Biology Final Exam: Microbiology, Protists, Fungi, Plants, Invertebrates & Vertebrates

What is microbiology?

The study of microbes, including bacteria, archaea, protists, fungi, viruses, and prions.

What does microbiota refer to?

Microorganisms living in/on the body, often beneficial.

What does LUCA stand for?

Last Universal Common Ancestor.

What was demonstrated by the Miller-Urey Experiment?

The abiotic formation of amino acids under early Earth conditions.

What are halophiles?

Microorganisms that thrive in high salt environments (12-15%).

What are methanogens?

Anaerobic organisms that produce methane, often found in animal intestines.

What are the three basic shapes of bacteria?

Bacillus (rod), coccus (sphere), spirillum (spiral).

What is binary fission?

Asexual reproduction method used by bacteria.

What is conjugation in bacteria?

The transfer of plasmids via a pilus.

What are heterotrophs?

Organisms that require organic molecules for nutrition.

Name a bacterial disease caused by Streptococcus pyogenes.

Strep throat, scarlet fever, or rheumatic fever.

What is the structure of a virus?

Composed of a capsid, sometimes an envelope, spikes, and a DNA or RNA genome.

What is antigenic drift?

Small mutations in viruses, often seen in seasonal flu.

What are prions?

Infectious misfolded proteins that cause degenerative brain diseases.

What are protists?

Eukaryotes not classified as plants, fungi, or animals; very diverse.

What are the major groups of fungi?

Ascomycetes (sac fungi) and Basidiomycetes (club fungi).

What is mycorrhizae?

Symbiotic association between fungi and plant roots for nutrient exchange.

What is alternation of generations in plants?

The lifecycle that alternates between gametophyte (n) and sporophyte (2n) stages.

What are gymnosperms?

Plants with naked seeds, such as conifers and ginkgo.

What distinguishes protostomes from deuterostomes?

In protostomes, the mouth forms first; in deuterostomes, the anus forms first.

What are the characteristics of chordates?

Notochord, dorsal nerve cord, pharyngeal pouches, and postanal tail.

What are monotremes?

Egg-laying mammals.

What adaptations do reptiles have for land?

Scales, lungs, and amniotic eggs.

What is unique about birds compared to other reptiles?

They are endothermic and have feathers.

What defines mammals?

Presence of hair and mammary glands, and they are endothermic.

What are the three major groups of mammals?

Monotremes, marsupials, and placental mammals.