Microbial Diversity and Classification

These flashcards cover key vocabulary related to microbial diversity, classification, and characteristics.

Normal Microbiota

Microbes that are normally found in and on the human body and are often beneficial.

Pathogen

An organism that has the ability to cause disease in a healthy host.

Biodiversity

The variety of life and the different types of species in a specific environment.

Prokaryote

An organism without a nucleus; includes bacteria and archaea.

Eukaryote

An organism with a true, membrane-bound nucleus, classified as a domain of life.

Peptidoglycan

A substance forming the cell walls of bacteria, unique to that domain.

Extremophiles

Organisms that thrive in extreme environmental conditions, often found in archaea.

Binomial nomenclature

The two-name naming system used to classify organisms, consisting of genus and species.

Escherichia coli

A common bacterium that is an example of a species within the genus Escherichia.

Virus

A non-living infectious agent composed of nucleic acid enclosed in a protein coat.

Viroid

A simple infectious agent consisting of a small piece of RNA, not classified as alive.

Prion

An infectious agent composed solely of protein, misfolded and capable of causing disease.

Microscopy

The technology used to view small objects, including microbes, not visible to the naked eye.