Introduction to Evolutionary Biology: Prokaryotes

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary and concepts related to Prokaryotes, their classification, characteristics, and metabolic diversity as discussed in the lecture.

Prokaryotes

The oldest and simplest life forms; fundamentally different from Eukaryotes.

Eukaryotes

Organisms whose cells have a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.

Binary fission

A method of asexual reproduction in prokaryotes where a cell splits into two.

Nucleoid region

The area in prokaryotic cells where DNA is located.

Lateral gene transfer

The transfer of genes between different species, often facilitated by plasmids.

Cyanobacteria

Photosynthetic prokaryotes critical for oxygen production.

Gram-positive

Bacteria that retain the crystal violet stain in the Gram staining procedure.

Gram-negative

Bacteria that do not retain the crystal violet stain and are characterized by a thinner peptidoglycan layer.

Metagenomics

The study of genetic material recovered directly from environmental samples.

Endospores

A resistant form of bacteria that can survive extreme conditions.

Heterotrophs

Organisms that obtain their food by consuming other organisms.

Autotrophs

Organisms that produce their own food through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis.

Photoautotrophs

Organisms that use light energy to convert carbon dioxide into organic compounds.

Chemoautotrophs

Organisms that obtain energy by the oxidation of inorganic substances.

Obligate anaerobes

Organisms that cannot survive in the presence of oxygen.

Facultative anaerobes

Organisms that can grow with or without oxygen.

Thermophiles

Microorganisms that thrive at higher than normal temperatures.

Halophiles

Organisms that thrive in high salt concentrations.

Extremophiles

Organisms that live in extreme environments.

Actinobacteria

Gram-positive bacteria known for their filamentous growth and production of antibiotics.

Firmicutes

A major phylum of bacteria, many of which can form endospores.

Proteobacteria

A diverse group of bacteria that includes many pathogens.

Spirochetes

A group of bacteria characterized by their unique spiral shape.

Chlamydias

Very small, parasitic bacteria with complex life cycles.

Cocci

Spherical bacteria shape.

Bacilli

Rod-shaped bacteria.

Spirilla

Spiral-shaped bacteria.

Euryarchaeota

A phylum of Archaea that includes methanogens and halophiles.

Crenarchaeota

A phylum of Archaea that includes thermophiles.

Mycoplasmas

A group of bacteria that are notable for their lack of cell walls.

Streptomyces

A genus of Actinobacteria that is known for producing antibiotics.

Escherichia coli

A common bacterium found in the intestines, some strains of which can cause food poisoning.

Salmonella

A genus of bacteria that can cause foodborne illness.

Borrelia burgdorferi

The pathogen responsible for Lyme disease.

Treponema pallidum

The bacterium that causes syphilis.

Clostridium sp.

A genus of bacteria known for producing toxins including botulinum.

Thermotoga maritima

A thermophilic bacterium known for its unique structure.

Methanopyrus

An archaeon that is known for producing methane and thriving in extreme environments.

Plasmids

Small, circular DNA molecules within bacteria that can replicate independently of chromosomal DNA.

Bacterial shapes

Classified as coccus (spherical), bacillus (rod), or spirillum (spiral).

Peptidoglycan

A polymer that makes up the cell wall of bacteria.

Pseudomurein

A similar structure to peptidoglycan found in some Archaea.

Colonial growth

Growth form of prokaryotes where they form colonies.

Filamentous growth

A growth form where prokaryotes grow in long, thread-like structures.

Eukaryotic traits

Characteristics such as cell shape and cytoskeleton formation found in Eukaryotes.

Unicellularity

Formed by a single cell, characteristic of many prokaryotes.

Gene transfer mechanisms

Processes by which genetic material is exchanged among organisms.