Microorganisms: Bacteria and Fungi

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the biological characteristics, classification, and reproduction of bacteria and fungi based on lecture notes.

Binary fission

The asexual method by which bacteria reproduce by splitting in two.

Bacterial Growth Temperature

The best temperature for bacterial growth is between $25^{\circ}\text{C}$ and $40^{\circ}\text{C}$, while most are killed above $60^{\circ}\text{C}$.

Agar

A special jelly-like substance made from seaweed used as a substrate to grow microbes by providing moisture and nutrients.

Prokaryotic

Simple cells that do not have an organised nucleus, where DNA is simply found in the cytoplasm.

Coccus

A sphere-shaped bacterium.

Bacillus

A rod-shaped bacterium.

Vibrio

A bent rod-shaped bacterium.

Spirillum

A spiral-shaped bacterium.

Diplococcus

A pair of bacterial cells.

Streptococcus

A chain of bacterial cells.

Staphylococcus

A clump of bacterial cells.

Eukaryotic

Organisms, such as fungi, that have true nuclei with a nuclear membrane.

Chitin

A substance that, along with polysaccharides, makes up the cell wall of fungi.

Hyphae

Long thread-like structures that constitute the body of almost all fungi.

Mycelium

A mesh-like structure formed by a collection of hyphae.

Budding

A type of asexual reproduction in yeast where a swelling forms on the parent cell, receives a daughter nucleus, and eventually pinches off.

$$Saccharomyces\,cerevisiae$$

The economic variety of yeast, meaning "sugar fungus," used for producing bread, beer, and wine.

Fermentation

An anaerobic respiration process where yeast converts sugar into alcohol and carbon dioxide: $\text{Yeast} + \text{sugar} = \text{Alcohol} + \text{Carbon dioxide}$.

Saprophytic

Fungi that obtain nutrition by feeding on dead organic substances, such as $Rhizopus$ and $Penicillium$.

Parasitic

Fungi that live on other living organisms and absorb nutrients from their host, such as those causing Athletes foot.

Symbiotic

An interdependent relationship between fungi and other species where both benefit, such as Lichens or Mycorrhiza.

Sporangia

Structures in which fungal spores develop and burst when ripe to release them.

Lactobacillus

Bacteria that break down lactose anaerobically to release lactic acid, used to make yogurt and cheese.

Acetobacter

Bacteria that break down sugar in wine anaerobically to release acetic acid, which produces vinegar.

Zone of inhibition

The clear area on a bacterial colony where bacteria do not grow due to the presence of an inhibitory substance.