Micro Final

Monosaccharides

Simple sugars like glucose, fructose, and galactose.

Disaccharides

Carbohydrates made of two monosaccharides, such as sucrose, lactose, and maltose.

Polysaccharides

Complex carbohydrates like starch, glycogen, and cellulose.

Triglyceride

A fat molecule composed of glycerol and three fatty acids, used for energy storage.

Phospholipid

A lipid that makes up cell membranes, characterized by being amphipathic.

Saturated Fat

Fats that are solid at room temperature.

Unsaturated Fat

Fats that are liquid at room temperature.

Peptide Bond

The bond formed between amino acids in proteins.

Denaturation

A process in which proteins lose their structure due to heat or pH changes.

Active Site

The region on an enzyme where the substrate binds.

Competitive Inhibitor

A substance that competes with the substrate for the active site of an enzyme.

Noncompetitive Inhibitor

A substance that binds to an enzyme at a site other than the active site, changing the enzyme's shape.

Apoenzyme

An inactive enzyme without its cofactor.

Holoenzyme

An active enzyme formed by an apoenzyme and its cofactor.

DNA

A nucleic acid containing the genetic instructions for all living organisms.

RNA

A nucleic acid involved in protein synthesis, with uracil instead of thymine.

Ribosome

The molecular machine that synthesizes proteins from amino acids.

Prokaryote

A unicellular organism that lacks a nucleus.

Eukaryote

An organism with a complex cell structure, including a nucleus.

Peptidoglycan

A polymer consisting of sugars and amino acids that forms a protective layer in bacterial cell walls.

Antibiotic

A substance that kills or inhibits the growth of bacteria.

Gram Positive Bacteria

Bacteria with a thick layer of peptidoglycan in their cell wall.

Gram Negative Bacteria

Bacteria with a thin layer of peptidoglycan and an outer membrane.

Endotoxin

A component of the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria that can cause a strong immune response.

Exotoxin

Toxins secreted by bacteria that can damage host cells.

Binary Fission

A method of asexual reproduction in bacteria resulting in two identical cells.

Lag Phase

The initial phase of bacterial growth where cells adapt to their environment.

Log Phase

The phase of bacterial growth characterized by rapid cell division.

Stationary Phase

The phase in bacterial growth when nutrient depletion slows down cell division.

Death Phase

The phase where bacterial population declines due to nutrient depletion or waste accumulation.

Psychrophile

Organisms that thrive at low temperatures.

Mesophile

Organisms that grow best at moderate temperatures, such as human body temperature.

Thermophile

Organisms that thrive at high temperatures.

Sterilant

A substance used to kill all microorganisms.

Disinfectant

A chemical agent applied to surfaces to destroy bacteria.

Antiseptic

A substance used to prevent infection by killing or inhibiting the growth of microorganisms on living tissue.

Interferons

Proteins produced by cells in response to viral infections, inducing antiviral states.

Natural Killer Cells

A type of lymphocyte that can kill tumor cells and virus-infected cells.

T Helper Cell

A subtype of T cells that help activate other immune cells.

Cytotoxic T Cell

T cells that are capable of killing infected cells directly.

Memory Cell

Long-lived immune cells that provide rapid responses upon re-exposure to an antigen.

IgM

The first antibody produced in response to an infection.

IgG

The most abundant antibody in the blood, providing long-term protection.

IgE

An antibody involved in allergic reactions.

Endotoxin Symptoms

Fever and shock caused by lipopolysaccharides in the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria.

Lytic Cycle

A viral replication cycle that results in the destruction of the host cell.

Lysogenic Cycle

A viral replication cycle that integrates into the host's genome.

HIV

A retrovirus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Natural Selection

The process where organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.

Mutations

Changes in the DNA sequence that can lead to genetic diversity.

Antibiotic Resistance

The ability of bacteria to withstand the effects of antibiotics.