FDSC 2000 Lecture : Ch10notes
Document Summary
Simply, microorganisms are living entities that are too small to be seen by the naked eye. Bacteria viruses, protozoa, and _________ (mold and yeast). Viruses are neither, but are considered a life form. Bacteria are classified based on whether or not they can retain the pigment crystal violet in their cell membrane the gram staintest is one of the first done to characterize bacteria. Classified as either gram positive or gram negative. Under optimum conditions a cell divides every 20-30 minutes. Spores are produced in response to unfavorable growing conditions. Allows them to start growing (spore germination) again when favorable conditions return. Molds may be uni-or multi cellular, form a tangled mass called mycelium composed of hyphae, which facilitate their growth. Most molds also form spores on the top of the hyphae, which allow for the spreading of mold cultures. Can be beneficial by producing antibiotics, or enzymes that are used in food processing.
