Week 1 Introduction to the Microbial World
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Questions and Answers

What is taxonomy?

Taxonomy is the classification, description, identification, and naming of living organisms.

Who introduced Linnaean taxonomy?

  • Carolus Linnaeus (correct)
  • Aristotle
  • Charles Darwin
  • Gregor Mendel

What is the most specific and basic taxonomic unit?

Species

The original kingdom for Linnaean taxonomy included animal, plant, mineral, and bacteria.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the human microbiome map reveal about the distribution of microbes in the body?

<p>The human microbiome map shows that different parts of the body have distinct microbiomes, and the closer microbes are on the map, the more similar they are.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Microbiomes vary based on lifestyle, diet, and environmental factors.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is binomial nomenclature?

<p>Binomial nomenclature is a two-word naming system for living organisms, consisting of the genus and species.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are two examples of naming conventions in binomial nomenclature?

<p>The genus name is capitalized, and the species name is not. Both genus and species names are italicized.</p> Signup and view all the answers

From which languages are the names of organisms typically derived?

<p>Names for organisms are usually derived from Latin, Greek, or English.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Most microorganisms are multicellular.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the two main categories of organisms based on cell structure?

<p>Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the characteristics of prokaryotic organisms?

<p>Prokaryotic organisms are single-celled, lack a nucleus, have a single circular chromosome, and lack organelles.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are two examples of prokaryotic microorganisms?

<p>Bacteria and Archaea</p> Signup and view all the answers

Bacteria are found in almost every habitat on Earth.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are some examples of shapes found in bacteria?

<p>Spherical (coccus), rod-shaped (bacillus), curved (vibrio, spirillum, spirochete).</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describe the types of metabolism found in bacteria?

<p>Both photosynthetic and non-photosynthetic (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Archaea usually have cell walls composed of peptidoglycan.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Where are archaea commonly found?

<p>Archaea are often found in extreme environments, such as hot springs, salt lakes, and deep sea vents.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Archaea are a known cause of human pathogens.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are some examples of protists?

<p>Examples include algae (photosynthetic with cellulose cell walls) and protozoa (diverse, motile organisms, some pathogenic).</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are some examples of fungi?

<p>Examples include yeasts (unicellular, used in food production, some pathogenic) and molds (multicellular, decomposers, some produce antibiotics).</p> Signup and view all the answers

Viruses are considered to be cellular organisms.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What do viruses consist of?

<p>Viruses consist of proteins and genetic material, either RNA or DNA.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Viruses can only infect certain types of cells.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are some ways that pathogenic microorganisms can be spread through the air?

<p>Pathogenic microorganisms can be spread through respiratory droplets or aerosols from infected individuals.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are some other ways that pathogenic microorganisms can be spread?

<p>Water, Food, Surfaces, Soil, Animals, Human Contact (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is symbiosis?

<p>Symbiosis refers to the close relationship between two or more different species living together in close proximity.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is mutualism?

<p>Mutualism is type of symbiosis where both populations benefit.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Describe a mutualistic relationship discussed in the text.

<p>Escherichia coli in the large intestine benefits by receiving nutrients from us, while it produces vitamin K that is beneficial for us.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Explain the relationship between Lucilia sericata and Staphylococcus aureus as an example of amensalism.

<p>Lucilia sericata, a species of blowfly, produces a protein that destroys Staphylococcus aureus, a bacterium commonly found on human skin. Excessive handwashing can disrupt this interaction, potentially leading to S. aureus infections.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is commensalism?

<p>Commensalism is a type of symbiosis where one population benefits, but the other remains unaffected.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Much our microbiome consists of commensals.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is parasitism?

<p>Parasitism is a type of symbiosis where one population benefits while the other is harmed.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are some categories of dysbiosis?

<p>All of the above (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Dysbiosis can lead only to digestive issues, not other health issues.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Taxonomy

The science of classifying, describing, identifying, and naming living organisms.

Binominal Nomenclature

A two-word naming system for organisms, consisting of the genus and species names.

Species

The most specific and basic taxonomic unit in the Linnaean system. A group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring.

Microbiome

A collection of microorganisms that live in a particular environment, such as the human body.

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Mutualism

A type of symbiotic relationship where both populations benefit.

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Amensalism

A type of symbiotic relationship where one population harms the other while the other is unaffected.

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Commensalism

A type of symbiotic relationship where one population benefits while the other is unaffected.

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Neutralism

A type of symbiotic relationship where both populations are unaffected.

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Parasitism

A type of symbiotic relationship where one population benefits at the expense of the other.

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Prokaryotic Organism

A single-celled organism that lacks a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles.

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Eukaryotic Organism

A single-celled organism that contains a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles.

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Bacteria

A group of prokaryotic microorganisms that are found in almost every habitat on Earth.

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Archaea

A group of prokaryotic microorganisms that are often found in extreme environments and lack peptidoglycan in their cell walls.

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Protists

A type of eukaryotic microorganism that includes algae and protozoa.

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Fungi

A type of eukaryotic microorganism that includes yeasts and molds.

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Virus

A non-cellular infectious agent that consists of proteins and genetic material (DNA or RNA) and can infect all types of cells.

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Dysbiosis

An imbalance of the microbial community, particularly in the gut, which can lead to diseases.

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Coccus

A spherical shaped bacteria.

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Bacillus

A rod-shaped bacteria.

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Vibrio, Spirillum, Spirochete

A curved-shaped bacteria.

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Photosynthetic Bacteria

Bacteria that can produce their own food through photosynthesis.

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Non-photosynthetic Bacteria

Bacteria that cannot produce their own food and must obtain nutrients from the environment.

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Metabolism

The process of releasing energy from food or other sources in order to perform cellular functions.

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Toxigenic Bacteria

A type of bacteria that produces toxins that can harm other bacteria or organisms.

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Pathogenic Bacteria

Bacteria that can cause diseases in living organisms.

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Decomposers

A type of bacteria that can break down organic matter, such as dead plants and animals.

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Human Microbiome

The collection of all microorganisms that live in and on the human body.

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Symbiosis

Organisms that are living in close proximity to each other.

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Fomites

Objects or surfaces that can harbor and transmit pathogens.

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Microbial Ecology

The study of how microorganisms interact with each other and with their environment.

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Escherichia coli

An important type of bacteria found in the human gut that produces vitamin K and other beneficial substances.

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Study Notes

Taxonomy

  • Taxonomy is the science of classifying, describing, identifying, and naming living organisms
  • Carolus Linnaeus introduced Linnaean taxonomy in 1735, organizing organisms into hierarchical levels like kingdom, class, order, family, genus, and species.
  • Species is the most specific and basic taxonomic unit.
  • Initially, the kingdoms in this taxonomy were animal, plant, and mineral.

Human Microbiome Map

  • Points closer together on a map represent more similar microbiomes
  • Points further apart represent more dissimilar microbiomes
  • Different body parts have distinct microbiomes
  • Microbiomes vary depending on lifestyle, diet, and environmental factors.

Naming Microbes

  • Microbes are named using binomial nomenclature (two-word naming system), using the genus (capitalized) and species (not capitalized) names, both italicized.
  • Names are derived from Latin, Greek or English.

Types of Microorganisms

  • Microorganisms vary in size, structure, habitat, and metabolism.
  • Most are unicellular.

Prokaryotic vs Eukaryotic

  • Prokaryotes:
    • Single-celled
    • Lack a nucleus
    • Single circular chromosome
    • Lacks organelles
  • Eukaryotes:
    • Single or multicellular
    • Contain a nucleus
    • DNA consists of multiple linear chromosomes
    • Contains organelles

Prokaryotic Microorganisms (Bacteria & Archaea)

  • Bacteria:
    • Found in various habitats
    • Shapes include spherical (coccus), rod-shaped (bacillus), curved (vibrio, spirillum, spirochete).
    • Metabolism can be photosynthetic (e.g., cyanobacteria) or non-photosynthetic.
  • Archaea:
    • A distinct group
    • Exhibit varied metabolism

Eukaryotic Microorganisms

  • Protists:
    • Examples include Algae (photosynthetic, cell walls of cellulose), and Protozoa (diverse and motile).
  • Fungi:
    • Include yeasts (unicellular, used in food production) and molds (multicellular, decomposers). Some produce antibiotics.

Viruses

  • Acellular (no cells)
  • Consist of proteins and genetic material (RNA or DNA)
  • Can infect all types of cells

Microbial Sources of Infection

  • Water: Contaminated drinking water or recreational water sources
  • Food: Improperly cooked or contaminated food
  • Surfaces: Contaminated objects or surfaces (fomites)
  • Soil: Soil contaminated with pathogens, especially in agricultural settings.
  • Animals: Direct contact with infected animals or their waste products
  • Human Contact: Direct contact with infected individuals, bodily fluids, and sexual contact.

Symbiosis

  • Symbiosis describes organisms living together closely.

Mutualism

  • A type of symbiosis where both populations benefit.
    • Example: Escherichia coli in the large intestine produces Vitamin K and gets nutrients from the host.

Amensalism

  • A type of symbiosis where one population is harmed, and the other is unaffected.

Commensalism

  • One population benefits, and the other is unaffected.
  • Example: Staphylococcus epidermis residing on our skin benefits, while the host isn't affected or harmed.

Neutralism

  • Both populations are unaffected by the interaction.

Parasitism

  • One organism benefits (the parasite), while the other is harmed (the host).
  • Example: Disease-causing bacteria, viruses, fungi, etc., like Salmonella, Vibrio cholerae, Helicobacter pylori, and Hepatitis B.

Dysbiosis

  • An imbalance in the microbial community, particularly in the gut.
  • This can lead to various disease conditions caused by categories like:
    • Loss of beneficial organisms
    • Excessive growth of harmful organisms
    • Loss of overall microbial diversity

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Week 1 Introduction to the Microbial World PDF

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