micropara

• Basic Microbiology involves the study of the nature and properties of microorganisms.
• Applied Microbiology involves the use of information learned from basic microbiology to control and use microorganisms in beneficial ways.
• Microbes, or microorganisms, are minute living things that are usually unable to be viewed with the naked eye.
• Examples of microbes include Bacteria, fungi, protozoa, algae, and viruses.
• Some microbes are pathogenic, while others are part of the normal flora.
• If there is a delay in transportation, urine should be refrigerated at 2-4°C/ice for up to 4 hours.
• Microbiology is the study of microorganisms, which are simple forms of life visible only with a microscope.
• Urine should be transported within two hours for Anaerobic and amoebic abscess aspirate.
• Exceptions to the 2-hour rule include CSF, genital, eye, internal ear specimens, and amoebic abscess aspirate.
• Microorganisms may be normal flora and pathogenic.
• Infections are one of the most important causes of mortality and morbidity in the population.
• Taxonomy is the system for organizing, classifying, and naming living things.
• Domain Archaea, Bacteria, Eukarya is a taxonomic category.
• Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species is the taxonomic hierarchy.
• Eubacteria are true bacteria, with peptidoglycan as their cell wall.
• Archaebacteria are odd bacteria that live in extreme environments, such as high salt, heat, etc.
• Bacteria are capable of independent replication, cause most infections seen in hospital, and are treated with antibiotics.
• Viruses are the smallest known infectious agents, are subcellular microorganisms, must live and grow in living cells of other organisms, are small (50-300nm), and are unable to replicate independently.
• Fungi are complex, large organisms that are Eukaryotes (as are humans!), divided into yeasts and moulds, cause a range of diseases, and many diseases are opportunistic.
• Yeasts are single-celled, reproduce by budding, and are used in baking and brewing.
• Moulds are large, fuzzy, multicelled organisms, produce spores, and are used in the production of cheese and wine.
• Superficial infections such as athlete's foot, ringworm, and thrush can cause systemic infections.
• Bacteriology is the study of bacteria.
• Mycology is the study of fungi and yeast.
• Virology is the study of viruses.
• Parasitology is the study of parasitic protozoans and helminths.
• Immunology is the study of the humoral and cellular immune response to disease agents and allergens.
• Phycology/Algology is the study of algae.
• Nematology is the study of nematodes.
• Biotechnology is the use of microbes as miniature biochemical factories to produce food and chemicals, which is centuries old.
• Blood cultures are used in the diagnosis of sepsis, endocarditis, and pyrexia of unknown origin.
• Pipets and graduated cylinders are glass or plastic used to measure liquid volume, graduated in ml.
• Acute sepsis requires 2-3 sets of blood cultures from separate sites.
• Sputum is collected from patients, either induced or expectorated.
• Pyrexia of unknown origin requires 2 cultures, at least I hour apart (if negative - repeat 2 cultures I hour apart, after 24-36 hours).
• A funnel aids in pouring liquids into small openings without spilling them.
• Filter paper is special paper used to separate solids from liquids.
• A flask is glassware used to heat and store substances.
• Wash bottles are used to rinse various pieces of laboratory glassware.
• A test tube is used to mix, heat or store substances.