Exploring Creation with Biology: Module 2

2nd Edition. Terms & Definitions.

Pathogen

An organism that causes disease.

Saprophyte

An organism that feeds on dead matter.

Parasite

An organism that feeds on a living host.

Aerobic organism

An organism that requires oxygen.

Anaerobic organism

An organism that does not require oxygen.

Steady state

A state in which members of a population die as quickly as new members are born.

Exponential growth

Population growth that is unhindered because of the abundance of resources for an ever-increasing population.

Logistic growth

Population growth that is controlled by limited resources.

Conjugation

A temporary union of two organisms for the purpose of DNA transfer.

Plasmid

A small circular section of extra DNA that confers one or more traits to a bacterium and can be reproduced separately from the main bacterial genetic code.

Transformation

The transfer of a DNA segment from a nonfunctional donor cell to that of a functional recipient cell.

Transduction

The process in which infection by a virus results in DNA being transferred from one bacterium to another.

Endospore

The DNA and other essential parts of a bacterium coated with several hard layers.

Strains

Organisms from the same species that have markedly different traits.