Biodiversity and Classification of Microorganisms and Plants

Biodiversity

Variety of life forms in ecosystems.

Microorganisms

Tiny organisms visible only under a microscope.

Five Kingdoms

Classification system: Monera, Protista, Fungi, Plantae, Animalia.

Prokaryotes

Organisms without a true nucleus.

Eukaryotes

Organisms with a true nucleus.

Monera

Kingdom including bacteria.

Protista

Kingdom including unicellular eukaryotes.

Fungi

Kingdom including yeasts and molds.

Plantae

Kingdom including multicellular plants.

Animalia

Kingdom including multicellular animals.

Pathogens

Microorganisms causing diseases.

Viruses

Acellular entities requiring host cells to reproduce.

Acellular

Lacking cellular structure or organization.

Host-specific

Viruses infect specific types of host cells.

Bacteriophage

Virus that infects bacterial cells.

Asexual reproduction

Reproduction without sexual processes.

Binary fission

Asexual reproduction method in bacteria.

Heterotrophic bacteria

Bacteria that cannot produce their own food.

Autotrophic bacteria

Bacteria that produce their own food.

Saprophytic bacteria

Bacteria feeding on dead organic matter.

Parasitic bacteria

Bacteria obtaining food from living hosts.

Mutualistic bacteria

Bacteria benefiting from symbiotic relationships.

Cell wall

Structure providing protection to bacterial cells.

Slime layer

Protective layer surrounding some bacterial cell walls.

Plasma Membrane

Encloses cytoplasm, located beneath cell wall.

Cytoplasm

Fluid containing ribosomes, no membrane-bound organelles.

Nucleus

True nucleus is absent in bacteria.

Nucleoid

Concentration of DNA in bacterial cells.

Flagella

Whip-like structures for bacterial movement.

Bacillus

Rod-shaped bacteria, plural: bacilli.

Coccus

Spherical bacteria, plural: cocci.

Spirillum

Spiral-shaped bacteria, plural: spirilla.

Vibrio

Comma-shaped bacteria.

Protists

Diverse unicellular organisms not fitting other kingdoms.

Eukaryotic

Organisms with true nuclei, like protists.

Protozoa

Animal-like, unicellular, heterotrophic protists.

Algae

Plant-like, autotrophic protists, uni- or multicellular.

Slime Moulds

Fungus-like, multicellular, heterotrophic protists.

Amoeba

Example of protozoa, uses pseudopodia for movement.

Paramecium

Ciliated protozoa, uses cilia for locomotion.

Euglena

Flagellated protist, capable of photosynthesis.

Diatoms

Microscopic, unicellular algae with silica walls.

Chloroplasts

Organelles enabling photosynthesis in algae.

Hyphae

Branched filaments making up fungal structure.

Mycelium

Mass of interwoven hyphae in fungi.

Chitin

Polysaccharide in fungal cell walls.

Saprophytes

Fungi that decompose dead organic matter.

Mutualistic Fungi

Fungi that benefit from symbiotic relationships.

Decomposers

Organisms that break down dead organic matter.

Nitrogen Cycle

Process converting nitrogen for plant uptake.

Nitrifying Bacteria

Convert ammonia to nitrites and nitrates.

Denitrifying Bacteria

Convert nitrates back to atmospheric nitrogen.

Photosynthesis

Process converting light energy into chemical energy.

Nitrogen-Fixing Bacteria

Convert atmospheric nitrogen into plant-usable nitrates.

Escherichia coli (E. coli)

Bacteria producing vitamin K in human intestines.

Opportunistic Infections

Infections occurring when immune system is weak.

HIV/AIDS

Disease caused by Human Immunodeficiency Virus.

CD4 Cells

Immune cells targeted by HIV virus.

Symptoms of HIV

Flu-like symptoms in early infection phase.

AIDS

Final phase of HIV infection with severe symptoms.

Impact on Families

HIV affects health, income, and productivity.

Orphans

Children without parents due to HIV/AIDS.

Economic Impact

HIV reduces labor force and affects industries.

Direct Costs of HIV

Medical care and medication expenses.

Indirect Costs of HIV

Costs from lost productivity and orphan care.

Testing for HIV

Knowing one's HIV status is crucial.

Antiretroviral Drugs (ARVs)

Medications that lower viral load in HIV patients.

Healthy Diet

Essential for supporting immune system in HIV.

Prevention of HIV

Education and avoiding sexual intercourse are key.

Thrush (Candidiasis)

Fungal infection caused by Candida species.

Tuberculosis (TB)

Bacterial infection affecting lungs and other organs.

Malaria

Disease caused by Plasmodium parasites transmitted by mosquitoes.

Safe sex practices

Engaging in sexual activity with protection to prevent STDs.

HIV-negative partner

A sexual partner who is not infected with HIV.

Condom use

Using condoms to reduce STD transmission risk.

STD treatment

Addressing sexually transmitted diseases like syphilis.

Blood contact avoidance

Preventing exposure to blood to reduce infection risk.

Drug abuse effects

Substance misuse leading to risky sexual behaviors.

TB transmission

Spread through inhalation of infected droplets.

Poverty-related disease

Illness exacerbated by poor living conditions.

TB symptoms

Cough, fatigue, weight loss, night sweats, chest pain.

Active TB

Severe form of TB with widespread infection.

Income loss from TB

Financial impact due to inability to work.

TB stigma

Social discrimination against individuals with TB.

TB management

Treatment involves antibiotics over six months.

BCG vaccine

Immunization against TB given shortly after birth.

Drug-resistant TB

TB that does not respond to standard medications.

Multi-drug resistant TB

Requires expensive long-term chemotherapy for treatment.

TB and HIV/AIDS

TB accelerates progression of HIV to AIDS.

Anopheles mosquito

Primary vector for malaria transmission.

Malaria infection process

Parasites enter bloodstream via mosquito saliva.

Secondary host

Organism that supports parasite development after primary host.

Malaria effects

Parasites multiply in the liver after bloodstream infection.

Symptoms of Malaria

Fever, headache, shivering, joint pain, vomiting, convulsions.

Cerebral Malaria

Severe complication causing brain damage.

Vector Mosquitoes

Insects responsible for transmitting malaria.

Prophylactic Medication

Drugs used to prevent malaria infection.

Natural Immunity

Innate defense present at birth.

Acquired Immunity

Immunity developed after pathogen exposure.

First Line of Defence

External barriers preventing pathogen entry.