Microorganisms

Biodiversity

The variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat or ecosystem.

Eukaryotic

Organisms whose cells contain a nucleus.

Prokaryotic

Organisms whose cells do not contain a nucleus.

Monera

A kingdom of prokaryotic organisms, typically unicellular.

Fungi

Eukaryotic organisms that are non-photosynthetic, and primarily decompose organic matter.

Protists

Eukaryotic organisms that are primarily unicellular and exhibit traits of both plants and animals.

Pathogenic

Microorganisms that cause disease.

Autotrophic

Organisms that produce their own food through photosynthesis.

Heterotrophic

Organisms that cannot produce their own food and depend on other sources for nutrition.

Sporangiophore

Aerial hyphae that grow upright and form sporangiums containing spores for reproduction.

Capsid

The protein shell of a virus, composed of protein subunits called capsomeres.

Rhizobium

Type of nitrogen-fixing bacteria that live in the root nodules of legumes.

Mycorrhiza

Symbiotic association between fungi and roots of plants, aiding nutrient absorption.

Nitrogen cycle

The biological cycle through which nitrogen is converted into various chemical forms.

Candidiasis

A fungal infection caused by Candida species, commonly affecting the mucous membranes.

Malaria

A disease caused by Plasmodium parasites, transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes.

Infectious disease

A disease caused by microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites.

Antiretroviral drugs (ARVs)

Medications used to manage HIV infection by reducing the viral load.

Prophylactic medication

Drugs taken to prevent disease before exposure.

Decomposers

Organisms that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients in the ecosystem.

Assimilation

The process by which plants and microorganisms absorb nutrients.