Microbiology
the scientific study of microorganisms, that is, of bacteria, fungi, intracellular parasites, protozoans, viruses, and some worms
Normal Flora
mixture of bacteria normally found at specific body sites
Pathogenic
Productive of disease
Virulence
Relative power and degree of pathogenicity possessed by organisms to produce disease
Protists
any member of the kingdom Protista; organisms that include the protozoa, unicellular and multicellular algae, and the slime molds
Prokaryotes
in taxonomy, the kingdom of organisms with prokaryotic cell structure; they lack membrane-bound cell organelles and a nuclear membrane around the chromosome
Eukaryotes
organisms in which the cell nucleus is surrounded by a membrane
Cilia
thread like projections from the free surface of certain epithelial cells used to propel or sweep material across a surface
Flagella
thread like structures that provide motility for certain bacteria, protozoa, and spermatozoa
Spores
cells produced by fungi for reproduction; a resistant; a resistant cell produced by bacteria to withstand extreme heat or cold or dehydration
Cell Membrane
a semipermeable phospholipid bilayer that separates the interior of cells from the outside environment and controls movement into and out of the cell; protects the integrity of the cell.
Nucleus
the structure within a cell that contains the chromosomes and is responsible for the cells metabolism, growth, and reproduction
Mitosis
type of cell division of somatic cells in which each daughter cell contains the same number of chromosomes as the parent cell
Chromosomes
a linear strand made of DNA that carries genetic information (genes)
Cytoplasm
a gel-like matrix contained within the cell membrane that hold all of the cells internal substructures
Nucleolus
a spherical structure in the nucleus of a cell made of DNA, RNA, and protein; the site of synthesis of rRNA
Mitochondria
(the powerhouse of the cell) cell organelles of rod or oval shape hat contain the enzymes for the aerobic stages of the cell respiration and are the site of most ATP synthesis
Golgi Apparatus
stack of membrane-bound structures that packages proteins inside the cell before they are sent to their destination; important in the processing of proteins for secretion
Lysosomes
cell organelles containing hydrolytic enzyme capsules used to break down proteins and carbohydrates to aid in intracellular digestion
Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)
organelle that consists of a network of channels that transport materials within the cell
Pinocytic Vesicles
compartments made when cells ingest extracellular material and its contents by invaginating the cell membrane and pinching off
Pathogen
a microorganism capable of producing a disease
Mucous Membrane
linings of mostly endodermis origin, covered in epithelium, which are involved in absorption and secretion
Phagocytes
white blood cells that can ingest and destroy microorganisms, cell debris, and other particles in the blood or tissues
Neutrophils
granular white blood cells responsible for much of the body's protection against infection
Monocytes
a mononuclear phagocytic white blood cell derived from myeloid stem cells that circulate in the bloodstream and act as the first line of defense in the inflammatory process
Macrophages
a monocyte that has left the circulation and settled and matured in a tissue such as the spleen, lymph nodes, alveoli, and tonsils
Mononuclear Phagocyte System (MPS)
the system of fixed macrophages and circulating monocytes that serves phagocytes engulfing foreign substances in a wide variety of immune responses
Innate (born with) Immune Response
(first line of defense) the ability to protect ones self from pathogens the immunity you have when you are born
Antigen-Presenting Cells (APCs)
a group of imunocompotent cells that mediate cellular immune response by engulfing, processing, and presenting antigens to the T-cell receptor
Adaptive Immune Response
immune mechanisms that "learn" to deal with specific invaders
B Cells
a type of lymphocyte, developed in bone marrow, that circulates in the blood and lymph and, upon encountering a particular foreign antigen, differentiates into a clone of plasma cells that secrete a specific antibody and a clone of memory cells that make the antibody on subsequent encounters
Humoral (B-Cell mediated) Immune Response
immunity associated with circulating antibodies
Antibodies
a substance produced by a B lymphocyte in response to a unique antigen, when it can then combine with to destroy or control it
Infection
a disease caused by microorganisms, especially those that release toxins or invade body tissues
Endotoxins
a lipopolysaccharide that is part of the cell wall of gram-negative bacteria released after the cell's death
Exotoxins
a poisonous substance produced by certain bacteria
Contact Transmission
occurs when microorganisms are transferred from one infected person to another
Fomite
inanimate (non living) object that may harbor microorganisms and is capable of transmitting them
Vectors
carriers of disease
Vector Borne Transmission
when the organism is carried by an insect, or other animal, or human
Biological Vector
a vector that is essential in the life cycle of a pathogenic organismExample: the spread of malaria through the bite of an infected mosquito
Mechanical Vector
a vector that simply conveys pathogens to a susceptible individual and is not essential to the development of the organismExample: if a fly walks over cow feces, and then lands on an open box of potato salad sitting in the warm sun
Common Vehicle Transmission
the mode of transmission of infections pathogens from a source that is common to all the cases of a specific disease, by means of a vehicle such as water, food, air, or the blood supply
Airborne Transmission
a transmission mechanism in which he infectious agent is spread as an aerosol and usually enters a person through the respiratory tractExample: the spread of tuberculosis by sneezing or laughing
Inoculum
a substance or microorganism introduced by inoculation