Diversity of Bacteria and Archaea

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms and concepts from the lecture on the diversity of bacteria and archaea, aiding in the understanding of prokaryotic classification, their metabolic processes, and ecological interactions.

Prokaryotic Classification

The science that studies organisms to arrange them into groups (taxa) including identification, nomenclature, and classification.

Microscopic examination

A method used to identify microorganisms through observing their characteristics under a microscope.

Phylogeny

The evolutionary relatedness of organisms, which is challenging to determine in prokaryotes due to asexual reproduction and few differences in morphology.

Anaerobic Respiration

A process used by certain microorganisms to obtain energy in environments lacking oxygen.

Endospores

Resting structures that some bacteria, like Bacillus and Clostridium species, produce to survive extreme conditions.

Anaerobic chemolithotrophs

Microorganisms that obtain energy through anaerobic respiration using inorganic chemicals.

Oxygenic phototrophs

Photosynthetic organisms like Cyanobacteria that use water as an electron source and produce oxygen.

Facultative anaerobes

Organisms that can use oxygen for aerobic respiration or switch to fermentation when oxygen is absent.

Obligate aerobes

Prokaryotes that require oxygen for their survival and exclusively use aerobic respiration.

Extreme halophiles

A group of Archaea found in high salt concentrations environments, requiring around 9% salt for survival.