Week 1 Introduction to the Microbial World
35 Questions
1 Views

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

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

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

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

    Archaea usually have cell walls composed of peptidoglycan.

    <p>False</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</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</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</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</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</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</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    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

    Studying That Suits You

    Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

    Quiz Team

    Related Documents

    Week 1 Introduction to the Microbial World PDF

    More Like This

    Biology: Taxonomy and Classification
    17 questions

    Biology: Taxonomy and Classification

    PremierObsidian avatar
    PremierObsidian
    Microbiology Classification
    10 questions

    Microbiology Classification

    ResoundingSaturn avatar
    ResoundingSaturn
    Microbiology: Taxonomy and Classification
    24 questions

    Microbiology: Taxonomy and Classification

    FervidPlatinum avatar
    FervidPlatinum
    Domain Classification in Microbiology
    23 questions

    Domain Classification in Microbiology

    ConscientiousTerbium avatar
    ConscientiousTerbium
    Use Quizgecko on...
    Browser
    Open
    Browser
    Browser