Cheat Sheet 10: Taxonomy and Microbial Classification

Biological Diversity

Variety of life forms in ecosystems.

Taxonomy

Science of classifying living organisms.

Obligate Aerobes

Require oxygen to survive.

Microbiome

Collection of microorganisms in/on our bodies.

Infections

Diseases caused by harmful bacteria.

Obligate Anaerobes

Cannot survive in oxygen presence.

Facultative Anaerobe

Grows with or without oxygen.

Gram Positive Bacteria

Stain purple; thick peptidoglycan layer.

Gram Negative Bacteria

Stain pink; thin peptidoglycan layer.

Endotoxins

Toxins produced by gram-negative bacteria.

Teichoic Acids

Increase flexibility of gram-positive cell walls.

Endospores

Durable structures for extreme conditions.

Prokaryotic Cells

Single-celled organisms without a nucleus.

Eukaryotic Cells

Organisms with a defined nucleus.

Heterotrophs

Consume organic substances for energy.

Autotrophs

Produce organic substances from inorganic sources.

Chemoheterotrophs

Use organic compounds for energy and carbon.

Chemoautotrophs

Use inorganic chemicals for energy and carbon.

Photoheterotrophs

Use light for energy, organic materials for carbon.

Photoautotrophs

Use light for energy, CO2 for carbon.

Cyanobacteria

Early autotrophic cells capable of photosynthesis.

Ribosomes

Cell structures for protein synthesis.

Plasmids

Extrachromosomal DNA in prokaryotes.

Cell Wall Composition

Varies by organism: cellulose, chitin, peptidoglycan.

Decomposers

Organisms that break down dead material.

Histones

Proteins that package DNA in eukaryotes.

Introns

Non-coding sequences in eukaryotic genes.

Genome Structure

Prokaryotes have circular DNA; eukaryotes have linear.

Transcription Location

Eukaryotes: nucleus; prokaryotes: cytoplasm.

Translation Location

Occurs in cytoplasm for all cell types.

Mnemonic for Taxonomy

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