Prokaryotes: Bacteria and Archaea Overview

These flashcards cover key concepts about prokaryotes, including their structure, reproduction, genetic diversity, ecological roles, and significance in technology and the environment.

What causes the pink color in high salinity water bodies?

The pink color is caused by trillions of prokaryotes (Halobacterium sp.) that thrive in high salinity.

What are the two main domains of prokaryotes?

Bacteria and Archaea.

What is a key structural component of bacterial cell walls?

Peptidoglycan is the fabric of the bacterial cell wall.

What types of environments can extremophiles thrive in?

Extremophiles can live in extreme conditions such as high radiation, temperature, pressure, dryness, and oxygen-poor environments.

What is chemotaxis?

Chemotaxis is the movement of an organism toward or away from a chemical signal.

What method do prokaryotes use for reproduction?

Prokaryotes reproduce via binary fission, which is splitting in half.

What three mechanisms contribute to genetic recombination in prokaryotes?

Transformation, transduction, and conjugation.

How do methanogens contribute to climate change?

Methanogens produce methane during digestion, which is a potent greenhouse gas.

What are phototrophs?

Phototrophs are prokaryotes that obtain energy from light.

How do bacteria participate in the nitrogen cycle?

N-fixing bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen (N2) into ammonia (NH3), making nitrogen available for other organisms.

What role do prokaryotes play in food production?

Prokaryotes are used in food production, including cheese, yogurt, beer, and fermented vegetables.

What distinguishes Gram-positive bacteria from Gram-negative bacteria?

Gram-positive bacteria have a thick peptidoglycan layer, while Gram-negative bacteria have a thin peptidoglycan layer and an outer membrane.

What is the function of fimbriae?

Fimbriae are appendages that allow prokaryotes to attach to surfaces.

What happens during transduction in bacteria?

Transduction involves bacteriophages transferring prokaryotic DNA from one cell to another.

What is the role of the CRISPR-Cas9 system in prokaryotes?

The CRISPR-Cas9 system helps prokaryotes defend against viral attacks and is used in gene editing.

What are heterotrophs?

Heterotrophs are organisms that require organic nutrients to produce other organic compounds.

How do obligate anaerobes differ from obligate aerobes?

Obligate anaerobes are poisoned by oxygen, while obligate aerobes require oxygen for cellular respiration.

What is the significance of plasmids in prokaryotes?

Plasmids are small, circular units of self-replicating DNA that can carry beneficial genes.