Microbiology Vocab Review

Front

What is a vaccine?

Back

A substance usually prepared from killed or weakened pathogens that is used to stimulate the production of antibodies and provide immunity against diseases.

Front

Define a pandemic.

Back

A pandemic is a widespread disease that affects a large number of people across multiple countries or continents.

Front

What is required for viruses to reproduce?

Back

The virus must be inside a living cell.

Front

Which organisms require a host cell to survive?

Back

Viruses require a host cell.

Front

What is a key difference between viruses and bacteria?

Back

Viruses can't reproduce on their own.

Front

What are pathogens?

Back

Pathogens are microorganisms that can cause disease, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites.

Front

What is the role of antibodies in the immune system?

Back

Antibodies are proteins produced by the immune system to identify and neutralize foreign objects like bacteria and viruses.

Front

What is the difference between a virus and a bacterium in terms of structure?

Back

Viruses are much smaller than bacteria and do not have a cellular structure.

Front

How do vaccines work?

Back

Vaccines work by introducing a harmless component of a pathogen to stimulate the immune system to recognize and fight the pathogen in the future.

Front

What is herd immunity?

Back

Herd immunity occurs when a large percentage of a population becomes immune to a disease, making its spread unlikely.