Introduction to Microbiology and Microbial Taxonomy

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers the fundamental definitions, symbiotic relationships, historical timeline, domains of life, and nomenclature of microorganisms as discussed in the lecture.

Symbiotic relationships

Living together interactions between microbes and plants, animals, or other microbes.

Mutualism

A symbiotic relationship where both partners benefit.

Commensalism

A symbiotic relationship where one partner benefits and the other neither benefits nor is harmed.

Parasitism

A symbiotic relationship where one partner benefits, but the other is harmed.

Human microbiota

Microorganisms living with humans in a commensal or mutual relationship.

Infectious disease

Microorganisms causing disease symptoms in humans.

Microorganisms (microbes)

Minute living things that are usually too small to be seen with the unaided eye, including bacteria, archaea, fungi, protozoa, algae, parasites, and viruses.

Average bacterial dimensions

Typically $1\,\mu\text{m}$ wide and $2$ to $4\,\mu\text{m}$ long, as seen in Escherichia coli.

Three Domains of Life

Classification based on small ribosomal subunit rRNA ($16S$) sequence comparisons, consisting of Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya.

Archaea

Prokaryotic organisms that lack peptidoglycan in their cell walls and possess a different ribosomal structure than bacteria.

Methanogens

A group of Archaea that produce methane as a waste product from respiration.

Extreme halophiles

Archaea that live in extremely salty environments such as the Great Salt Lake or Dead Sea.

Extreme thermophiles

Archaea that live in hot sulfurous water, such as hot springs.

Peptidoglycan

A carbohydrate and protein complex found in the cell walls of Bacteria.

Binary fission

The asexual reproduction method used by bacteria for cell division.

Eukarya

A domain containing organisms with membrane-bound organelles like a nucleus, including Protozoa, Fungi, Algae, Plants, and Animals.

Staphylococcus aureus

A bacterium named for its clustered arrangement (Staphylo-), spherical shape (coccus), and golden colony color (aureus).

Escherichia coli

A bacterium named after Theodor Escherich that resides in the colon (large intestine).