Prokaryotic & Eukaryotic Cell Profiles and Microbial Metabolism

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts related to prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, microbial metabolism, and microbial growth.

Monomorphic

Organisms or cells that have a uniform shape.

Pleomorphic

Organisms or cells that can have more than one shape.

Coccus

A spherical shaped bacterium.

Bacillus

A rod-shaped bacterium.

Vibrio

A comma-shaped bacterium.

Coccobacillus

A bacterium that is intermediate in shape between cocci and bacilli.

Spirilla

A rigid, spiral-shaped bacterium.

Spirochete

A flexible, spiral-shaped bacterium.

Diplo

A bacterial arrangement where cells form pairs.

Strepto

A bacterial arrangement where cells form long chains.

Staphylo

A bacterial arrangement where cells form clusters resembling grapes.

Tetrads

A bacterial arrangement where cells form groups of four.

Sarcinae

A bacterial arrangement forming cube-like packets of eight cells.

Fluid Mosaic Model

A model describing the structure of the cell membrane as a mosaic of components such as lipids, proteins, and carbohydrates.

Plasma Membrane Functions

Regulates the passage of substances in and out of the cell.

Peripheral Proteins

Proteins that are loosely attached to the surface of the membrane and have various roles including signaling.

Integral Proteins

Proteins that are embedded within the membrane and often function as channels or transporters.

Simple Diffusion

The passive movement of molecules from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration.

Facilitated Diffusion

The process of passive transport of molecules across a cell membrane via specific transport proteins.

Osmosis

The diffusion of water molecules across a semi-permeable membrane.

Active Transport

The energy-requiring process of moving molecules against their concentration gradient.

Group Translocation

A process where a substance is chemically altered during its transport across a membrane.

Cell Wall Functions

Provides structural support and protection for bacterial cells.

Composition of Cell Walls

Mainly composed of peptidoglycan in bacteria.

Peptidoglycan Structure

Composed of a glycan portion (sugar chain) and a peptide portion (amino acid chain).

Gram-positive Cell Wall

Thick peptidoglycan layer containing teichoic acids.

Lipoteichoic Acid

A component of Gram-positive cell walls that contributes to the cell's structural integrity.

Gram-negative Cell Wall

Thin peptidoglycan layer surrounded by an outer membrane containing lipopolysaccharides.

Periplasm

The space between the outer membrane and the plasma membrane in Gram-negative bacteria.

Porins

Proteins that form channels through the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria.

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) Components

Consists of Lipid A, core polysaccharide, and O polysaccharide.

Capsule

A thick, protective layer outside the cell wall of some bacteria.

Slime Layer

A loosely attached, thin layer outside the cell wall, aiding in adhesion.

Flagella

Long, whip-like structures used for bacterial locomotion.

Atrichous

Bacteria lacking flagella.

Peritrichous

Bacteria with flagella distributed all over the surface.

Monotrichous

Bacteria with a single flagellum at one end.

Lophotrichous

Bacteria with a tuft of flagella at one end.

Amphitrichous

Bacteria with flagella at both ends.

Fimbria

Hair-like appendages that help bacteria adhere to surfaces.

Pili

Hair-like structures used for attachment and genetic exchange during conjugation.

Conjugation Pili

Specialized pili used for the transfer of genetic material between bacteria.

Nucleoid

The region in prokaryotic cells where DNA is located.

Plasmid

A small, circular piece of DNA that can replicate independently of chromosomal DNA.

Endospore

A resistant dormant structure formed by some bacteria to survive extreme conditions.

Sporulation

The process of endospore formation.

Germination

The process by which an endospore returns to a vegetative state.

Eukaryotes

Organisms comprised of cells with a nucleus, including animals, plants, fungi, and protists.

Mitochondria

Organelles that produce ATP through cellular respiration.

Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (RER)

An organelle involved in protein synthesis and modification, characterized by ribosomes.

Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (SER)

An organelle involved in lipid synthesis and detoxification.

Golgi Apparatus

An organelle that modifies, sorts, and packages proteins and lipids for secretion or use.

Lysosomes

Organelles that contain digestive enzymes for breakdown of waste and cellular debris.

Centrioles

Organelles that play a crucial role in cell division.

Peroxisomes

Organelles that contain enzymes that detoxify harmful substances.

Endosymbiotic Theory

The theory that eukaryotic cells evolved from symbiotic prokaryotes.

Cytoskeleton

The network of protein filaments and tubules that provide structural support and shape to the cell.

Enzyme

Biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions in cells.

Catalyst

A substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without being consumed.

Active Site of an Enzyme

The region on the enzyme where substrates bind and undergo a chemical reaction.

Apoenzyme

The protein portion of an enzyme, inactive without its cofactor.

Cofactor

A non-protein molecule that assists enzymes in catalysis.

Coenzyme

A specific type of cofactor that is an organic molecule.

Holoenzyme

The complete and active form of an enzyme, consisting of the apoenzyme and its cofactor.

Electron Carriers

Molecules that transport electrons during redox reactions.

NAD

A coenzyme that acts as an electron carrier in metabolic reactions.

Glycolysis

The metabolic pathway that converts glucose into pyruvate, producing ATP and NADH.

Kreb’s Cycle

The series of chemical reactions used by all aerobic organisms to release stored energy.

Substrate-Level Phosphorylation

The direct formation of ATP by transferring a phosphate group to ADP.

Fermentation

The metabolic process that converts sugars to acids, gases, or alcohol in the absence of oxygen.

Microbial Growth

An increase in the number of cells in a population over time.

Binary Fission

A method of asexual reproduction used by bacteria.

Generation Time

The time it takes for a bacterial population to double.

Aerobe

Organisms that require oxygen for growth.

Anaerobe

Organisms that grow without oxygen.