Microbial Diversity and Taxonomy

These flashcards cover key concepts and vocabulary related to microbiology, taxonomy, and metabolic diversity as discussed in the lecture.

Taxonomy

The science of classifying and naming organisms.

Domain

The highest taxonomic rank in biology, which classifies life into three categories: Archaea, Bacteria, and Eukarya.

Phylum

A level of classification below domain and above class, often characterized by a fundamental body plan.

Pseudomonadota

A phylum of bacteria, formerly known as Proteobacteria, characterized by diverse metabolic capabilities.

Phenotypic similarity

The classification of organisms based on observable traits or characteristics.

16S rRNA

A component of the ribosomal RNA that is used as a molecular marker for phylogenetic studies and classification of bacteria.

Vertical gene transfer

The genetic transmission of traits from parent organisms to offspring.

Horizontal gene transfer

The transfer of genetic material between organisms in a manner other than traditional reproduction.

Phylogenetic tree

A diagram that represents the evolutionary relationships among various biological species based on their genetic characteristics.

Rubisco

A key enzyme in the process of photosynthesis that catalyzes the fixation of carbon dioxide.

GC content

The percentage of guanine (G) and cytosine (C) nucleotides in a DNA molecule, often used to infer relatedness in phylogenetic studies.

Solar energy conversion

The process by which organisms convert sunlight into chemical energy.

Comparative genomics

The field of biological research in which the genomic features of different organisms are compared.

Microbiome

The collection of microorganisms living in a specific environment, particularly the human body.