Booster Cheat Sheets™ – Biological Diversity: Taxonomy and Microbes

55 flashcards covering taxonomy, microbial types, and cell wall/genome differences from the notes.

What is a taxonomic rank?

The classification level from most general at the top to most specific at the bottom.

According to the notes, what are the genus and species for humans?

Homo (genus) and sapiens (species).

What are obligate aerobes?

Microbes that require oxygen to survive and make up part of the microbiome.

What do bad bacteria in the body cause?

Infections such as gonorrhea, tuberculosis, leprosy, and pneumonia.

What benefits do good bacteria provide?

They synthesize vitamins and enhance metabolism.

What happens with extended antibiotic use?

Vitamin deficiency due to depletion of vitamin-metabolizing bacteria.

What is an obligate anaerobe?

An organism that cannot survive in the presence of oxygen.

What is a facultative anaerobe?

Grows in presence of O2 but can use anaerobic metabolism when O2 is absent.

What color do Gram-positive bacteria stain?

Purple.

What color do Gram-negative bacteria stain?

Pink.

What distinguishes Gram-positive from Gram-negative cell walls?

Gram-positive have a thick peptidoglycan layer and no outer membrane; Gram-negative have a thin peptidoglycan layer and an outer membrane with LPS.

What component increases Gram-positive cell wall flexibility?

Teichoic acids.

What endotoxins are associated with Gram-negative bacteria?

Endotoxins from lipopolysaccharides (LPS) in the outer membrane.

What is the role of teichoic acids in Gram-positive cell walls?

They increase cell wall flexibility.

What is an endospore?

A durable structure produced by some bacteria to survive extreme conditions.

Which organisms were among the first to appear?

Anaerobic prokaryotes.

Name the three domains of life.

Eukarya, Archaea, Bacteria.

What is a heterotroph?

An organism that consumes organic substances/food produced from autotrophs.

What is an autotroph?

An organism that produces organic substances/food.

What is the genome feature of Eukarya?

Multiple, long linear chromosomes; DNA in nucleus.

What is the genome feature of Archaea?

Single, short, and circular DNA; DNA in nucleoid region; may contain plasmids.

What is the genome feature of Bacteria?

Single, short, and circular DNA; DNA in nucleoid region; may contain plasmids.

Who are consumers of organic substances and who are producers of organic substances?

Heterotrophs consume organic substances; Autotrophs produce organic substances.

What is notable about earliest autotrophic cells?

They were anaerobic but capable of photosynthesis; cyanobacteria are examples.

What energy source do chemoheterotrophs use?

Organic compounds.

What carbon source do chemoheterotrophs use?

Organic materials consumed from organic substrates.

What energy source do chemoautotrophs use?

Inorganic chemicals such as H2S or NH3.

What carbon source do chemoautotrophs use?

CO2 or HCO3- (inorganic carbon).

Where does transcription occur in Eukarya?

In the nucleus.

Where does transcription occur in Archaea and Bacteria?

In the cytoplasm (simultaneous with translation).

Where does translation occur in all three domains?

In the cytoplasm.

Do histones exist in Eukarya?

Yes.

Do histones exist in Archaea?

Yes.

Do histones exist in Bacteria?

No.

What are photoheterotrophs?

Organisms that use light for energy and obtain carbon by consuming organic materials.

What are photoautotrophs?

Organisms that use light for energy and produce organic substances via photosynthesis; carbon from CO2/HCO3-.

Where are bacteria commonly found at the top of a pond?

At the top of a pond.

Introns: are they present in Eukarya and Archaea?

Yes in Eukarya and Archaea; No in Bacteria.

Ribosomes: are they present in Eukarya, Archaea, and Bacteria?

Yes, in all three domains.

Plant cell wall composition?

Cellulose.

Fungi cell wall composition?

Chitin.

What cell wall component is found in some Archaea?

Pseudomurein.

What cell wall component is typical of Bacteria?

Peptidoglycan.

Do prokaryotes have organelles?

No; organelles are characteristic of eukaryotes.

Do eukaryotes have organelles?

Yes.

Are ribosomes found in all three domains?

Yes.

Which stain outcome is associated with Gram-positive bacteria?

Stains purple.

Which stain outcome is associated with Gram-negative bacteria?

Stains pink.

What is the outer membrane component that contains LPS in Gram-negative bacteria?

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the outer membrane.

What happens when Gram-negative membranes are broken down?

Endotoxins can be released from LPS.

What is the role of teichoic acids in Gram-positive bacteria?

They increase cell wall flexibility.

What is the function of endospores for bacteria?

They provide durability to survive extreme environmental conditions.

Where are the majority of mammalian microorganisms found?

Inside mammals (in/on our bodies).

Do Gram-positive bacteria have an outer membrane?

No.

Do Gram-negative bacteria produce endotoxins?

Yes, when their outer membrane is broken down.

Which domain includes humans?

Eukarya.

What does LPS stand for?

Lipopolysaccharide.

What domain contains archaea?

Archaea.

What domain contains bacteria?

Bacteria.

What domain contains plants and animals?

Eukarya.

What feature differentiates Gram-positive and Gram-negative staining?

Gram-positive have thick peptidoglycan and no outer membrane (purple); Gram-negative have thin peptidoglycan, an outer membrane, and LPS (pink).