Download File - Mrs. McAven`s 8th Grade Science

Medical Resident Vocabulary
Microbiology
8th Grade
Microbiology
The study of microscopic
organisms.
Prokaroyote
An organism whose cells lack a
nucleus and membrane bound
organelles.
Eukaryote
Organisms whose cells contain a
nucleus and membrane bound
organelles.
Amoeba
Unicellular, aquatic protist that
move around by pseudopods.
Paramecium
Ciliates that live mostly in
freshwater. Paramecium have an
oval body and long oral groove.
Euglena
Type of unicellular protist that is
photosynthetic and ingests food,
typically found in freshwater
environments.
Unicellular
Organisms consisting of only one
cell.
Multicellular
Organisms consisting of many cells.
Binary Fission
A form of asexual reproduction in
which one parent cell divides to form
two identical cells (for unicellular
organisms).
Sexual
Reproduction
The reproductive process that
involves two parents who combine
their genetic material to produce a
new organism, which differs from
both parents.
Asexual
Reproduction
The reproductive process that
involves only one parent and
produces offspring that are identical
to the parent.
Bacteria
Unicellular microorganisms that
function in disease, decomposition or
can play beneficial roles.
Bacteria are prokaryotes.
Fungi
A group of organism including both
unicellular and multicellular that has
cell walls, use spores to reproduce,
and is a heterotroph that feeds by
absorbing dead or decaying matter.
Virus
A small, nonliving particle that
consists of genetic materials. The
particle invades and then reproduces
inside a living cell.
Disease
A disorder that prevents an
organism from carrying out normal
life functions properly.
Parasite
An organism that lives on or in a
host and causes harm to the host.
Host
An organism that provides a source
of energy or a suitable environment
for a virus or for another organism.
Vector
An agent that carries the disease
causing pathogen to other organisms
to be infected.
Antibody
A protein created in the blood and
body tissues by the immune system
to neutralize or destroy sources of
disease.
Antibiotic
A drug that can kill bacteria without
harming a person’s cells.
Antibiotic
Resistance
The ability of bacteria to withstand
the effects of an antibiotic.
Spores
A tiny cell that is able to grow into a
new organism.
Ex. Fungi
Outbreak
The increased occurrence of cases of
diseases in excess of what normally
would be expected in a defined
community, season, or geographical
areas.
Epidemic
A spread of an infectious disease or
illness in one geographical area.
Ex: city, state, region
Pandemic
The spread of an infectious disease
or illness on a GLOBAL scale.
Vaccine
A substance introduced into the body
to stimulate the production of
chemicals that destroy specific
viruses, bacteria, or other diseasecausing organisms.
Ex. A weakend or death pathogen,
such as bateria or virus.
Antigen
A molecule that the immune system
recognizes either as part of the body
or as coming from outside the body,
promotes antibodies.
Communicable/
Contagious
Disease
Disease that can be transmitted
between people.
Pathogen
An organism that causes disease.
Penicillin
Type of antibiotic