Microorganisms: Viruses, Bacteria, Protista, and Bacteria

Monera

Biological kingdom that contains single-celled organisms called prokaryotes. (eg. Bacteria)

Protista

Biological kingdom that comprises mostly single-celled organisms such as the protozoa and simple algae.

Plantae

Biological kingdom that contains all living and extinct plants.

Fungi

Biological kingdom containing any of a group of spore-producing organisms feeding on organic matter, including moulds, yeast, mushrooms, and toadstools.

Animalia

Biological kingdom of living things that comprises either all the animals or all the multicellular animals.

Prokaryote

A microscopic single-celled organism which has neither a distinct nucleus with a membrane nor other specialized organelles, including the bacteria and cyanobacteria.

Eukaryote

An organism consisting of a cell or cells in which the genetic material is DNA in the form of chromosomes contained within a distinct nucleus.

Pathogenic

Disease-causing

Non-pathogenic

Non disease-causing

Homeostasis

The maintaining of the constant internal environment of the body so that cells can function properly.

Viruses

Latin meaning “poison. Can infect animals, plants, and bacteria. Difficult to classify as they are not in any of the major kingdoms.

Capsid

Protein coat

Envelope

Lipid bilayer

Obligate intracellular parasites

Can only survive inside cells of living organisms.

Polyhedral

Cubical shape (eg. adrenovirus)

Helical

Spiral shape (eg. tobacco virus)

Complex

Tad-pole like (eg. bacteriophage)

Bacteria

Belong to the kingdom Monera and were the first organisms to ever evolve. Unicellular and can be seen under light microscopes.

Aerobic

Requires oxygen

Anaerobic

Doesn’t require oxygen

-cocci

Spherical shape (of bacteria)

-bacilli

Rod-like shape (of bacteria)

-spiralla

Spiral-like shape (of bacteria)

-vibro

Comma-shaped (of bacteria)

Strepto-

Chain formation (of bacteria)

Staphyl-

Clump formation (of bacteria)

Mutualism

Both parties benefit

Parasitism

Only one benefits; the other is harmed

Commensalism

Both are unharmed; only one benefits

HIV

Human Immunodeficiency Virus

AIDS

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

ARV

Anti-retroviral

Eukaryotic

Type of cell that has a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.

Prokaryotic

Type of cell lacking a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.

Protista

A group of simple organisms that don’t really fit into any other kingdom. Common characteristics: all are eukaryotic and live in moist environments as they have no protection against drying out. Two groups: Algae and Protozoans.

Algae

Plant-like Protista

Protozoans

Animal-like Protista

Autotroph

Organisms that can produce their own food through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis, using energy from sunlight or inorganic compounds.

Heterotroph

Organisms that cannot produce their own food. They obtain energy from other sources of organic carbon, mainly plant or animal matter.

Malaria

Caused by a unicellular protozoan called “Plasmodium falciparum.” Transmitted by the female Anopheles mosquito.

Vector

Carrier or transmitter of a virus, fungi, disease, etc.

Fungi

A kingdom of organisms classified as “decomposers of organic matter".” eg. yeast, rust, mould, mushrooms, etc.