Performance Objectives

1. Define mycology and mycosis.
2. Describe 3 ways fungi may be beneficial to humans and 3 ways they may be harmful.

1. Describe the typical appearance of a yeast and its usual mode of reproduction.
2. Describe yeasts in terms of their oxygen requirements.
3. Explain 2 ways the yeast Saccharomyces is beneficial to humans.
4. Name 2 yeasts that commonly infect humans.
5. Name 4 common forms of candidiasis.
6. Describe 2 conditions that may enable Candida to cause severe opportunistic systemic infections.
7. Describe pseudohyphae, blastospores, and chlamydospores.
8. Explain the usefulness of saboraud dextrose agar, mycosel agar, and rice extract agar.
9. Describe how Cryptococcus neoformans is transmitted to humans, where in the body it normally infects, and possible complications.
10. Name the primary method of identifying Cryptococcus neoformans.
11. Name which disease is caused by Pneumocystis carinii and indicate several predisposing conditions a person normally has before they contract the disease.

1. Describe the appearance of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida albicans on saboraud dextrose agar and mycosel agar.
2. When given a plate of Mycosel agar showing yeast-like growth and a plate of rice extract agar showing pseudohyphae, blastospores, and chlamydospores, identify the organism as Candida albicans.
3. Recognize the following observed microscopically:
   1. Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida albicans as yeasts in a direct stain preparation.
   2. A positive specimen for thrush by the presence of budding Candida albicans.
   3. Cryptococcus neoformans in an India ink preparation.
   4. A cyst of Pneumocystis carinii in lung tissue.