Micropara 3

• What is the focus of microbiology?

  The study of microorganisms
• What are the two main categories of microbes?

  Acellular and cellular microbes
• What is the role of pathogens?

  They cause disease
• What percentage of known microbes are pathogenic?

  3%
• What are some diseases caused by bacteria?

  Anthrax and diarrhea
• What is the function of algae in the ecosystem?

  They produce oxygen
• What is the definition of saprophytes?

  Organisms that live on dead organic matter
• How do microbes contribute to the nitrogen cycle?

  They help in nitrogen fixation
• What is the role of plankton in aquatic ecosystems?

  They serve as food for tiny animals
• What is the significance of antibiotics?

  They kill the growth of other microbes
• Who is known as the father of microbiology?

  Anton van Leeuwenhoek
• What did Louis Pasteur contribute to microbiology?

  Foundation of the science of microbiology
• What is the purpose of a microscope?

  To see microorganisms
• What is the difference between a simple microscope and a compound microscope?

  A simple microscope has one lens
• What is the function of a Gram stain?

  To differentiate between gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria
• What color do gram-positive bacteria stain?

  Blue or purple
• What is the purpose of acid-fast staining?

  To identify bacteria with high lipid content
• What is the role of culture media in microbiology?

  To grow specific microorganisms
• What is the difference between selective media and differential media?

  Selective media encourages specific organisms
• What is the purpose of transport media?

  To prevent drying of specimens
• What is anaerobic media used for?

  For organisms that cannot survive in oxygen
• How does the function of a phase-contrast microscope differ from a brightfield microscope?

  Phase-contrast enhances contrast without staining
• What is the significance of the nitrogen cycle in microbiology?

  It recycles nitrogen in ecosystems
• What is the role of opportunistic pathogens?

  They can cause harm under certain conditions
• What is the importance of studying microbiology?

  To understand diseases and their prevention
• Who discovered penicillin?

  Alexander Fleming
• What is the purpose of differential staining?

  To differentiate between types of bacteria
• How do opportunistic pathogens differ from primary pathogens?

  Opportunistic pathogens cause disease only in weakened hosts
• What is the significance of the Golden Age of Microbiology?

  It marked major discoveries in microbiology
• What is the function of a dark field microscope?

  To visualize specimens against a dark background
• What is the role of staining in microbiology?

  To give color to microorganisms for visibility
• What is the purpose of a simple stain?

  To use a single dye for visualization
• What is the significance of the Ziehl-Neelsen stain?

  It identifies acid-fast bacteria
• How does negative staining differ from positive staining?

  Negative staining highlights external structures
• What is the role of culture media in identifying microorganisms?

  It provides nutrients for growth and identification
• What is the purpose of enrichment media?

  To enhance the growth of specific organisms
• What is the significance of blood agar?

  It is used to culture fastidious organisms
• What is the function of selective media?

  To encourage the growth of specific organisms
• What is the role of transport media in microbiology?

  To preserve specimens during transport
• How do anaerobic media support the growth of specific microorganisms?

  They provide an oxygen-free environment