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Microbiology: Yeasts and Fungi

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Terms in this set (20)

  • What is mycology and what are mycoses?
    Mycology is the study of fungi, and mycoses are diseases caused by fungi.
  • What are fungi and what are the two main forms?
    Fungi are eukaryotic organisms that include yeasts (unicellular) and molds (multinucleated, filamentous).
  • How do yeasts differ from molds?
    Yeasts are unicellular, oval or spherical fungi that divide by budding, while molds are filamentous fungi with hyphae.
  • What mode of nutrition do fungi use?
    Fungi are chemoheterotrophs requiring organic compounds for energy and carbon.
  • Where do saprophytic fungi obtain nutrients?
    Saprophytic fungi live off decaying organic material.
  • Where do parasitic fungi obtain nutrients?
    Parasitic fungi get nutrients from living plants or animals.
  • What are the two modes of metabolism exhibited by yeasts?
    Yeasts are facultative anaerobes that obtain energy via aerobic respiration or fermentation.
  • How do yeasts reproduce?
    Yeasts reproduce by budding, where a new daughter cell forms from the mother cell.
  • What are hyphae in yeasts and their role?
    Hyphae are fragile branching filaments formed when buds remain attached; they help yeasts invade deeper tissues.
  • What are blastoconidia and chlamydoconidia?
    Blastoconidia are asexual spores formed in clusters along hyphae; chlamydoconidia are thick-walled survival spores at hyphal tips.
  • How do yeast colonies appear on solid media?
    Yeast colonies appear similar to bacterial colonies due to their unicellular and microscopic nature.
  • What is Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) and its purpose?
    SDA has higher sugar and lower pH than TSA, inhibiting bacteria and promoting fungal growth; it is selective for fungi.
  • What is Mycosel agar selective for?
    Mycosel agar contains chloramphenicol and cycloheximide, inhibiting bacteria and saprophytic fungi; it is selective for pathogenic fungi.
  • What is the use of Rice Extract agar in yeast culture?
    Rice Extract agar stimulates formation of hyphae, blastoconidia, and chlamydoconidia in pathogenic yeasts like Candida albicans.
  • What is the significance of budding in yeast cells?
    Budding allows yeast cells to reproduce asexually, producing a new daughter cell from the mother cell.
  • What structures can be identified in Candida albicans during its filamentous form?
    In filamentous form, Candida albicans shows hyphae, blastoconidia, and chlamydoconidia.
  • What is the role of mitochondria in yeast cells?
    Mitochondria provide energy through aerobic cellular respiration in yeast cells.
  • What is the function of the cell wall in fungi?
    The cell wall provides structural support and protection to fungal cells.
  • Why is SDA selective for fungi?
    SDA's high sugar and low pH inhibit bacterial growth, allowing fungi to grow selectively.
  • What is the difference between blastoconidia and chlamydoconidia?
    Blastoconidia are asexual spores formed in clusters; chlamydoconidia are thick-walled survival spores formed under stress.