Bacterial Growth and Differentiation

100 vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts in bacterial growth and differentiation.

Salinity

High salt concentration that limits the growth of microbes adapted to freshwater conditions.

Halosensitive

Microbes that require low salt concentrations for growth.

Halotolerant

Microbes that can tolerate a range of salt concentrations but prefer lower levels.

Halophile

Microbes that thrive in high salt concentrations.

pH

The measure of acidity or alkalinity affecting enzyme activity and microbial growth.

Acidophile

Microbes that thrive in acidic environments (pH 0.0 to 5.5).

Neutrophiles

Microbes that prefer neutral pH environments (pH 6.0 to 8.0).

Alkalinophile

Microbes that thrive in alkaline environments (pH 8.0 to 11.5).

Oxygen

Essential for some microbes that use it as an electron acceptor during respiration.

Obligate Aerobe

Microbes that require oxygen for growth.

Obligate Anaerobe

Microbes that cannot survive in the presence of oxygen.

Facultative Anaerobe

Microbes that use oxygen if present but can grow without it.

Aerotolerant Anaerobe

Microbes that do not use oxygen but can tolerate its presence.

Bioremediation

A waste management technique using living organisms to remove pollutants.

Assimilation

The process by which microbes convert essential elements into biomass.

Dissimilation

The catabolism of organic matter that releases energy and generates CO2.

Food Web

The complex network of feeding interactions involving various organisms.

Symbiosis

A mutual relationship between different species to benefit each other.

Mutualism

A type of symbiosis where both organisms benefit from the relationship.

Commensalism

A symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits while the other is neither helped nor harmed.

Parasitism

A relationship where one organism benefits at the expense of another.

Synergism

A cooperative interaction where both organisms benefit through mutual support.

Antagonism

A relationship involving competition where one organism harms another.

Metabolic Groups

Classification of microorganisms based on their carbon, energy, and electron sources.

Autotrophs

Organisms that obtain carbon from inorganic sources like CO2.

Heterotrophs

Organisms that obtain carbon from preformed organic compounds.

Photoautotrophs

Organisms that capture light energy to convert CO2 into organic compounds.

Chemoautotrophs

Organisms that obtain energy from the oxidation of inorganic compounds.

Lag Phase

The initial phase of bacterial growth where cells acclimate to a new environment.

Log Phase

A rapid growth phase where the population increases exponentially.

Stationary Phase

A phase where nutrient depletion and waste accumulation stabilize population size.

Decline Phase

A phase where cell death exceeds cell production.

Cardinal Temperatures

The minimum, maximum, and optimum temperatures for microbial growth.

Psychrophiles

Microbes that grow optimally at temperatures below 15°C.

Mesophiles

Microbes that grow optimally between 20°C and 45°C.

Thermophiles

Microbes that grow optimally above 45°C.

Hyperthermophiles

Microbes that grow optimally above 80°C.

Halosensitive Range

0-5% NaCl concentration suitable for halosensitive microbes.

Halotolerant Range

0-15% NaCl concentration suitable for halotolerant microbes.

Halophile Range

Greater than 10% NaCl concentration suitable for halophiles.

Acidophiles Range

Acid-loving microbes grow well in pH 0.0 to 5.5.

Neutrophiles Range

Microbes that thrive at pH 6.0 to 8.0.

Alkaliphiles Range

Microbes that thrive at pH 8.0 to 11.5.

Obligate Aerobes

Microbes that strictly require oxygen for respiration.

Microaerophiles

Microbes that require low concentrations of oxygen for growth.

Extracellular Polymeric Substances (EPS)

A thick matrix formed by biofilms to retain nutrients and fluids.

Biofilm

A mass of bacteria adhering to a surface, forming structures.

Endospores

Resistant structures formed by bacteria for survival under stress.

Catabolism

The breakdown of complex molecules to release energy.

Anabolism

The synthesis of complex molecules from simpler ones requiring energy.

NADH

An electron carrier in metabolic pathways.

Oxidative Phosphorylation

The process of ATP production via the electron transport chain.

Chemiosmosis

The movement of ions across a membrane to generate ATP.

Fermentation

Anaerobic process to produce energy without the use of oxygen.

Lipid Catabolism

The breakdown of lipids for energy production.

Amino Acid Catabolism

The breakdown of amino acids for energy use.

Photosynthesis

The process by which autotrophs capture light energy to produce biomass.

Calvin Cycle

The cycle in photosynthesis responsible for fixing CO2 into organic molecules.

Antisepsis

Reduction of pathogens on living tissue.

Disinfection

Destruction of most microorganisms on nonliving surfaces.

Pasteurization

The process of heating food to destroy pathogens.

Sterilization

The complete elimination of all microorganisms.

Decimal Reduction Time (DRT)

The time required to kill 90% of a population of microorganisms.

Prions

Infectious agents composed of protein that are highly resistant to destruction.

Bacterial Endospores

Dormant forms of bacteria that protect against adverse conditions.

Mycobacterium

A genus of bacteria with a waxy coat protecting against heat and chemicals.

Gram-negative

Bacteria with two lipid bilayers that provide more resistance to antibiotics.

Gram-positive

Bacteria with a thick peptidoglycan layer more susceptible to antibiotics.

Filtration

A mechanical process to separate and retain microbes from liquids or gases.

Autoclave

A device that uses steam under pressure to sterilize equipment.

Lyophilization

A freeze-drying process used to preserve microbial cultures.

Radiation

The use of electromagnetic waves to sterilize food.

Sporulation

The process through which bacteria form endospores.

Heat Sterilization

Using high temperatures to kill microorganisms.

Moist Heat

Heat application that uses moisture to denature proteins.

Dry Heat

Heat application that dehydrates cells and alters protein structures.

Irradiation Effects

Denaturation and mutations caused by exposure to radiation.

Proton Gradient

A difference in proton concentration across a membrane used in ATP synthesis.