Century Disease Control (Sanitation, Vaccination, Antimicrobials), Emerging
Infectious Threats (HIV, Influenza, Drug-Resistant TB), Molecular & Diagnostic
Advances (PCR, Restriction Enzymes, Small RNAs, Human Microbiome Project),
Infection Types & Stages (Primary, Secondary, Acute, Chronic, Focal, Systemic,
Mixed, Localized), Microbial Transmission Mechanisms (Biological Vector,
Vehicle, Fomite, Parenteral, Vertical/Horizontal, Indirect/Direct, Vector), Host-
Microbe Interactions (Virulence Factors, Antiphagocytic Factors, Adhesion
Mechanisms: Fimbriae, Pili, Surface Proteins, Slime, Capsule; Exotoxins,
Endotoxins, Exoenzymes, Microbial Antagonism), Pathogenicity & Virulence,
Carrier States (Passive, Convalescent, Incubating, Asymptomatic), Epidemic
Types (Common Source, Point Source, Propagated), Epidemiology Metrics
(Prevalence, Incidence), Zoonoses, Communicable vs Noncommunicable
Diseases, Hospital-Acquired Infections (C. diff, S. aureus, Klebsiella, E. coli,
Enterococcus), Bacterial Motility & Chemotaxis Exam Questions Verified and
Provided with Complete A+ Graded Rationales Latest Updated 2026
what three endeavors in the 20th century led to drastic reductions in the mortality from
infectious disease in the United States?
improvements in sanitation & hygiene practices, childhood vaccination programs, and the
discovery and development of antimicrobial drugs
,major setbacks in the 20th century that indicated the unpredictability of infectious disease
HIV, influenza pandemic, and the emergence of highly drug resistant strains of TB
what are some advantages to the technology related to infectious disease that was developed in
the 20th century?
ability to determine the causative agents of new or unknown diseases, to detect infectious
diseases that were previously difficult to diagnose, to design drugs that target molecular
pathways in infectious agents, and to produce mass quantities of effective viral vaccines.
Germ Theory of Disease
specific diseases are caused by specific kinds of microbes
eukaryote
contains a nucleus and other membrane bound organelles
bacteria/archaea
cell type that lacks nucleus, are ten times smaller than other microbes.
virus
a-cellular particle, smallest microbes
, fungus
a eukaryote that is a decomposer
i.e. penicillium
protazoan
single celled eukaryote
i.e. giardia
human microbiome project
2010's+, detailed info about the microorganisms that live in or on our bodies
PCR
developed in the 1980's; a technique used to make mass copies of DNA for study
restriction enzymes
1970's, Daniel Nathans, Werner Arber, and Hamilton Smith discovered these "small scissors"
that cut DNA in a controlled manner
small RNA's
identified in the 2000's, and appear to play critical roles in regulating what happens in the cell