Term | Definition |
Virus | An infectious agent consisting of DNA or RNA and surrounded by a protein sheath |
Superbug | A strain of bacterial species that has become resistant to multiple antibiotic drugs |
Spontaneous Generation | The doctrine that non-living matter could give rise to living things |
Science | The organized body of knowledge that is derived from observation and can be verified or tested |
Protozoan | A single-celled eukaryotic organism that lacks a cell wall |
Prokaryotic cell | Referring to cells that have a single chromosome but no cell nucleus or other membrane-bound compartments |
Phytoplankton | Microscopic free-floating communities of cyanobacteria and unicellular algae |
Photosynthesis | A biochemical process in which light energy is converted into chemical energy |
Pathogen | A microorganism or virus that causes disease in a host |
Pasteurization | A heating process that destroys pathogenic bacteria in a liquid and lowers the overall number of bacteria in the fluid |
Microorganism | A microscopic form of life |
Kochs Postulates | A set of procedures by which a specific organism can be related to a specific disease |
Human Microbiome | The community of microorganisms and viruses that normally reside on the surface of the skin and in the mouth, respiratory system, and genitourinary and gastrointestinal tract of the human body |
Germ Theory of Disease | The principle that microorganisms are responsible for disease |
Fungus | A general term that includes molds and yeasts |
Eukaryotic cell | A cell containing a membrane-bounded nucleus |
Emerging Infectious Disease | A new or changing disease that is seen within the population for the first time |
Deoxyribonucleic Acid | The genetic material of all cells |
Decomposer | An organism that breaks down dead or decaying matter |
Cyanobacteria | An oxygen-producing, pigmented bacteria occurring in unicellular of filamentous forms that carry out photosynthesis |
Climate change | The alteration in global temperatures and rainfall patterns that may occur due to increased levels of atmospheric greenhouse gases |
Biotechnology | The commercial application of genetic engineering using living organisms |
Bioremediation | The use of microorganisms to degrade toxic wastes and other synthetic products |
Bacteria | The domain of living things that includes all single-celled prokaryotic organisms not in Archaea |
Archaea | The domain of living organisms that excludes the Bacteria and Eukarya |
Animalcule | A microscopic organism observed by Leeuwenhoek |
Alga bloom | An excessive growth of algae on or near the surface of water, often the result of an oversupply of nutrients from organic pollution |
Algae | Organisms in the kingdom Protista that preform photosynthesis |