Environmental Microbiology: Algae, Archaea, and Protozoa

This flashcard set covers the characteristics, classification, and importance of Algae, Archaea, and Protozoa as discussed in the Environmental Microbiology lecture.

Algae

Simple eukaryotic photosynthetic organisms that live mostly in aquatic environments such as oceans, lakes, and moist soils, ranging from unicellular microscopic to multicellular forms.

Thallus

The simple body organization of algae which lacks true roots, stems, and leaves.

Diatoms

A type of algae characterized by a cell wall made of silica.

Chlamydomonas nivalis

A type of green algae that contains a red carotenoid pigment, causing the phenomenon known as red snow.

Chlorophyta

The classification of algae specifically referring to Green Algae.

Phaeophyta

The classification of algae specifically referring to Brown algae.

Rhodophyta

The classification of algae specifically referring to Red algae.

Phytoplankton

Major producers of atmospheric oxygen, responsible for approximately $50\%$ of the Earth's oxygen.

Agar

An industrial product derived from algae used as laboratory media.

Algal blooms

Rapid growth of algae due to pollution that can produce toxins, kill fish, contaminate drinking water, and affect human health.

Archaea

Prokaryotic microorganisms that are genetically different from bacteria, possess a unique cell membrane, and are often found in extreme environments.

Ether-linked lipids

The unique components of the archaeal cell membrane that provide more stability than bacterial membranes, allowing survival in extreme conditions.

Pseudopeptidoglycan

Also known as pseudomurein, this substance makes up the cell wall of archaea instead of the peptidoglycan found in bacteria.

S-layer

Surface-layer proteins that constitute the cell wall in archaea.

Methanogens

Archaea that produce methane gas and are found in environments like animal intestines and swamps.

Thermophiles

Archaea that live in high temperatures, such as hot springs or hydrothermal vents where water can reach over $300^{\circ}\text{C}$.

Halophiles

Archaea that live in extremely salty environments, such as salt lakes.

Protozoa

Eukaryotic unicellular organisms that lack cell walls and behave like animals by hunting, eating, and moving.

Sarcodina

A class of protozoa that moves using pseudopodia, such as Amoeba.

Mastigophora

A class of protozoa that moves using one or more flagella, such as Euglena.

Ciliophora

A class of protozoa that moves actively using thousands of cilia, such as Paramecium.

Sporozoa

Endoparasitic protozoa that lack specialized organs for locomotion, such as Plasmodium.

Plasmodium

A pathogenic protozoan that causes Malaria.

Entamoeba histolytica

A pathogenic protozoan responsible for causing Amoebic dysentery.