Review of Prokaryotes and Ecology Lecture

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts from the lecture on prokaryotes, ecology, and related biological theories.

Endosymbiosis

The theory that mitochondria and plastids originated from free-living prokaryotes that were engulfed by ancestral eukaryotic cells.

Biofilms

Multi-species prokaryote aggregations that form on surfaces, exhibiting a fused capsule/slime layer, like plaque on teeth.

Endospores

A thick-coated, dormant structure formed by some bacteria that allows them to survive extreme conditions.

Chemoautotrophs

Organisms that obtain energy from inorganic compounds and thrive in environments like hydrothermal vents, often being obligate anaerobes.

Photoautotrophs

Organisms that use sunlight as an energy source to produce their own organic food, initially using hydrogen sulfide as an electron source.

Heterotrophic bacteria

Bacteria that consume organic matter, primarily functioning as decomposers and nutrient recyclers.

Proteobacteria

A diverse group of bacteria that includes key symbiotic nitrogen fixers, sulfur bacteria, and numerous pathogenic species.

Gram Positive Bacteria

Bacteria characterized by a thick peptidoglycan layer in their cell walls, important for soil health and disease.

Cyanobacteria

Photosynthetic bacteria that produce oxygen and are thought to have significantly transformed the planet's atmosphere.

Homologous Traits

Traits that are similar due to shared ancestry, aiding in the classification of organisms.

Homoplasious Traits

Traits that are similar due to convergent evolution rather than shared ancestry, often misleading in phylogenetic analyses.