micro bio unit 1

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.