Microbiology Unit 1: Microorganisms and Germ Theory

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What is the primary function of flagella in prokaryotic cells?

To facilitate cell-to-cell communication

To synthesize cell wall components

To aid in the movement of bacteria (correct)

To provide structural support

What is the term for the movement of water into a cell through a selectively permeable membrane?

Osmosis (correct)

Passive transport

Facilitated diffusion

Active transport

Which of the following scientists is credited with developing the Germ Theory of Disease?

Robert Koch

Ferdinand Cohn

Louis Pasteur (correct)

Ignaz Semmelweis

What is the term for the complex aggregations of microorganisms that adhere to surfaces and are resistant to antimicrobial agents?

Biofilms Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary component of the bacterial cell wall?

Peptidoglycan Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the microorganisms that are able to survive in extreme environments?

Hypothermaphiles Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of traditional recombinant DNA technology?

To introduce genetic changes to an organism's genome Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of Taq polymerase in PCR?

To amplify DNA sequences Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of guide RNA in CRISPR?

To recognize and guide Cas-9 to the target DNA sequence Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic shape of helical viruses?

Rod-shaped Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a plaque in microbiology?

To visualize viral growth Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary advantage of phage therapy over antibiotics?

Phage therapy targets specific bacterial populations Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the ligase enzyme during DNA replication?

Repairing gaps between nucleotides Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the process of creating an RNA copy from a DNA template?

Transcription Signup and view all the answers

Which type of fungal infection is characterized by the ability to exist in two different forms, depending on the environment?

Dimorphic Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the genetic material that is actually expressed in an organism's traits?

Phenotype Signup and view all the answers

Which antihelminthic medication works by preventing the production of ATP in helminths?

Vermox Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the process of using helminths to treat certain medical conditions?

Helminthic therapy Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the microorganisms that are normally present on or in a healthy individual?

Normal flora Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the process by which a pathogen evades the host's immune system?

Evasion Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for a disease that can be transmitted from one individual to another?

Communicable Signup and view all the answers

What are the three stages of an infection?

Incubation, prodromal, and illness Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for a pathogen that takes advantage of a host's compromised immune system?

Opportunistic pathogen Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the presence of microorganisms in the blood?

Bacteremia Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of helper T cells in the immune system?

To activate B cells and stimulate antibody production Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecules in the immune system?

To present antigens to T cells Signup and view all the answers

What is the mechanism of action of cytotoxic T cells?

They release cytotoxins that kill infected cells Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of interleukins in the immune system?

To activate T cells and stimulate an immune response Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between natural and artificial immunity?

Natural immunity is acquired through infection, while artificial immunity is acquired through vaccination Signup and view all the answers

What is the mechanism of action of mRNA COVID vaccines?

They introduce a piece of genetic material that instructs cells to produce a protein, which stimulates an immune response Signup and view all the answers