Lec 5

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts from the introduction to microbiology, evolutionary processes, and historical perspectives on microbiology.

SARS CoV two

A virus responsible for COVID-19, studied for its transmission and evolution.

Vibrio cholerae

A bacterium that causes cholera, studied for its evolution and transmission.

Phylogeny

The evolutionary history and relationships among species or groups.

Microbe

An organism too small to be seen without a microscope.

Symbiosis

A relationship between two different organisms living in close physical proximity.

Commensal bacteria

Bacteria that coexist with a host without causing harm.

Stromatolites

Structures formed by the activity of microbial mats, indicators of ancient life.

E. coli

A common bacterium used in laboratory studies of evolution and genetics.

Koch's postulates

A series of criteria to establish the causative relationship between a microbe and a disease.

Gut microbiome

The community of microorganisms living in the digestive tracts of humans and other animals.

DNA sequencing

The process of determining the exact order of nucleotides in a DNA molecule.

Plasmid

An independent, circular piece of DNA found in bacteria, often carrying genes for antibiotic resistance.

Natural selection

The process where organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.

Genome

The complete set of genetic material in an organism.

Antimicrobial peptides

Small proteins produced by organisms to protect against microbial infections.

Nucleotide

The basic building block of DNA and RNA composed of a sugar, phosphate, and a nitrogenous base.

Horizontal gene transfer

The transfer of genes between organisms in a manner other than traditional reproduction.

Metabolism

The chemical processes that occur within a living organism to maintain life.

Evolution

The process through which species change over time through genetic variation and natural selection.

Microbial communities

Groups of different species of microbes living together in a specific environment.

Photosynthesis

The process by which green plants and some microorganisms use sunlight to synthesize foods with carbon dioxide and water.

Aerobic respiration

A form of respiration that uses oxygen to convert glucose into energy.

Fungi

A group of spore-producing organisms feeding on organic matter, including mushrooms and yeasts.

Antibiotic resistance

The ability of bacteria to resist the effects of an antibiotic.

Fitness

The reproductive success of an organism relative to the average reproductive success in a population.

Cell division

The process by which a parent cell divides into two or more daughter cells.

Bacterial ancestors of mitochondria

The theory that mitochondria in eukaryotic cells evolved from bacteria.

Surface area to volume ratio

A measure important in determining the efficiency of a cell's ability to absorb nutrients.

Ecological niche

The role and position a species has in its environment.

Microscope

An instrument used to see objects that are too small for the naked eye.

Fermentation

The chemical process by which molecules such as glucose are broken down anaerobically.

Cyanobacteria

Photosynthetic bacteria that generate oxygen and are thought to have influenced the early Earth's atmosphere.