Bacteria vs Archaea

Photoautotroph

Uses light as an energy source and CO2 as a carbon source

Photoheterotroph

Uses light as an energy source and organic compounds as a carbon source

Chemoautotroph

Uses chemical compounds as an energy source and CO2 as a carbon source

Chemoheterotroph

Uses chemical compounds as an energy source and organic compounds as a carbon source (like humans)

What is the difference between an aerobe and an anaerobe?

Aerobes are organisms that require oxygen to survive and carry out respiration.

Anaerobes are organisms that do not require oxygen for survival and may even be harmed by it.

What is the difference between being a “facultative anaerobe” and an “obligate anaerobe”?

A facultative anaerobe can survive with or without oxygen, adjusting its metabolism based on oxygen availability.

An obligate anaerobe can only survive in environments without oxygen and is harmed by its presence.

What is horizontal gene transfer? How is it different from vertical gene transfer? Which one had we already learned about?

Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is when organisms exchange genes. Vertical gene transfer is the transmission of genetic material from parent to offspring.

What are the 3 ways that bacteria can perform horizontal gene transfer?

Conjugation, Transformation, Transduction

How would horizontal gene transfer make it challenging to create a phylogenetic tree for prokaryotes?

Horizontal gene transfer complicates the creation of phylogenetic trees because genes can be passed between unrelated organisms, making it difficult to trace evolutionary lineages.