Biodiversity and Classification of Microorganisms

The flashcards cover the biodiversity and classification of microorganisms, including fungi, protists, bacteria, and viruses, as well as the human immune response and biotechnology applications.

Microorganisms

Organisms that can carry out the seven life processes but are too small to be seen with the naked eye.

Eukaryote

An organism whose cells contain a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.

Heterotrophic

An organism that cannot produce its own food and must obtain energy by consuming organic substances.

Saprophytic

Organisms that feed on dead or decaying organic matter by absorbing nutrients.

Hyphae

Interwoven threads that make up the structure of a fungus.

Mycelium

A collective mass of interwoven hyphae that forms the thallus of a fungus.

Candida

A yeast-like fungus responsible for causing the infection known as Thrush.

Protista

Eukaryotic organisms with simple structures and no specialized tissues, mainly found in aquatic environments.

Pseudopodia

Extensions of the cytoplasm and cell membrane in protists like Amoeba used for movement and engulfing food.

Phagosome

A digestive vacuole formed when a protist engulfs food particles through phagocytosis.

Contractile vacuole

An organelle that collects and expels excess water to maintain water balance within a cell.

Phagocytosis

The process by which a cell engulfs food particles by extending pseudopodia around them to form a vacuole.

Osmoregulation

The process of maintaining a cell's water balance to prevent it from bursting, often involving a contractile vacuole.

Binary fission

A form of asexual reproduction where a parent cell splits once to produce two daughter cells.

Zygospore

A thick-walled structure formed by the fusion of two gametes that allows protists to survive harsh conditions.

Vector

An organism, such as the Anopheles mosquito, that spreads a pathogen from one host to another.

Plasmodium

The parasite responsible for causing malaria in humans.

Prokaryotes

Unicellular organisms, such as bacteria, that do not have a membrane-bound nucleus.

Plasmid

A circular ring of DNA found in bacteria that can be passed from one bacterium to another.

Endospore

A resistant, dormant structure formed by bacteria during unfavorable conditions.

Restriction enzyme

An enzyme used in genetic engineering to cut DNA at specific sites, such as cutting the human insulin gene.

Ligase

An enzyme used to create strong bonds between cut ends of DNA, such as securing a gene into a bacterial plasmid.

Tuberculosis (TB)

An opportunistic disease caused by bacteria that primarily affects the lungs.

Decomposers

Saprophytic bacteria and fungi that break down organic matter in the ecosystem.

Viruses

Acellular, submicroscopic entities that are inactive outside a host cell and cannot perform metabolism on their own.

Capsid

The protein coat that surrounds the nucleic acid (DNA or RNA) of a virus.

Lysogenic Phase

The viral replication stage where viral DNA or RNA integrates into the host cell's DNA without destroying the cell immediately.

Lysis

The process where a host cell bursts and dies, releasing new viruses into the surroundings.

Adaptive immune system

A specific defense system in vertebrates involving lymphocytes that respond to pathogens.

Antigen

A protein on the surface of a pathogen that triggers a specific immune response.

T-lymphocytes

Cells responsible for cell-mediated immunity, including Killer T-cells and Helper T-cells.

B-lymphocytes

Cells responsible for antibody-mediated immunity by producing specific plasma and memory cells.

Antibody

An immunoglobulin protein produced by B-cells that binds to antigens to neutralize pathogens.

Active Immunity

Immunity developed when a person's own immune system produces antibodies and memory cells in response to a pathogen or vaccine.

Passive Immunity

Immediate but short-term protection provided by receiving ready-made antibodies from another source, such as breast milk.