Microbiology Exam 1 Review - Chapters 1-3

Outbreaks

• Anthrax: Caused by Bacillus anthracis.
• Cholera: Caused by Vibrio cholerae.

Definitions

• Microbiology: Study of microorganisms, organisms invisible to the naked eye.
• Microorganisms (microbes): Organisms that require a microscope for observation.
• Taxonomy: System for naming and classifying organisms based on morphology and physiology.
• Prokaryote: Organism without a membrane-bound nucleus (e.g., bacteria).
• Eukaryote: Organism with a nucleus (e.g., plants, animals, fungi, protists).
• Spontaneous Generation (abiogenesis): Concept of life arising from non-living matter.
• Biogenesis: Theory that all living things arise from other living things.
• Hypothesis: An educated guess.
• Theory: Well-supported explanations based on scientific evidence.
• Morphology: Study of organisms’ structure and appearance.
• Etiology: Investigation of disease causes.
• Germ theory: Concept that microorganisms cause diseases.
• Pathogen: Specific microbes that lead to diseases.
• Fermentation: Process where sugar is converted to alcohol or other byproducts.
• Pasteurization: Method of heating to kill most bacteria before yeast addition.
• Bioremediation: Use of microbes to clean environmental pollutants.
• Chemotherapy: Use of chemicals for disease treatment, discovering "magic bullets."

Key Figures in Microbiology

• Antoni van Leeuwenhoek (1632-1723)

  • Dutch merchant known for pioneering microscopy.
  • First to observe living microbes including prokaryotes, fungi, protozoa, algae, and small animals.

• Carolus Linnaeus (1707-1778)

  • Developed a systematic nomenclature for organisms.
  • Taxonomy: Naming and classifying organisms based on morphology and physiology.

Writing Organism Names

• Genus: Always capitalized.
• Specific epithet: Always lowercase.
• Typing: Italics.
• Handwritten: Underlined.

Three Domains of Life

• Bacteria: Prokaryotic cells without a membrane-bound nucleus.

• Archaea: Prokaryotic, metabolically diverse, inhabiting extreme environments.

• Eukarya: Eukaryotic cells with a nucleus (e.g., plants, animals, fungi, protists).

• Viruses: Acellular entities not part of the three domains, lacking cellular structure.

Golden Age of Microbiology Questions

• Possibility of spontaneous generation of microbial life?
• What causes fermentation?
• What are the causes of diseases?
• Methods to prevent infection or disease?

Spontaneous Generation Debate Contributors

• Aristotle: Proposed spontaneous generation in 384-322 BC.
• Francesco Redi: Challenged spontaneous generation in the 1600s with a meat experiment; concluded flies came from other flies.
• John Turberville Needham: Supported spontaneous generation in the 1740s through a broth experiment; saw microbial growth in inadequately sealed flasks.
• Lazzaro Spallanzani: Disproved spontaneous generation in 1799; demonstrated no microbial growth in properly sealed flasks.
• Louis Pasteur: Conclusively disproved spontaneous generation in the 1860s using swan-neck flasks; demonstrated that life arises from pre-existing life, cementing the theory of biogenesis.

Prepare for your Microbiology Exam 1 with this review sheet covering Chapters 1 to 3. This quiz focuses on the history, overview, and specific outbreaks of Anthrax and Cholera, along with key definitions in microbiology. Test your understanding of microorganisms and taxonomy.