Bacterial Diversity: Cyanobacteria and Gram +

These flashcards summarize key vocabulary and concepts related to bacterial diversity, cyanobacteria, and gram-positive bacteria as covered in the lecture.

Bacterial diversity

The range of different species and variations of bacteria, which vary widely in cell structure and metabolism.

Heterotrophs

Bacteria that obtain their energy by consuming organic compounds.

Lithotrophs

Bacteria that obtain energy from inorganic compounds.

Phototrophs

Bacteria that obtain energy from light through photosynthesis.

Cyanobacteria

A phylum of bacteria that are oxygenic phototrophs, producing oxygen through photosynthesis.

Gram-positive bacteria

Bacteria that retain the crystal violet stain used in the Gram staining procedure, appearing purple under a microscope.

Firmicutes

A phylum of gram-positive bacteria that includes many well-known genera, such as Bacillus and Clostridium.

Tenericutes

Gram-positive bacteria that lack a cell wall; also includes the genus Mycoplasma.

Actinobacteria

A phylum of gram-positive bacteria, known for soil-dwelling organisms like Streptomyces.

Gram-negative bacteria

Bacteria that do not retain the crystal violet stain and appear pink due to the counterstain in the Gram staining procedure.

Proteobacteria

A major phylum of gram-negative bacteria with diverse metabolic capabilities.

Spirochetes

Gram-negative bacteria characterized by their helical shape and unique motility through axial filaments.

Cyanophyta

Another term for Cyanobacteria, referring to their blue-green pigments.

Peptidoglycan

A polymer that makes up the cell wall of most bacteria, composed of sugars and amino acids.

Deep-branching bacteria

Bacterial lineages that diverged early in phylogenetic history from other bacteria.

Phototrophy

The process of obtaining energy from light; characteristic of phototrophs.

Thylakoids

Membrane-bound structures within cyanobacteria where photosynthesis occurs.

Akinetes

A type of spore formed by some cyanobacteria that can withstand desiccation.

Heterocysts

Specialized cells in some cyanobacteria that fix nitrogen.

Firmicutes - Bacillus

Genus of bacteria known for large, rod-shaped cells that produce endospores.

B. anthracis

A bacterium that causes anthrax and is known for forming endospores.

Clostridium

A genus of bacteria known for producing endospores and causing diseases like botulism and tetanus.

Bacillus thuringiensis

A bacterium used as a biological insecticide that produces a crystal protein toxic to insects.

Deinococcus radiodurans

A gram-positive bacterium known for its extraordinary resistance to radiation.

Emerging clades

Newly discovered groups of bacteria that exhibit unique traits and have not been widely studied.

Nitrospirae

Gram-negative bacteria that oxidize nitrite to nitrate, playing an important role in nitrogen cycling.

Acidobacteria

A phylum of soil bacteria that are abundant in various environments and are involved in nutrient cycling.

Mycoplasma

A genus of bacteria that completely lack a cell wall and can cause diseases in humans.

Streptomyces

A genus of actinobacteria known for producing antibiotics and having a filamentous growth form.

Leghemoglobin

A protein produced by plants in root nodules that protects nitrogen-fixing bacteria by maintaining anaerobic conditions.

Lactic acid bacteria

A group of bacteria that produce lactic acid as a primary metabolic end product of fermentation.

Listeria monocytogenes

A pathogenic bacterium that can cause listeriosis and is known to invade host cells using an actin propulsion system.