Microbiology for NEET PG FAQs
1. What is microbiology and why is it important in medicine? |
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Ans. Microbiology is the study of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. It is crucial in medicine as it helps in understanding pathogens that cause diseases, developing antibiotics, and improving public health measures to prevent infections.
2. What are the main types of microorganisms studied in microbiology? |
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Ans. The main types of microorganisms include bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, and algae. Each type has distinct characteristics and roles in health, disease, and the environment.
3. How do bacteria differ from viruses? |
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Ans. Bacteria are single-celled organisms that can live independently and reproduce on their own, while viruses are not considered living organisms; they require a host cell to replicate and cannot survive outside a living organism.
4. What are common methods used to culture microorganisms in the lab? |
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Ans. Common methods include the use of agar plates, broth cultures, and selective media that encourage the growth of specific microorganisms while inhibiting others. Incubation conditions such as temperature and oxygen levels are also critical.
5. What is the significance of the Gram stain in microbiology? |
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Ans. The Gram stain is a crucial laboratory technique that differentiates bacteria into Gram-positive and Gram-negative based on their cell wall structure. This classification helps in identifying bacteria and determining appropriate antibiotic treatment.
6. What are opportunistic infections, and who is at risk? |
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Ans. Opportunistic infections are caused by pathogens that take advantage of weakened immune systems. Individuals at risk include those with HIV/AIDS, cancer, diabetes, or those on immunosuppressive medications.
7. How do antibiotics work against bacterial infections? |
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Ans. Antibiotics target specific bacterial functions or structures, such as cell wall synthesis, protein synthesis, or DNA replication, effectively killing bacteria or inhibiting their growth.
8. What role do vaccines play in preventing infectious diseases? |
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Ans. Vaccines stimulate the immune system to recognize and fight specific pathogens without causing the disease. They provide immunity and help prevent outbreaks of infectious diseases.
9. What is antimicrobial resistance, and why is it a concern? |
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Ans. Antimicrobial resistance occurs when microorganisms evolve to resist the effects of medications, making infections harder to treat. It poses a significant public health threat, leading to longer hospital stays, higher medical costs, and increased mortality.
10. Can you explain the concept of biofilms in microbiology? |
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Ans. Biofilms are communities of microorganisms that adhere to surfaces and are embedded in a protective extracellular matrix. They are significant in medicine as they can form on medical devices and lead to chronic infections.
11. What is the difference between sterilization and disinfection? |
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Ans. Sterilization is a process that eliminates all forms of microbial life, including spores, while disinfection reduces the number of pathogenic microorganisms to a safe level but does not necessarily kill all microbes.
12. How does the immune system respond to infections? |
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Ans. The immune system responds to infections through innate and adaptive responses. Innate immunity provides immediate, non-specific defense, while adaptive immunity develops specific responses, including antibody production and memory cell formation.
13. What are common laboratory tests used to diagnose infections? |
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Ans. Common laboratory tests include blood cultures, PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests, serology tests, and microscopy. These help identify the causative agents of infections and guide treatment decisions.
14. How does the practice of hand hygiene impact infection control? |
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Ans. Proper hand hygiene, including regular washing with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand sanitizers, significantly reduces the transmission of pathogens, preventing healthcare-associated infections and outbreaks.
15. What are the emerging trends in microbiology research? |
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Ans. Emerging trends include the study of the human microbiome, the development of phage therapy, advancements in rapid diagnostic techniques, and the investigation of antimicrobial resistance mechanisms to develop new treatment strategies.