Effects of Ultraviolet Radiation (UVR) on Bacterial Growth & Repair Strategies

These flashcards cover key vocabulary related to the effects of ultraviolet radiation on bacterial growth and repair strategies.

Ultraviolet Radiation (UVR)

A type of electromagnetic radiation that can cause damage to DNA in living organisms.

E. coli

A strain of bacteria commonly used in microbiology that is Gram-negative and can be affected by UVR exposure.

B. subtilis

A strain of bacteria that is Gram-positive and can be studied for its response to UVR.

Gram-positive bacteria

Bacteria with a thick cell wall that retains the crystal violet stain used in the Gram staining procedure.

Gram-negative bacteria

Bacteria that have a thinner cell wall and do not retain the crystal violet stain used in the Gram staining procedure.

Photorepair (photoreactivation)

A DNA repair mechanism in some bacteria that is activated by exposure to visible light after UVR damage.

Dark repair

A DNA repair mechanism in some bacteria that does not require light and can function in both light and dark conditions.

Control side

The part of the agar plate that is protected from UVR exposure, helping to compare the effects of UVR on bacterial growth.

Opaque plastic cover

A cover used on agar plates to prevent UVR from reaching certain areas of the plate during experiments.

UV exposure time

The amount of time bacteria are exposed to UVR, which influences the degree of damage and repair capability.