Lecture Notes: Prions, Scientific Names, and The Molecules of Life (Pages 1-2)

Flashcards cover Prions, binomial nomenclature (genus, species, formatting), informal naming conventions, and basic atomic theory (elements, CHNOPS, atoms, subatomic particles, nucleus, and matter) as presented in the notes.

Prion

A protein particle resistant to usual sterilization procedures.

Binomial nomenclature

A two-part Latin name for organisms, consisting of genus and species.

Genus

First part of a binomial name; typically capitalized.

Species

Second part of a binomial name; capitalized in these notes.

Underlined binomial name

Both parts of the binomial name are underlined when written; not italicized.

Escherichia coli

A binomial example of a bacterial species (genus Escherichia; species coli).

E. coli

Abbreviation for Escherichia coli; genus shortened to the first letter plus the species name.

Strain designation

A label such as E. coli K12 used to indicate minor but important differences within a species.

Staphylococcus

Genus whose members are often called staphylococci.

staphylococci

Plural informal name for members of Staphylococcus.

Informal names not italicized

Informal names resembling genus names are not italicized.

Elements

Pure substances with unique chemical properties that cannot be broken down by chemical means.

92 naturally occurring elements

There are 92 elements found naturally on Earth.

CHNOPS

The six elements that primarily make up living things: Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Oxygen, Phosphorus, and Sulfur.

Atom

The basic unit of matter; each element is made of only one type of atom.

Subatomic particles

Protons, neutrons, and electrons—the particles that compose atoms.

Proton

Positively charged subatomic particle located in the nucleus.

Neutron

Electrically neutral subatomic particle located in the nucleus.

Electron

Negatively charged subatomic particle that orbits the nucleus.

Nucleus

The central region of an atom that contains protons and neutrons.

Electron orbit / electron cloud

Region around the nucleus where electrons are found.

Matter

Anything that has mass and takes up space.