Definitions (for the context of this website):
Opportunistic: takes advantage of a break in host defences.
Pathogen: bacterium capable of causing disease.
Infectious: capable of spreading quickly from person to person, to cause a disease or illness.
Gram Negative: bacteria that has a cell wall made out of a thin layer of peptidoglycan.
Rod-shaped strain: long, slender type of bacteria
Bacterium: single-celled microorganisms, often multiply into colonies, to cause an infectious disease.
Contagious: capable of being transmitted through contact with a contaminated person or object.
Disease: A disorder of function and/or structure in a human; produces specific symptoms and affects certain functions. (Caused by bacteria, not physical injury)
Tissue: human cells, whether nerve, muscular, connective, vascular or epithermal (skin)
Prokaryotic: cells that do not have membrane bound nuclei.
Microorganism: microscopic organism
Organism: single-celled life form.
Strain: group of organisms differing slightly to similar organisms. P. Aeruginosa is a strain of Pseudomonas.
Host: An organism that is infected with and fed upon by an opportunistic pathogen.
Defences: the act of resisting attack. Can be general against all attacks, or specific to an attack strategy.
Reproduction: production of offspring, creating more cells.
Genome: the total genetic content in an organism.
Biological Weapon: able to be used to cause harm to a population.
Biofilm: a thin durable layer that sticks to a solid surface or host, containing bacteria.
Enzymes: a substance produced by the bacteria which acts as a catalyst to make a biochemical reaction.
Antibiotics: a medicine that inhibits the growth or destroys a microorganism, such as P. Aeruginosa bacteria.
Treatment: medical care administered to a patient for an infection.
Pathogen: bacterium capable of causing disease.
Infectious: capable of spreading quickly from person to person, to cause a disease or illness.
Gram Negative: bacteria that has a cell wall made out of a thin layer of peptidoglycan.
Rod-shaped strain: long, slender type of bacteria
Bacterium: single-celled microorganisms, often multiply into colonies, to cause an infectious disease.
Contagious: capable of being transmitted through contact with a contaminated person or object.
Disease: A disorder of function and/or structure in a human; produces specific symptoms and affects certain functions. (Caused by bacteria, not physical injury)
Tissue: human cells, whether nerve, muscular, connective, vascular or epithermal (skin)
Prokaryotic: cells that do not have membrane bound nuclei.
Microorganism: microscopic organism
Organism: single-celled life form.
Strain: group of organisms differing slightly to similar organisms. P. Aeruginosa is a strain of Pseudomonas.
Host: An organism that is infected with and fed upon by an opportunistic pathogen.
Defences: the act of resisting attack. Can be general against all attacks, or specific to an attack strategy.
Reproduction: production of offspring, creating more cells.
Genome: the total genetic content in an organism.
Biological Weapon: able to be used to cause harm to a population.
Biofilm: a thin durable layer that sticks to a solid surface or host, containing bacteria.
Enzymes: a substance produced by the bacteria which acts as a catalyst to make a biochemical reaction.
Antibiotics: a medicine that inhibits the growth or destroys a microorganism, such as P. Aeruginosa bacteria.
Treatment: medical care administered to a patient for an infection.