Characterizing Prokaryotes

The most numerous and diverse group of cellular microbes

Prokaryotes.

Endospores are a concern for food processors, healthcare professionals, and governments because

They are resistant to harsh environmental conditions.

Bacterial genera known for producing endospores

Bacillus and Clostridium.

The most common method of reproduction among prokaryotic cells

Binary fission.

In binary fission, what happens immediately after the cytoplasmic membrane elongates

A cross wall begins to form.

A method that is NOT prokaryotic reproduction

Meiosis.

Prokaryote that exhibits viviparity, where live offspring emerge from the mother cell

Epulopiscium.

The arrangement of prokaryotic cells depends on

The planes of division and separation of daughter cells.

Bacterial shape associated with diplococci, streptococci, and staphylococci arrangements

Coccus.

The basis of modern prokaryotic classification

Genetic relatedness of rRNA sequences.

Manual that provides a classification scheme for prokaryotes

Bergey's Manual of Systematic Bacteriology.

Characteristic feature of archaea that distinguishes them from bacteria

AUG codon codes for methionine.

NOT a domain in the classification of life

Prokarya.

Group of prokaryotes that thrives in extreme environments like hot springs and salty lakes

Archaea.

Halophiles require high concentrations of

Sodium chloride (NaCl).

Type of archaea that produce methane as a metabolic byproduct

Methanogens.

Deeply branching bacteria are considered similar to

The earliest bacteria.

Unique feature of Deinococcus bacteria

They are resistant to extreme radiation.

Cyanobacteria contribute to the environment by performing

Photosynthesis.

Bacteria that lacks a cell wall

Mycoplasma.

Genus of bacteria commonly used in the production of dairy products

Lactobacillus.

Bacteria known to survive refrigeration and can cause disease in pregnant women

Listeria.

Bacillus thuringiensis produces a toxin used as

Insecticide.

Group of bacteria that includes Mycobacterium and Corynebacterium

High G+C Gram-positive bacteria.

Actinomycetes resemble this type of organism due to their filamentous structure

Fungi.

The two phyla of Archaea

Crenarchaeota and Euryarchaeota.

Unlike bacteria, archaea lack this structural component in their cell walls

Peptidoglycan.

In archaea, this type of lipid chains are present in the cell membrane

Branched hydrocarbon chains.

How archaea reproduce

Binary fission, budding, or fragmentation.

Feature NOT found in archaea

Peptidoglycan in the cell wall.

An extremophile is

A prokaryote that requires extreme conditions to survive.

Type of archaea requiring high salt concentrations

Halophiles.

Archaea known to inhabit extremely hot environments

Thermophiles.

Temperature hyperthermophiles must exceed to function

80°C.

Genera of archaea that are hyperthermophiles

Geogemma and Pyrodictium.

Why thermophilic enzymes are useful

They are stable and function at high temperatures.

Commercial application of thermophilic enzymes

Recombinant DNA technologies.

Halobacterium salinarium uses this mechanism to establish proton gradient

Bacteriorhodopsins.

Function of red/orange pigments in halophiles

Protecting from sunlight damage.

Group of archaea responsible for methane production

Methanogens.

Where methanogens can be found

The colons of animals.

Why methanogens are significant in sewage treatment

They digest sludge and generate methane.

Process methanogens use to convert organic acids/hydrogen to methane

Anaerobic respiration.

Estimated methane buried on ocean floor

10 trillion tons.

Group of bacteria resembling earliest life forms

Deeply branching bacteria.

Defining feature of deeply branching bacteria

They live in environments similar to early Earth.

Genus considered among earliest bacterial lineages

Aquifex.

Why Deinococcus is unique

It can withstand extreme radiation.

Bacteria performing photosynthesis using bacteriochlorophyll

Phototrophic bacteria.

How phototrophic bacteria are classified

By their pigment type and electron source.

Characteristic of cyanobacteria

They perform oxygenic photosynthesis.

Structure in cyanobacteria aiding photosynthesis

Photosynthetic lamellae.

Role of heterocysts in cyanobacteria

Nitrogen fixation.

Phototrophic bacteria storing sulfur deposits

Purple sulfur bacteria.

Group Chloroflexi belongs to

Green nonsulfur bacteria.

Defining characteristic of low G+C Gram-positive bacteria

G+C content below 50%.

Bacterial phylum including low G+C Gram-positive bacteria

Firmicutes.

Genus forming endospores important in industry/medicine

Bacillus.

Clostridium species known for producing

Toxins that cause diseases.

Smallest free-living bacteria lacking cell wall

Mycoplasma.

Mycoplasmas colonize these human body parts

Mucous membranes of respiratory/urinary tracts.

Bacterium producing Bt toxin insecticide

Bacillus thuringiensis.

Listeria monocytogenes reproduces under

Refrigeration.

Major risk of Listeria to pregnant women

Can cross placenta and harm fetus.

Bacteria growing in human mouth/stomach/intestines/vagina

Lactobacillus.

Feature of Streptococcus and Enterococcus

Causing numerous diseases.

Common human inhabitant producing harmful toxins/enzymes

Staphylococcus aureus.

Distinguishing feature of high G+C Gram-positive bacteria

G+C content above 50%.

Phylum including high G+C Gram-positive bacteria

Actinobacteria.

Corynebacterium known for producing

Metachromatic granules.

Major feature of Mycobacterium species

Mycolic acid in cell wall.

Bacteria forming branching filaments like fungi

Actinomycetes.

Actinomycetes genus present in human oral cavity/throat

Actinomyces.

Important medical role of Streptomyces

Produce most antibiotics.