Culture Media & Endospores

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts related to culture media and endospores essential for understanding microbial physiology.

Metabolism

All chemical reactions involved in maintaining the living state of the cells and the organism.

Catabolism

The process of breaking molecular structures down, releasing energy in the process.

Anabolism

The process of using energy to build larger molecules from smaller ones.

Macronutrients

Nutrients required in large amounts for microbial growth.

Micronutrients

Nutrients required in trace amounts for microbial growth.

Siderophores

Iron-binding agents produced by cells to obtain iron from insoluble mineral forms.

Endospores

Highly differentiated cells produced by certain bacteria, extremely resistant to heat and harsh conditions, functioning as survival structures.

Sporulation

The process during which certain species of bacteria produce endospores.

Aseptic technique

A series of steps to prevent contamination during the manipulation of cultures and sterile media.

Defined media

Culture media prepared with precise amounts of highly purified chemicals.

Complex media

Culture media that use digests of various microbial or plant products with unknown exact composition.