Prokaryotic Diversity and Taxonomy

A collection of 30 vocabulary flashcards covering prokaryote habitats, relationships, microbiomes, bacterial taxonomy, and archaea based on the lecture notes.

Prokaryotes

Unicellular microorganisms whose cells have no nucleus or any other membrane-bound organelles.

Mutualism

A type of symbiotic relationship in which both Population A and Population B benefit.

Amensalism

A type of symbiotic relationship in which Population A is harmed while Population B is unaffected.

Commensalism

A type of symbiotic relationship in which Population A benefits while Population B is unaffected.

Neutralism

A type of symbiotic relationship in which both Population A and Population B are unaffected.

Parasitism

A type of symbiotic relationship in which Population A benefits while Population B is harmed.

Microbiome

The totality of forms of prokaryotes (particularly bacteria) living on the human, which varies between regions of the body and individuals, and changes over time.

Resident microbiota

Microorganisms that constantly live in or on our bodies.

Transient microbiota

Microorganisms that are only temporarily found in the human body.

Low G+C gram-positive bacteria

Gram-positive bacteria with less than $50\%$ of guanine and cytosine nucleotides in their DNA.

High G+C gram-positive bacteria

Gram-positive bacteria with greater than $50\%$ of guanine and cytosine nucleotides in their DNA.

Oligotrophs

Organisms capable of living in low-nutrient environments.

Eutrophs

Organisms that require a copious amount of organic nutrients.

Rickettsia rickettsii

A species of Alphaproteobacteria spread by ticks that causes Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

Bordetella pertussis

A bacterium belonging to Betaproteobacteria that causes pertussis (whooping cough).

Gammaproteobacteria

The largest and most diverse group of Proteobacteria.

Legionella pneumophila

An aquatic bacterium that tends to inhabit pools of warm water (such as tanks of air conditioning units in large buildings) and causes Legionnaires' disease.

Coliforms

Enteric bacteria belonging to Enterobacteriaceae that ferment lactose.

Campylobacter jejuni

A member of Epsilonproteobacteria often transmitted by chickens that causes food poisoning manifesting as severe enteritis.

Helicobacter pylori

A beneficial member of stomach microbiota that is also the most common cause of chronic gastritis and ulcers, and is linked to stomach cancer.

CFB group

A phylum comprising Cytophaga, Fusobacterium, and Bacteroides, which are rod-shaped anaerobic organoheterotrophs and avid fermenters.

Cyanobacteria

Oxygen-producing phototrophic bacteria thought to have played a critical role in the formation of the earth's atmosphere.

Corynebacterium diphtheriae

A high G+C gram-positive bacterium that causes diphtheria by producing a toxin that forms a pseudomembrane in the patient's throat.

Clostridium tetani

A low G+C gram-positive bacterium that produces a neurotoxin blocking inhibition of nerve impulses in muscle contractions, causing spastic paralysis.

Clostridium botulinum

A low G+C gram-positive bacterium that produces botulinum neurotoxin, which blocks the release of acetylcholine at neuromuscular junctions and causes flaccid paralysis.

Streptococcus pyogenes

The most common cause of bacterial pharyngitis (strep throat), which can also cause skin infections like impetigo and necrotizing fasciitis.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae

A small, pleomorphic bacterium that lacks cell walls and causes atypical pneumonia ("walking pneumonia").

Deeply branching bacteria

Bacteria that are phylogenetically the most ancient forms of life, being closest to the last universal common ancestor.

Methanogens

Methane-producing archaea.

Halophilic archaea

Archaea that prefer salt concentrations close to saturation and perform photosynthesis using bacteriorhodopsin.