Module Five: Microbiology - Eukaryotes

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the eukaryotic domains, including protists, fungi, and helminths, with specific focus on metabolic characteristics, reproduction, and life cycles.

Eukaryotes

Organisms characterized by a true membrane-bound nucleus, linear chromosomes organized by histones, and membrane-bound organelles.

Histones

Proteins that act like a spool to thread and organize linear DNA into chromosomes within eukaryotic cells.

Ectoplasm

The outer region of the cytoplasm beneath the membrane that is clear and gel-like, containing actin filaments for motility.

Endoplasm

The central region of the cytoplasm where the nucleus, organelles, and ribosomes are located.

Pellicle

Bands of protein located beneath the membrane that form a complex and create a rigid structure for some protozoa.

Cytostome

A specialized structure equivalent to a cell mouth used by some protozoa to bring in food particles.

Cytoproct

A specialized organelle used for secretion that collects waste products and ejects them via exocytosis.

Holozoic

A classification for cells that take in whole particles of food, such as bacteria or algae.

Saprozoic

A classification for cells that take in smaller, dissolved substances or molecules.

Trophozoite

The active feeding stage of a protozoan's life cycle.

Cyst

A dormant and resistant structure in the protozoan life cycle often involved in host infection via contaminated food or water.

Contractile vacuole

An organelle that acts as a sump pump to collect and expel excess water to protect the cell from osmotic pressure.

Schizogony

A process where the nucleus of a cell divides multiple times before the cell eventually divides into many merozoites.

Micronucleus

The smaller of the $2$ nuclei in ciliates, specifically used for sexual reproduction and conjugation.

Macronucleus

The larger nucleus in ciliates that is derived from the micronucleus and focused on metabolic genes and day-to-day activities.

Theca

Hard outer plates made of cellulose that form an armored covering for dinoflagellates.

Stigma (Eye spot)

A structure found in Euglena that helps the organism detect light.

Dimorphic fungus

A fungus that can exist in both yeast and filamentous morphologies depending on growth conditions such as temperature.

Hyphae

Filamentous chains of cells that make up the structure of molds.

Mycelium

A mass or collection of hyphae that makes up a mold colony.

Septate hyphae

Hyphae that possess cross walls, or septums, that physically separate individual cells.

Coenocytic hyphae

Hyphae that lack cross walls, allowing the cytoplasm to intermingle throughout the filament.

Exoenzymes

Strong enzymes secreted by fungi into the environment to digest food particles into smaller molecules for absorption.

Sporangium

A sac-like structure at the top of a reproductive hypha that is filled with asexual sporangiospores.

Conidia

Asexual fungal spores that are free and not contained within a sac.

Blastospore

An asexual spore formed by yeast through the process of budding.

Arthrospore

An asexual spore formed when segments or fragments of fungal hyphae break off.

Ascus

A sac-like structure, often resembling a pea pod, that contains individual sexual ascospores.

Basidium

Specialized mother cells found on the gills of mushrooms that produce sexual basidiospores.

Monoecious

Having both male and female reproductive organs within the same individual; also known as hermaphroditic.

Intermediate host

The host in which a parasite's egg develops into its larval stage.

Definitive host

The host in which the larval stage of a parasite reaches sexual maturity and becomes an adult.

Miracidium

A ciliated larval stage of a fluke that frees itself from the egg to swim toward an intermediate host.

Cercaria

The larval stage of a fluke that resembles the adult but possesses a tail for swimming.

Scolex

The head of a tapeworm, which features suckers and hooks for attachment to the host's intestinal wall.

Proglottids

The individual segments of a tapeworm; gravid proglottids at the distal end are mature and contain reproductive structures.

Dioecious

Having separate male and female individuals within a species, as seen in roundworms.