Biodiversity

Capsid

a protein coat surrounding the nucleic material of a virus

acellular

non - cellular

obligate parasite

a parasitic organism that cannot complete its life cycle without exploiting a suitable host, otherwise it will fail to reproduce

Host

An organism that harbours a parasite

pathogen

an organism that causes disease

Bacteriophage

A type of virus that infects bacteria

prokaryote

an organism where the nuclear material are not enclosed in a membrane

nucleoid

an irregularly shaped region within the cell of a prokaryote that contains all or most of the genetic material

Eukaryote

an organism that has a membrane bound nucleus containing genetic material

Flagellum

a whipe-like, protruding filament that helps cells or micro-organisms move

Saprophyte

plant or fungal organisms that feed on dead decaying tissue / matter of other organisms

plasmid

a small, circular, double - stranded DNA molecule that is distinct from a cell’s chromosomal DNA

chitin

a fibrous substance made of polysaccharides

hyphae

a network of multi-celled threadlike filaments

mycelium

a vegetative mass or network of fungal hyphae found in and on soil or on organic substrates

multinucleate

organism that has more that one nucleus per cell

rhizoids

threadlike structures that anchor lower plants and fungi to a surface

budding

a form of asexual reproduction which involves the pinching off of an offspring from the parent cell

spore

a reproductive cell capable of developing into a new individual without fusion with another reproductive cell

Alternation of generations

refers to plants alternation between plants two different life stages, a haploid stage and a diploid stage

Capsule

structure used to produce spores

seta

stem mass of a plant

Antheridium

the male reproductive organ in non flowering plants that stores and produces sperm

Archegonium

female reproductive organ of a plant, namely ferns and mosses

Sporophyte phase

spore producing phase of a plant

Gametophyte phase

phase in plants / fungi where gametes (sperm and eggs) are produced in specialised structures

Haploid generation

refers to presence of only a single set of chromosomes in an organism’s cells

Diploid generation

a cell or organism with two complete sets of chromosomes

Symbiotic relationship

association between two organisms

Mutualism

both orgsanisms benefit

Commenalism

one gain benefit while the other gains no benefit, but also no harm

Parasitism

one benefits and the other becomes harmed

Conjugation

process of partial DNA transfer from one cell to another

Dominant generation

generation that is most visible and dominant