Evolution and Diversity of Eukaryotic Microbes

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts from the lecture on the evolution and diversity of eukaryotic microbes.

Animalcules

The term used by Antonie van Leeuwenhoek to describe the microscopic organisms he first observed.

Photoautotrophs

Metabolic strategy used by algae; they use sunlight for energy and CO_2 for carbon.

Green Algae

A group of algae closely related to land plants that contain chlorophyll a and b.

Red/Brown Algae

A group of algae that contain different pigments for capturing light at various depths, often large and multicellular.

Chemoheterotrophs

Metabolic strategy of protozoans, meaning they obtain energy by consuming organic matter.

Free-living protozoans

Protozoans that live independently in water or soil, scavenging for food.

Parasitic protozoans

Protozoans that live on or inside a host organism, often causing harm or disease.

Flagellates

A group of protozoans that move using tail-like flagella.

Ciliates

A group of protozoans that move using hair-like cilia.

Eukarya

The domain to which fungi belong, characterized by eukaryotic cells.

Heterotrophs

Organisms that obtain their energy by consuming organic substances; fungi and animals are both heterotrophs.

Glycogen

A form of energy storage used by fungi and animals.

Chitin

A structural polysaccharide used by fungi in their cell walls and by animals in their exoskeletons.

Absorptive chemoheterotrophs

Metabolic strategy of fungi involving the absorption of nutrients through hyphae.

Hyphae

Thread-like filaments used by fungi to secrete enzymes and absorb nutrients.

Mycelium

The mass of hyphae found on decaying logs; it helps in nutrient absorption.

Fruiting body

The temporary, visible reproductive structure of fungi, like mushrooms, used to produce and disperse spores.

Gills vs. Pores

Gills are thin structures under the cap of fungi where spores are produced, while pores are small openings on the surface.

Spores

Reproductive units in fungi that allow for reproduction and dispersal.

Lichens

A symbiotic relationship between a fungus and algae (or cyanobacteria).

Mycorrhizae

A symbiotic relationship between a fungus and plant roots involving nutrient exchange.

Decomposers

Fungi act as primary decomposers in ecosystems, recycling nutrients from dead organic matter.

Uses of fungi

Humans use fungi for food (mushrooms, truffles), fermentation (yeast), and medicine (antibiotics like Penicillin).