Introduction to Eukaryotes in Microbiology

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts discussed in the lecture about eukaryotes important to microbiology, focusing on fungi, protozoa, helminths, and algae.

Fungi

Chemoheterotrophs that obtain energy and carbon from organic matter.

Chitin

A polysaccharide that comprises the cell walls of fungi, providing rigidity.

Hyphae

Multicellular filaments that make up molds, which can be septate or coenocytic.

Mycelium

A filamentous mass of accumulated hyphae visible to the naked eye.

Dimorphism

The ability of certain fungi to exist in two forms, as yeast or molds.

Vegetative Hyphae

Hyphae that are embedded in the organic medium and extract nutrients.

Aerial Hyphae

Hyphae that protrude above the medium, primarily used for spore formation.

Sporulation

A form of fungal reproduction involving the production of spores.

Heterokaryon

A cell containing two different nuclei from two different mycelia.

Plasmogamy

The fusion of cytoplasm from two different fungal cells.

Karyogamy

The fusion of two nuclei to form a diploid zygote in fungi.

Budding

A form of asexual reproduction in yeasts where a daughter cell grows from a parent cell.

Mutualism

A type of symbiotic relationship where both organisms benefit.

Commensalism

A type of symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits and the other is unaffected.

Parasitism

A type of symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits at the expense of the other.

Definitive Host

The host in which a parasite reaches maturity and reproduces sexually.

Intermediate Host

A host that a parasite infects during its developmental phase.

Cyst

A dormant, resistant stage of a protozoan or helminth that survives harsh conditions.

Amoebic Dysentery

An inflammatory intestinal disease caused by the protozoan Entamoeba histolytica.

Cilia

Hair-like structures on the surface of paramecia that aid in movement and feeding.

Giardia intestinalis

The most common human intestinal protozoan parasite in the U.S., known for causing gastrointestinal illness.

Trypanosoma

A blood parasite responsible for diseases like African sleeping sickness and Chagas disease.

Dioecious

Organisms that have male and female reproductive organs in separate individuals.

Monoecious

Organisms that have both male and female reproductive organs in the same individual.

Flatworms

A type of helminth that includes tapeworms and flukes.

Roundworms

The most abundant type of helminths, including nematodes that can be either free-living or parasitic.

Photoautotrophs

Organisms that obtain energy from light and convert carbon dioxide into organic substances.

Chloroplast

The organelle in algae that is responsible for photosynthesis, derived from cyanobacteria.

Lichen

A mutualistic association between fungi and algae or cyanobacteria, often referred to as a superorganism.

Carrageenan

A thickening agent derived from algae, commonly used in food products like yogurt.

Diatoms

Silica-based algae with unique cell walls, important for ecological balance and various uses in products.