Contact precautions: for patients with infectious diseases
- Droplet precautions: for patients with respiratory infections
- Airborne precautions: for patients with airborne infections
Immunology
- Definition: the study of the immune system and its functions
- Immune system components:
- Innate immunity: non-specific defense against pathogens
- Adaptive immunity: specific defense against pathogens
- Humoral immunity: antibody-mediated response
- Cell-mediated immunity: T-cell mediated response
- Immune response:
- Recognition of pathogens by immune cells
- Activation of immune cells
- Elimination of pathogens
- Immunization:
- Active immunity: vaccination to stimulate immune response
- Passive immunity: administration of antibodies to provide immediate protection
Microbe Classification
- Bacteria have prokaryotic cells, lack a true nucleus, and have a cell wall composed of peptidoglycan.
- Viruses are infectious particles composed of genetic material and a protein coat.
- Fungi have eukaryotic cells, a cell wall composed of chitin, and obtain nutrients by decomposing organic matter.
- Protozoa are single-celled eukaryotes, motile, and feed on bacteria and other microbes.
- Parasites are organisms that live on or in another organism (host) and feed on its tissues.
Antibiotic Resistance
- Antibiotic resistance is the ability of microbes to withstand the effects of antibiotics.
- Causes of antibiotic resistance include overuse and misuse of antibiotics, genetic mutation and selection, and horizontal gene transfer.
- Mechanisms of antibiotic resistance include enzyme-mediated inactivation of antibiotics, alteration of antibiotic target, reduced permeability to antibiotics, and active efflux of antibiotics.
- Consequences of antibiotic resistance include increased morbidity and mortality, longer hospital stays and higher healthcare costs, and increased risk of transmission of resistant microbes.
Epidemiology
- Epidemiology is the study of the distribution and determinants of health-related events or diseases.
- Types of epidemiological studies include observational studies, which examine the relationship between risk factors and disease, and experimental studies, which intervene to prevent or treat disease.
- Measures of disease frequency include incidence rate, which is the number of new cases per unit of time, and prevalence rate, which is the total number of cases per unit of time.
- Epidemic investigation involves identifying the cause of the outbreak, determining the mode of transmission, and developing control measures to prevent further spread.
Infection Control
- Infection control includes practices and procedures to prevent and control the spread of infections.
- Key components of infection control include hand hygiene, personal protective equipment (PPE), environmental cleaning, sterilization and disinfection.
- Isolation precautions include contact precautions for patients with infectious diseases, droplet precautions for patients with respiratory infections, and airborne precautions for patients with airborne infections.
Immunology
- Immunology is the study of the immune system and its functions.
- Immune system components include innate immunity, adaptive immunity, humoral immunity, and cell-mediated immunity.
- The immune response involves recognition of pathogens by immune cells, activation of immune cells, and elimination of pathogens.
- Immunization methods include active immunity, which involves vaccination to stimulate an immune response, and passive immunity, which involves administration of antibodies to provide immediate protection.
Microbe Classification
- Microbes are classified into six kingdoms: Archaea, Bacteria, Protista, Fungi, Plantae, and Animalia.
- Classification is based on cell structure and function, metabolic processes, genetic characteristics, and evolutionary relationships.
Antibiotic Resistance
- Antibiotic resistance occurs when microorganisms develop ways to survive despite antibiotic treatment.
- Causes of antibiotic resistance include overuse and misuse of antibiotics, genetic mutations, and horizontal gene transfer.
- Consequences of antibiotic resistance include increased morbidity and mortality, increased healthcare costs, and limited treatment options.
Infection Control
- Infection control measures include hand hygiene, sterilization and disinfection, isolation precautions, vaccination, and surveillance and monitoring.
- Goals of infection control are to prevent transmission of microorganisms, reduce risk of infection, and protect patients, healthcare workers, and the community.
Microbe Structure
- Prokaryotic cells (bacteria and archaea) lack a true nucleus, have a cell wall and plasma membrane, and are typically small and simple.
- Eukaryotic cells (fungi, protists, and some bacteria) have a true nucleus, membrane-bound organelles, and are typically larger and more complex.
Yeast
- Yeast is a type of fungus that is single-celled, eukaryotic, and has fermentative metabolism.
- Yeast can be beneficial (e.g., baking, brewing) or pathogenic (e.g., Candida).
Respiration
- Microbial respiration includes aerobic respiration (uses oxygen), anaerobic respiration (does not use oxygen), and fermentation (breaks down glucose without oxygen).
- Respiration is important for energy production and influences microbial metabolism and behavior.
Spread and Disease
- Microbes can spread through airborne transmission, contact transmission, vector transmission, and contaminated food and water.
- Disease caused by microorganisms includes infection (presence of microorganisms in the body) and disease (infection that causes harm or impairment), with examples including tuberculosis, influenza, and HIV/AIDS.
Infection Control (Additional Notes)
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) includes gloves, gowns, masks, and eye protection.
- Environmental cleaning and disinfection reduces the risk of transmission and targets high-touch surfaces and areas.
- Isolation precautions include contact isolation, droplet isolation, airborne isolation, and implementing precautions based on microorganism and disease transmission.
Microbes
Bacteria
- Lack a true nucleus and have peptidoglycan (Gram-positive) or outer membrane (Gram-negative) cell walls
- Come in various shapes: spherical (cocci), rod-shaped (bacilli), and spiral (spirilla)
- Examples include Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus
Virus
- Not considered cells, lacking cellular organelles
- Composed of genetic material (DNA or RNA, single-stranded or double-stranded) surrounded by a protein coat (capsid)
- Require host cell machinery for replication
- Examples include Influenza, HIV, and Coronavirus
Fungi
- Eukaryotic cells with a true nucleus
- Cell walls composed of chitin
- Can exist as yeast (single-celled) or mold (multicellular)
- Examples include Saccharomyces cerevisiae (baker's yeast) and Candida albicans
Microbial Ecology
- Microbes inhabit almost every environment on Earth
- Interact with their environment and each other through symbiosis, competition, and predation
- Play crucial roles in nutrient cycling, decomposition, and primary production
Antimicrobial Resistance
- Ability of microbes to withstand antimicrobial agents (antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals)
- Arises through natural selection, genetic mutation, and horizontal gene transfer
- Concerns include superbugs, treatment failures, and increased morbidity and mortality
Superbugs
- Multidrug-resistant microbes, often Gram-negative bacteria
- Examples include Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa
- High risk of treatment failure and hospital-acquired infections
Microbe Structure
- Cell membrane: semi-permeable, regulating transport and maintaining cell shape
- Cell wall: provides structural support and maintains cell shape
- Cytoplasm: jelly-like substance, site of metabolic reactions
- Genetic material: DNA or RNA, carrying genetic information
Microbes in Action
- Decomposition: breaking down organic matter, recycling nutrients
- Symbiosis: mutualism (e.g., gut microbiome), commensalism, parasitism
- Fermentation: producing ATP through anaerobic metabolism
- Nitrogen fixation: converting atmospheric nitrogen to ammonia
Microbes Spread and Disease
- Transmission routes: contact, airborne, vector-borne, contaminated surfaces
- Virulence factors: adhesins, invasins, toxins, and capsules
- Host-microbe interactions: adhesion, invasion, immune evasion, and immune modulation
- Disease examples: tuberculosis, influenza, candidiasis, and pneumonia
Antibiotics
- Classifications: natural products, semi-synthetic, synthetic
- Modes of action: inhibiting cell wall synthesis, protein synthesis, or DNA replication
- Examples: penicillin, tetracycline, vancomycin
- Concerns: overuse, misuse, and antibiotic resistance
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Description
Learn about the different types of microbes, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, and parasites. Understand their characteristics and how they are classified.
