Bac/Archaea

This set of flashcards covers important vocabulary and concepts related to bacteria and archaea as discussed in the lecture.

Prokaryotes

Organisms that are unicellular and lack a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles, divided into domains Bacteria and Archaea.

Peptidoglycan

A substance forming the cell wall of many bacteria, consisting of a mixture of sugars and amino acids.

Gram Staining

A laboratory technique used to classify bacteria based on the structural differences in their cell walls.

Endospore

A resistant, dormant structure formed by some bacteria to survive harsh conditions.

Binary Fission

A form of asexual reproduction in prokaryotes where a single cell divides into two identical daughter cells.

Taxis

Movement of organisms in response to a stimulus, such as light (phototaxis) or chemicals (chemotaxis).

Capsule

A sticky outer protective layer found in many prokaryotes, aiding in adherence and protection.

Extremophiles

Organisms, often archaea, that thrive in extreme environmental conditions.

Chemoheterotrophs

Organisms that obtain both energy and carbon from organic compounds.

Horizontal Gene Transfer

The movement of genetic material between organisms other than by descent.

Fimbriae

Hair-like structures on prokaryotes that allow them to adhere to surfaces.

Motile Bacteria

Bacteria capable of movement, typically propelled by flagella.

Autotrophs

Organisms that can produce their own food from inorganic substances.

Facultative Anaerobes

Organisms that can survive with or without oxygen.

Heterotrophs

Organisms that obtain their carbon by consuming organic material.

E. coli

A species of bacteria commonly found in the intestines of humans and other animals, often used in genetic and molecular biology experiments.

Bacillus

Rod-shaped bacteria that are one of the three common bacterial shapes.

Coccus

Spherical-shaped bacteria.

Spirillum

Spiral-shaped bacteria.

Chlamydias

A group of bacteria that are primarily endoparasitic and live within animal cells.

Biofilms

Complex communities of microorganisms that stick to surfaces.

Antibiotics

Substances that kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria.