Viruses and Prokaryotes: Diversity and Impact

Virus

Infectious particle needing host for replication.

Capsid

Protein coat enclosing viral nucleic acid.

Glycoprotein spikes

Mutating proteins aiding virus in evading immune system.

Sea Star Wasting Disease

Weakens starfish, increasing bacterial infection risk.

Influenza Virus

RNA virus causing respiratory illness, H1N1 subtype.

Measles Virus

Rubeola virus causing fever and rash.

Prokaryotes

Smallest living organisms, include bacteria and archaea.

Bacteria

True living organisms, divided into two domains.

Cyanobacteria

Photosynthetic bacteria, significant for oxygen production.

Thiomargarita namibiensis

Largest known bacterium, lives in oxygen-poor waters.

Heterotrophic Bacteria

Decomposers obtaining energy from organic matter.

Autotrophic Bacteria

Producers making organic compounds via photosynthesis.

Stromatolites

Calcareous mounds formed by cyanobacteria.

Extremophiles

Organisms thriving in extreme environmental conditions.

Methanocaldococcus jannaschii

Methane-producing archaeon from hydrothermal vents.

Fimbriae

Attachment structures on some prokaryotic surfaces.

Ribosomes

Sites of protein synthesis in cells.

Cell Wall

Rigid structure outside prokaryotic cell membranes.

Peptidoglycan

Main component of bacterial cell walls.

Gram-positive

Bacteria with thick peptidoglycan cell walls.

Gram-negative

Bacteria with thin peptidoglycan cell walls.

Binary Fission

Asexual reproduction method in prokaryotes.

Transformation

Uptake of foreign DNA by prokaryotic cells.

Transduction

DNA transfer via bacteriophages between host cells.

Conjugation

Direct DNA transfer between temporarily joined prokaryotes.

Coccus

Round or spherical bacterial shape.

Bacillus

Rod or pill-shaped bacterial structure.

Helical

Spiral-shaped bacteria.

Antibiotic Resistance

Resistance due to overuse and misuse of antibiotics.

MRSA

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, common in healthcare.