Introduction to Microbiology
Study Questions
1. What does the term “ubiquity” mean?
- Ability to live in several areas
2. What are some surprising places microbes are found?
- Humans, oceans, animals, foods, ice sheets
3. How can microbes travel?
- Airborne & food borne
4. We do not yet know the extent of microbial diversity. Why not?
- Not all microbes can be cultured
5. What are three ways in which microbial activity is essential for life on this
planet?
- Nitrogen Fixation, Recycling, O2 production
6. Where are several places microbial biofilms can be found in daily life?
- Plaque in mouth
7. What are two ways microbes have changed that impact healthcare?
- Can be pathogenic & resistant to hospital treatment
8. Most microbes are not harmful. What are some reasons for this?
- Either Neutral (microbes in ocean) or Beneficial (yogurt/bread)
9. Your friend recently ate a salad containing a brand of spinach that was
recalled for contamination with E. coli. Can you explain to her the factors that will
influence whether or not she becomes ill?
(¿ microbes)(virulence of microbes)
- Chance of disease =
integrity of host protective mechanism
10. What are some ways that the Chain of Infection can be broken?
- Isolate & treat , wash hands & disinfect surfaces, vaccinate
11. What is the “indoor microbiome?”
- Billions of bacteria, viruses, and fungi in homes and offices. May help us develop
immune system
12. What is the “Hygiene Hypothesis” and how might dogs (and other animals) positively
impact our health?
- Spending over 90% of time in bacteria poor environment in early life, can make our
bodies to overreact to harmless substances later on
, 13. Why are pig whipworm eggs being considered for approval as a food ingredient in
Germany?
14. Why use pig whipworms instead of human whipworms?
Microbial Origins, Evolution and Diversity
Study Questions:
1. What two scientists “discovered” microorganisms?
- Anthony Van Heewenhoek & Robert Hooke
2. Is a virus considered a microorganism? Why or why not?
- Cannot reproduce on its own only when infecting a host
3. What are some basic differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?
- Eukaryotic: Nucleus & Membrane bound organelles Prokaryotic: No
4. What are the relative sizes of a human cell, a protein, a virus and most bacteria?
5. How are microorganisms named?
- Genus + Species
6. Why did some scientists have difficulty achieving the same result as Pasteur with the
swan-necked flask?
The extreme heat resistance of endospores were not included in
Pasteur’s experiments as he did not use broths that contained hay,
as he only used broths made with sugar or yeast extract
7. What two scientists helped explain the conflicting data?
John Tyndall (some microbes have a heat resistant form) , Ferdinand
cohn (discovered endospores , the hest resistant forms of some
bacteria
8. How could the potato salad have been prepared safely?
- Autoclaving (pressurized cooking)
- Used a pressure canner, which does eliminate the spores, and the
- potatoes where not heated after removal from the can, which is a step
- that can inactivate botulinum toxin
- • Early recognition of the outbreak and a rapid coordinated response
-
9. Why was there only one fatality?
, Sample Test Questions:
(1) The scientific name of an organism includes its
A. family and genus.
B. first name and last name.
C. genus and species.
D. domain.
E. genus and species AND domain.
(2) Which of the following statements is true regarding potato salad and botulism?
A. botulinum endospores are destroyed by boiling.
B. Endospores can germinate and grow in jars stored at room temperature.
C. Mayonnaise is a common source of C. botulinum endospores.
D. Non-acid vegetables like potatoes cannot be canned at home.
(3) Gram-negative cells have porins, which function:
A. in protein synthesis
B. in transport
C. in motility
D. in photosynthesis
(1) The idea of spontaneous generation postulated that
A. organisms could evolve into the next generation of organisms.
B. organisms could spontaneously combust.
C. organisms could spontaneously arise from other living organisms.
D. living organisms could spontaneously arise from non-living material.
Lecture notes (Prokaryotic anatomy)
Study Questions/activities
1. Make your own version of table 3.3 in the book. What are the structures of the
prokaryotic cell? What are the characteristics and functions of each?
2. What is a virulence factor?
Study Questions
1. What does the term “ubiquity” mean?
- Ability to live in several areas
2. What are some surprising places microbes are found?
- Humans, oceans, animals, foods, ice sheets
3. How can microbes travel?
- Airborne & food borne
4. We do not yet know the extent of microbial diversity. Why not?
- Not all microbes can be cultured
5. What are three ways in which microbial activity is essential for life on this
planet?
- Nitrogen Fixation, Recycling, O2 production
6. Where are several places microbial biofilms can be found in daily life?
- Plaque in mouth
7. What are two ways microbes have changed that impact healthcare?
- Can be pathogenic & resistant to hospital treatment
8. Most microbes are not harmful. What are some reasons for this?
- Either Neutral (microbes in ocean) or Beneficial (yogurt/bread)
9. Your friend recently ate a salad containing a brand of spinach that was
recalled for contamination with E. coli. Can you explain to her the factors that will
influence whether or not she becomes ill?
(¿ microbes)(virulence of microbes)
- Chance of disease =
integrity of host protective mechanism
10. What are some ways that the Chain of Infection can be broken?
- Isolate & treat , wash hands & disinfect surfaces, vaccinate
11. What is the “indoor microbiome?”
- Billions of bacteria, viruses, and fungi in homes and offices. May help us develop
immune system
12. What is the “Hygiene Hypothesis” and how might dogs (and other animals) positively
impact our health?
- Spending over 90% of time in bacteria poor environment in early life, can make our
bodies to overreact to harmless substances later on
, 13. Why are pig whipworm eggs being considered for approval as a food ingredient in
Germany?
14. Why use pig whipworms instead of human whipworms?
Microbial Origins, Evolution and Diversity
Study Questions:
1. What two scientists “discovered” microorganisms?
- Anthony Van Heewenhoek & Robert Hooke
2. Is a virus considered a microorganism? Why or why not?
- Cannot reproduce on its own only when infecting a host
3. What are some basic differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?
- Eukaryotic: Nucleus & Membrane bound organelles Prokaryotic: No
4. What are the relative sizes of a human cell, a protein, a virus and most bacteria?
5. How are microorganisms named?
- Genus + Species
6. Why did some scientists have difficulty achieving the same result as Pasteur with the
swan-necked flask?
The extreme heat resistance of endospores were not included in
Pasteur’s experiments as he did not use broths that contained hay,
as he only used broths made with sugar or yeast extract
7. What two scientists helped explain the conflicting data?
John Tyndall (some microbes have a heat resistant form) , Ferdinand
cohn (discovered endospores , the hest resistant forms of some
bacteria
8. How could the potato salad have been prepared safely?
- Autoclaving (pressurized cooking)
- Used a pressure canner, which does eliminate the spores, and the
- potatoes where not heated after removal from the can, which is a step
- that can inactivate botulinum toxin
- • Early recognition of the outbreak and a rapid coordinated response
-
9. Why was there only one fatality?
, Sample Test Questions:
(1) The scientific name of an organism includes its
A. family and genus.
B. first name and last name.
C. genus and species.
D. domain.
E. genus and species AND domain.
(2) Which of the following statements is true regarding potato salad and botulism?
A. botulinum endospores are destroyed by boiling.
B. Endospores can germinate and grow in jars stored at room temperature.
C. Mayonnaise is a common source of C. botulinum endospores.
D. Non-acid vegetables like potatoes cannot be canned at home.
(3) Gram-negative cells have porins, which function:
A. in protein synthesis
B. in transport
C. in motility
D. in photosynthesis
(1) The idea of spontaneous generation postulated that
A. organisms could evolve into the next generation of organisms.
B. organisms could spontaneously combust.
C. organisms could spontaneously arise from other living organisms.
D. living organisms could spontaneously arise from non-living material.
Lecture notes (Prokaryotic anatomy)
Study Questions/activities
1. Make your own version of table 3.3 in the book. What are the structures of the
prokaryotic cell? What are the characteristics and functions of each?
2. What is a virulence factor?
