6_Archaea_and_Bacteria_Jan_30

Domain Archaea

One of the primary domains of life; consists of prokaryotic organisms, many of which thrive in extreme environments.

Extremophiles

Organisms that can survive in extreme environmental conditions such as high salt, temperature, or acidity.

Phylum Thaumarchaeota

A phylum of Archaea involved in the nitrogen cycle, specifically known for nitrification.

Methanogens

Members of the Phylum Euryarchaeota that produce methane and play a key role in the carbon cycle.

Peptidoglycan

A polymer that forms a structural component of the bacterial cell wall.

Gram-positive bacteria

Bacteria with a thick peptidoglycan layer in their cell walls, which makes them vulnerable to penicillin.

Flagella

A long, whip-like structure used by some bacteria to swim and move through their environment.

Binary fission

The method by which prokaryotes (bacteria and archaea) reproduce, splitting one cell into two.

Cyanobacteria

Photosynthetic bacteria that are significant to some ecosystems, capable of producing oxygen during photosynthesis.

Nitrogen fixation

The process of converting atmospheric nitrogen (N2) into a more usable form like ammonium (NH4+), primarily performed by certain bacteria.

Chemoheterotroph

Organisms that obtain energy and carbon from organic molecules; includes most animals and many bacteria.

Photoautotroph

Organisms that use light as their energy source and convert carbon dioxide into organic compounds.

Aerotolerant anaerobes

Bacteria that do not use oxygen but can survive in its presence.

Mucilage

A slimy substance composed of polysaccharides and proteins that helps bacteria adhere to surfaces and protects them.

Heterocysts

Specialized nitrogen-fixing cells found in certain cyanobacteria that provide a low-oxygen environment for nitrogenase.

Symbiosis

A close association between two different organisms, which can be mutualistic, commensal, or parasitic.

Quorum sensing

The ability of bacteria to communicate and coordinate their behavior based on their population density.

Akinetes

A type of dormant cell in cyanobacteria that can survive unfavorable environmental conditions and later grow into new filaments.

Magnetosomes

Specialized structures in magnetotactic bacteria that contain magnetite crystals to help orient the bacteria to geomagnetic fields.

Gas vesicles

Gas-filled structures that provide buoyancy to certain bacteria, allowing them to float in water.