Download Microbiology Study Guide

Microbiology Study Guide – Exam #2
This is a list of the types of things you should be able to describe or explain in your own words
for each chapter. You are still responsible for the material in the notes and should know all of
the key terms at the end of the notes for each chapter.
Chapter 6 – Microbial Growth (from slide 16 to the end)
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how to obtain a pure culture
counting microorganisms (i.e., cell density), advantages & disadvantages of each method
patterns of microbial growth
sample questions:
1. What method would you use to determine the density of fecal bacteria in a water sample?
2. What is the density of a culture (in cells/ml) in which 0.1 ml of a 1/100,000 dilution yielded 78
colonies?
Chapter 8 (Gene Expression & Regulation, Gene Transfer)
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the processes of transcription and translation
the nature of the genetic code
levels of gene expression at which regulation can occur
how the lac operon in E. coli is regulated in response to lactose and glucose
the basic processes of conjugation, transformation & transduction
sample questions:
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What is the promoter of a gene and what makes a promoter “strong” or “weak”?
Describe how glucose influences transcription of the lac operon.
How does Hfr conjugation differ from “regular” conjugation?
Describe how gene transfer occurs by transduction.
Chapter 12 (Classification of Protozoa, Fungi & Helminths)
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general characteristics of algae, protozoa, fungi & flukes, tapeworms, nematodes
give examples of the major groups of microorganisms
modes of reproduction (life cycles) for protists, fungi & helminths
sample questions:
1. Describe the basic structure of a typical mold.
2. Describe the life cycle of a typical tapeworm.
3. Describe the process of conjugation in Paramecium.
Chapter 13 (Viruses)
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structure and variety of viral components (genetic material, capsid, envelope)
how viruses differ from living cells
the basic stages of a viral “life” cycle
steps of biosynthesis: early & late gene expression, copying of genetic material
lytic and lysogenic cycles of bacteriophages
how animal viruses penetrate, escape from host cells
how DNA, RNA-containing animal viruses replicate their genetic material
how viruses are classified
examples of various types of viruses that infect humans
sample questions:
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Describe the characteristics of your “favorite” RNA-containing virus.
Distinguish between a prophage and a lysogen.
What types of viral genes are expressed “early” and “late”?
What is a viral envelope made of?
Chapter 7 (Control of Microbial Growth)
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distinguish between sterilization, disinfection, antisepsis, sanitization
various physical methods to control microbial growth and their mode of action
various chemical methods to control microbial growth and their mode of action
different methods of sterilization, when each is appropriate
sample questions:
1. Indicate 1 physical and 1 chemical method used to sterilize materials.
2. How do alcohols damage or kill microorganisms?
3. What is the difference between disinfection and antisepsis?
Potential topics for 20 point questions:
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compare the different methods of bacterial gene transfer
the life cycle of Plasmodium
sexual reproduction in ciliates (conjugation) vs fungi
the lytic/lysogenic life cycle of bacteriophage λ
compare the early stages of biosynthesis in the different types of RNA virus
the typical life cycles of pinworms, hookworms, tapeworms and flukes