Kristina Shearod Medical Microbiology Feb 22, 2012 Period-6th Microbiology Vocabulary (51-74)

Pathogenicity: the capacity of a microorganism to produce disease Peptidogglycan: A polymer found in the cell walls of prokaryotes that consists of polysaccharide and peptide chains in a strong molecular network. Also called mucopeptide, murein Pili (fimbriae): short curled hair like processes on the surface of certain bacteria that are involved in conjugation and the attachment of the bacteria to other cells Plasmid: A circular, double-stranded unit of DNA that replicates within a cell independently of the chromosomal DNA. Plasmids are most often found in bacteria and are used in recombinant DNA research to transfer genes between cells Prokaryotic: any organism having cells in each of which the genetic material is in a single DNA chain, not enclosed in a nucleus Pure culture: a culture containing a single species of microorganism Resistance: The capacity of an organism or a tissue to withstand the effects of a harmful environmental agent Reservoir: An organism or a population that directly or indirectly transmits a pathogen while being virtually immune to its effects

Ribosome: A minute round particle composed of RNA and protein that is found in the cytoplasm of living cells and serves as the site of assembly for polypeptides encoded by messenger RNA. Sepsis: The presence of pathogenic organisms or their toxins in the blood or tissues Slime-layer: an easily removed, diffuse, unorganized layer of extracellular material that surrounds bacteria cells. Specifically, this consists mostly of exopolysaccharides, glycoproteins, and glycolipids Spirochete: A microscopic bacterial organism in the Spirochaeta family. Spirochetes have a worm-like, spiral-shaped form Sporadic: Occurring upon occasion or in a scattered, isolated or seemingly random way. Spores: A small, usually single-celled reproductive body that is highly resistant to desiccation and heat and is capable of growing into a new organism, produced especially by certain bacteria, fungi, algae, and no flowering plants Staphylococci: A spherical gram-positive parasitic bacterium of the genus Staphylococcus, usually occurring in grapelike clusters and causing boils, septicemia, and other infections. Sterilize: make free from live bacteria or other microorganisms Streptococci: A round to ovoid, gram-positive, often pathogenic bacterium of the genus Streptococcus that occurs in pairs or chains, many species of which destroy red blood cells and cause various diseases in humans, including erysipelas, scarlet fever, and strep throat Susceptibility: The quality or condition of being susceptible Synergy: The interaction of two or more agents or forces so that their combined effect is greater than the sum of their individual effects Teichoic: One of two types of polymers present in gram-positive bacteria, especially in the cell walls

Vector: any agent that acts as a carrier or transporter, as a virus or plasmid that conveys a genetically engineered DNA segment into a host cell Vibrio: any curved or spiral rod like Gram-negative bacterium of the genus Vibrio family Spirillaceae Virulence: the relative ability of a microorganism to cause disease; degree of pathogenicity Zoonosis: any disease of animals communicable to humans