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Bacteria
Unicellular prokaryotes lacking membrane-bound nucleus.
Archaea
Prokaryotes with distinct plasma membranes and cell walls.
Prokaryotes
Organisms without a membrane-bound nucleus.
Microbiome
Community of microbes inhabiting a specific area.
Extremophiles
Prokaryotes thriving in extreme environments.
Koch's Postulates
Criteria linking specific microbes to specific diseases.
Germ Theory
Theory stating some diseases are caused by microbes.
Pathogens
Bacteria causing illness in humans.
Bioremediation
Use of microbes to clean up environmental contaminants.
Habitat Diversity
Variety of environments where bacteria and archaea thrive.
Marine Archaea
Over 10,000 individuals per mL in seawater.
Microbiology
Study of microbes including bacteria and archaea.
Antibiotics
Substances that inhibit bacterial ribosome function.
Human Microbiome
Microbes residing on and within the human body.
Fossil Record
Oldest fossils are 3.5 billion years old.
Eukarya
Third major domain of life, includes multicellular organisms.
Hydrothermal Vents
Extreme habitats where some extremophiles are found.
Phytophthora infestans
Pathogen responsible for potato famine.
Infectious Diseases
Diseases spread by microbes through various transmission methods.
Microbial Abundance
Bacteria and archaea dominate total life-form volume.
Enzymes
Proteins used in industrial processes at extreme conditions.
Transmission Methods
Ways infectious diseases spread among hosts.
Virulence
Ability of an organism to cause disease.
Heritable trait
Characteristic that can be passed to offspring.
Pathogenic strains
Bacteria capable of causing disease.
Escherichia coli
Bacteria with both pathogenic and harmless strains.
Virulence genes
Genes that enhance pathogenicity in bacteria.
E. coli O157:H7
Pathogenic strain harmful to humans.
Endospores
Dormant structures formed under environmental stress.
Thick-walled structure
Characteristic of endospores for protection.
Resistant to stressors
Endospores withstand heat, UV, and antibiotics.
Resume growth
Endospores reactivate in favorable conditions.
Antibiotics
Molecules that kill or inhibit bacterial growth.
Natural production
Antibiotics produced by soil bacteria and fungi.
Drug resistance
Bacteria evolve to survive antibiotic treatment.
Biofilms
Bacterial colonies protected by a polysaccharide matrix.
Bioremediation
Use of microbes to clean polluted environments.
Water pollutants
Toxic substances that do not dissolve in water.
Fertilizing contaminated sites
Encouraging growth of bacteria in polluted areas.
Seeding
Adding specific bacteria to enhance bioremediation.
Clostridium difficile
Bacteria known for endospore formation.
Enrichment Cultures
Isolate cells growing under specific laboratory conditions.
Thermophiles
Microbes that thrive in high-temperature environments.
Metagenomics
Environmental sequencing to identify species via DNA.
Prokaryotic Diversity
Variety of prokaryotic organisms in different habitats.
Human Microbiome
Community of microbes inhabiting the human body.
Gut Microbiome
100 trillion bacteria and archaea in the gut.
Symbiotic Prokaryotes
Prokaryotes that benefit human health and function.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Condition linked to changes in gut microbiome.
Obesity
Health issue associated with gut microbiome alterations.
Molecular Phylogenetics
Study of evolutionary relationships using molecular data.
16S rRNA
RNA used to study bacterial phylogenetics.
18S rRNA
RNA used to study eukaryotic phylogenetics.
Tree of Life
Phylogenetic tree representing evolutionary relationships.
Carl Woese
Scientist who analyzed rRNA for phylogenetic studies.
Monophyletic Groups
Clades representing a common ancestor in phylogeny.
Clades
Lineages derived from a common ancestor.
Three Domains Hypothesis
Life divided into Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya.
Prokaryotes
Single-celled organisms without a nucleus.
Eukaryotes
Organisms with complex cells containing a nucleus.
Morphological Characteristics
Physical traits used in phylogenetic analysis.
Molecular Characteristics
Genetic traits used in phylogenetic analysis.
Genetic Variation
Diversity in genetic traits among organisms.
Gene Transfer
Movement of genetic material between organisms.
Lateral Gene Transfer
Acquisition of traits not via reproduction.
Transformation
DNA uptake from environment by bacteria.
Transduction
DNA transfer via viruses between prokaryotes.
Conjugation
Direct transfer of genetic material between cells.
Plasmid Transfer
Transfer of plasmids during conjugation.
Morphological Diversity
Variation in size, shape, and arrangement of bacteria.
Gram Stain
Dyeing technique to classify bacterial cell walls.
Gram-positive Cells
Bacteria with thick peptidoglycan layers, appear purple.
Gram-negative Cells
Bacteria with thin peptidoglycan, appear pink.
Metabolic Diversity
Variety of metabolic pathways in bacteria and archaea.
Phototrophs
Organisms using light for ATP production.
Chemoorganotrophs
Organisms oxidizing organic molecules for energy.
Chemolithotrophs
Organisms oxidizing inorganic molecules for energy.
Autotrophs
Organisms synthesizing compounds from simple materials.
Heterotrophs
Organisms obtaining compounds from their environment.
Cellular Respiration
Process of generating ATP through electron transport.
Fermentation
ATP production without electron transport chains.
Photophosphorylation
ATP synthesis using light energy.
Oxygenic Photosynthesis
Photosynthesis using water as electron source.
Anoxygenic Photosynthesis
Photosynthesis without producing oxygen.
Nitrogen Fixation
Conversion of atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms.
Nitrogen Cycle
Movement of nitrogen through ecosystems.
Nitrate Pollution
Environmental impact from excess nitrates in water.
Actinobacteria
Filamentous bacteria important for decomposition.
Chlamydiae
Least diverse bacteria, live as parasites.
Cyanobacteria
Photosynthetic bacteria producing oxygen and organic matter.
Firmicutes
Bacteria aiding digestion and causing diseases.
Proteobacteria
Diverse bacteria involved in nitrogen cycling.
Spirochaetes
Corkscrew-shaped bacteria, some are pathogens.
Crenarchaeota
Archaea thriving in extreme environments.
Euryarchaeota
Archaea living in diverse habitats.
Thaumarchaeota
Ancient archaeal lineage abundant in various environments.