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Questions and Answers
Which of the following diseases is caused by prions?
Which of the following diseases is caused by prions?
What is the correct format for naming a bacterium's scientific name?
What is the correct format for naming a bacterium's scientific name?
Who is known for the discovery of the germ theory of disease?
Who is known for the discovery of the germ theory of disease?
What is typically the first part of a microorganism's scientific name?
What is typically the first part of a microorganism's scientific name?
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Which of the following bacteria is identified by its genus 'Streptococcus'?
Which of the following bacteria is identified by its genus 'Streptococcus'?
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Why is it important for nurses to understand microbiology?
Why is it important for nurses to understand microbiology?
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Which of the following is NOT a useful role of microorganisms in the environment?
Which of the following is NOT a useful role of microorganisms in the environment?
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What type of reproduction do bacteria primarily use?
What type of reproduction do bacteria primarily use?
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Which of the following structures is typically absent in bacteria but present in human cells?
Which of the following structures is typically absent in bacteria but present in human cells?
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Which structure is present in gram-positive bacteria but absent in gram-negative bacteria?
Which structure is present in gram-positive bacteria but absent in gram-negative bacteria?
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What process do bacteria commonly use for reproduction?
What process do bacteria commonly use for reproduction?
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What is the function of a glycocalyx in bacteria?
What is the function of a glycocalyx in bacteria?
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Which of the following best describes a protozoan?
Which of the following best describes a protozoan?
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Which of the following is NOT a major shape of bacteria?
Which of the following is NOT a major shape of bacteria?
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What is one of the major contributions of microbiology to health care?
What is one of the major contributions of microbiology to health care?
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Which component is characteristic of gram-negative bacteria?
Which component is characteristic of gram-negative bacteria?
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Which type of microorganism is known for not having cellular structures?
Which type of microorganism is known for not having cellular structures?
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What is the primary function of flagella in bacteria?
What is the primary function of flagella in bacteria?
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Which of the following is a method to control infections?
Which of the following is a method to control infections?
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What defines a prion?
What defines a prion?
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What do all viruses lack compared to bacteria?
What do all viruses lack compared to bacteria?
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Study Notes
Importance of Microbiology in Nursing
- Nurses should have knowledge of microbiology to prevent infections and understand the risks and causes of diseases.
- Nurses should know how diseases spread, how to diagnose them, and how to treat them.
- Nurses should know how to perform tests to detect and identify infectious agents.
- Nurses should be able to implement adequate infection control policies.
The Useful Roles of Microorganisms
- Many microorganisms play vital roles in the environment, including decomposition, nutrient cycling, and the production of food and medicine.
- They’re used in food production, like cheese, yoghurt, and bread.
- Microorganisms are crucial for the bioremediation of pollutants, removing harmful substances from soil and water.
Microorganism Structures
- Microorganisms are distinct from human cells in their structures.
Bacteria
- Similarities to Human Cells: Contain DNA, RNA, and ribosomes.
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Differences from Human Cells:
- Lack a true nucleus
- Contain a cell wall
- Possess different cellular structures such as flagella, pili, and capsules.
Fungus
- Similarities to Human Cells: Have a nucleus, cytoplasm, and cell membrane.
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Differences from Human Cells:
- Heterotrophic (obtain nutrients from organic sources, unlike human cells that are primarily autotrophic)
- Chitin cell wall instead of cellulose
- Have hyphae for structure and nutrient absorption.
Viruses
- Similarities to Human Cells: None.
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Differences from Human Cells:
- Not considered living organisms
- Contain only a nucleic acid core (DNA or RNA) enveloped in a protein coat
- Require a host cell to replicate.
Protozoa
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Similarities to Human Cells:
- Eukaryotes (have a nucleus)
- Contain organelles
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Differences from Human Cells:
- Primarily heterotrophic and unicellular
- May be motile, using flagella, cilia or pseudopodia for movement
Prions
- Similarities to Human Cells: None
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Differences from Human Cells
- A misfolded protein causing neurodegenerative diseases.
Processes of Reproduction
- Bacteria: They reproduce asexually through binary fission, where a single cell divides into two identical daughter cells.
- Viruses: Viruses reproduce by hijacking the host cell. The virus injects its genetic material into the host cell, using the host's cellular machinery to create new viral particles.
Extracellular Bacterial Structures
- Glycocalyx: A sticky, protective layer that surrounds the cell wall, helping bacteria adhere to surfaces and evade host defenses.
- Flagella: Whip-like appendages that enable bacterial movement.
- Fimbriae: Hair-like projections that help bacteria attach to surfaces.
Gram-Positive and Gram-Negative Bacteria
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Bacterial component Gram-positive Gram-negative Peptidoglycan layer (cell wall) Thick Thin Plasma membrane Single layer Double layers (inner and outer membrane) Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) Absent Present
Shape and Size of Bacteria
- Coccus (plural: cocci): Spherical shaped. Examples include Staphylococcus aureus (causes skin infections, food poisoning, and pneumonia), Streptococcus pneumoniae (causes pneumonia, ear infections, and meningitis).
- Bacillus (plural: bacilli) : Rod-shaped. Examples include Bacillus anthracis (causes anthrax) and Clostridium tetani (causes tetanus).
- Vibrios: Curved rod-shaped. Examples include Vibrio cholerae (causes cholera).
- Spirilla: Spiral shaped. Examples include Treponema pallidum (causes syphilis).
Viruses
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General structure
- Viruses are composed of a core of nucleic acid (DNA or RNA), surrounded by a protein coating called a capsid. Some viruses have an outer envelope.
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Reproduction
- They attach to a host cell, inject their genetic material into the host cell, hijack the host cell's machinery to replicate and then burst out of the host cell, releasing new virus particles.
Prions
- What is a prion? They are misfolded proteins that have the ability to cause other proteins to misfold and aggregate. This aggregation leads to the formation of amyloid plaques which can damage brain tissue.
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Diseases caused by prions:
- Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) in humans.
- Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), also known as mad cow disease.
Historical Perspectives of Microbiology
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Scientist Discovery Leeuwenhoek First to describe microorganisms using a microscope. Hooke Discovered the cell. Pasteur Developed the germ theory of disease. Disproved spontaneous generation. Developed vaccines for rabies and anthrax. Semmelweiss Introduced handwashing in hospitals to prevent the spread of puerperal fever. Lister Promoted the use of antiseptics in surgery to reduce infections. Koch Developed Koch's postulates, a set of criteria used to establish the causative link between a specific microorganism and a specific disease. Fleming Discovered penicillin, the first antibiotic. Florey & Chain Further investigated the properties of penicillin and made it a practical drug. Macfarlane Burnet Investigated the immune system, proposing the clonal selection theory, which explains how the immune system recognizes and attacks specific pathogens. Doherty & Zinkernagel Discovered how the immune system recognizes virus-infected cells, a critical step in the fight against viral infections. Warren & Marshall Discovered the role of Helicobacter pylori in the development of peptic ulcers. Frazer Led research on the human gut microbiome and its role in health and disease.
Nomenclature of Microorganisms
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Microorganisms are typically named using a two-name system:
- Genus (first name, capitalized)
- species (second name, lowercase)
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Both names are written in italics.
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Escherichia coli can be abbreviated as E. coli.
- Names are typically based on the discoverer's name, the organism's shape or its geographic location.
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Examples:
- Escherichia coli (named after Theodor Escherich) - Found in the colon of humans
- Streptococcus pneumoniae (named after its chain-like arrangement and ability to cause pneumonia)
- Neisseria gonorrhoeae (named after Albert Neisser) - Causes gonorrhoea
- Bordetella pertussis (named after Jules Bordet and causes pertussis)
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Description
This quiz explores the critical role of microbiology in nursing, focusing on infection prevention, disease understanding, and treatment methods. It also highlights the beneficial roles of microorganisms in the environment and their structural differences from human cells. Test your knowledge on the essential concepts that every nursing professional should be aware of.
