Microbiology and Immunology 3820A Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Virulence Factor, Irritant Diaper Dermatitis, Sepsis
8 Dec 2016
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Document Summary
Plant-like forms but lack defined root or leaf structures and are non-photosynthetic. They are assigned to their own kingdom, mycota. Unusual metabolic products can be toxic to higher animals. Complicated because many fungi can reproduce both sexually and asexually. Morphological characteristics are different for sexual and asexual stages. Sexual and asexual stages of the same organism may have different genus and species names! The asexual (anamorphic) stage name is preferred unless there is only a sexual (telomorphic) stage known. Fungi of which only an anamorphic (asexual) form is known are termed the fungi imperfecti. Grow in a manner similar to bacteria but 10 x larger. Not much of a hazard to laboratory workers. Used for commercial production of alcohol and citric acid. Most infections are endogenous (come from within)\, except for cryptococcus neoformans, which is associated with the excreta of gregarious birds (flock together), primarily pigeons. Humans all have yeast growing in mucous membranes and moist areas of skin.
