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Microbes
The foundation of all life forms and believed to be the first living entities on Earth.
Biosphere 2
A self-sustaining ecosystem in the Arizona Desert, used to study self-sustainability.
Extremophiles
Microbes that thrive in extreme environments, such as high temperature or pressure.
LUCA
Last Universal Common Ancestor, a hypothetical ancient organism from which all modern life descends.
Protocell
Pre-cellular forms capable of self-replication of RNA and carrying out basic chemical reactions.
Prokaryotes
Simple cells without membrane-bound organelles, allowing for rapid metabolic processes.
Eukaryotes
More complex cells with membrane-bound organelles, such as plants and animals.
Endosymbiotic Theory
The theory suggesting eukaryotic cells arose when larger cells engulfed smaller prokaryotes.
Peptidoglycan
A key structural component of bacterial cell walls, providing rigidity and protection.
Biofilms
Complex communities of microorganisms that adhere to surfaces, often encased in a self-produced matrix.
Fluid Mosaic Model
Describes the flexible, dynamic nature of the cell membrane.
Pili
Hair-like structures on bacteria used for attachment.
Fimbriae
Similar to pili but might differ in size or number on the cell surface.
Diffusion
Movement of molecules from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration.
Passive Transport
Type of transport requiring no energy, where materials move down their concentration gradient.
Active Transport
Transport mechanism that requires energy to move materials against their concentration gradient.
Gram-Positive Cells
Bacteria with a thick peptidoglycan layer; stains purple in Gram staining.
Gram-Negative Cells
Bacteria with a thin peptidoglycan layer and an outer membrane; stains pink in Gram staining.
Glycocalyx
A protective outer layer composed of polysaccharides found on the surface of some cells.
Flagella
Essential structures for bacterial motility, responsible for movement.
Endoflagella
Unique to spirochetes; provides a corkscrew motion for mobility.
Horizontal Gene Transfer
The process of transferring genes between organisms in the same environment.
