BIOL 2460 Chapter 4 - Tagged

Prokaryotic Diversity

The variety of prokaryotic life forms, including bacteria and archaea, characterized by diverse habitats and ecological roles.

Microbiomes

Communities of microorganisms that inhabit specific environments, influencing the health and ecology of their hosts.

Symbiotic Environment

An ecological relationship between two different organisms living in close physical proximity, often to the benefit of both.

Biofilm Formation

A coordinated process through which microorganisms adhere to surfaces in a self-produced matrix, creating structured communities.

Gram-Positive Bacteria

Bacteria that retain the Gram stain, indicating a thick peptidoglycan layer in their cell walls.

Eutrophs

Organisms that require many nutrients and typically thrive in nutrient-rich environments.

Obligate Intracellular Bacteria

Bacteria that can only grow within the cells of a host organism, unable to survive independently.

Endospore Producers

Bacteria that can form dormant and highly resistant structures to survive harsh conditions.

Alpha Proteobacteria

A class of proteobacteria that includes oligotrophs, some of which are obligate intracellular pathogens.

Methanogenesis

The process by which certain microorganisms produce methane as a metabolic byproduct, primarily performed by archaea.

Phototrophic Bacteria

Bacteria that obtain energy from light, capable of photosynthesis, divided into oxygenic and anoxygenic groups.

Cyanobacteria

Photosynthetic bacteria that produce oxygen, also known as blue-green algae, and are significant in the nitrogen cycle.

Gram-Negative Bacteria

Bacteria that have a thin peptidoglycan layer and are stained pink by the Gram stain, typically more resistant to antibiotics.

Polymicrobial Communities

Microbial communities composed of multiple species that can interact cooperatively or competitively.

Archaea

A domain of single-celled microorganisms distinct from bacteria, known for their diverse metabolic pathways and extremophilic traits.

Bergey's Manual of Systematic Bacteriology

A standard reference for the classification and identification of bacteria.

Fusobacterium

A genus of gram-negative bacteria commonly found in the human mouth and associated with various oral diseases.

Proteobacteria

A major phylum of gram-negative bacteria that includes a wide array of pathogens and environmental microorganisms.

Tenericutes

A phylum of bacteria that lack a cell wall and are characterized as small and pleomorphic.

Firmicutes

A phylum of bacteria with low G+C content in their DNA, including many important human pathogens.

Methanobacterium

A genus of archaea known for its role in methanogenesis, often found in anaerobic environments.

Thermophiles

Microorganisms that thrive at relatively high temperatures, often used in biotech applications.

Agrobacterium

Gram-negative bacillus

Plant pathogen; one species, A. tumefaciens, causes tumors in plants