BIO: Bacteria & Archaea

Endospore

Tough, resistant reproductive structure formed in certain bacteria in response to poor enviromental conditions.

Endotoxin

Released when a cell dies, induces inflammation and fever as a immune response can sometimes lead to anaphylatic shock

Exotoxin

Released from a living cell. often causes inflammation and fever asa immune response

Bioflim

Complex community of bacteria enmeshed in a polysaccharide rich extracellular matrix that allows bacteria to stick to a surface

Toxin

Poison produced by a living organism such as a plant, animal, or microorganism

Bioremediation

The use of living organisms (usually bacteria or archaea) to degrade environmental pollutants

Methanogen

Microscopic single celled organism in the domain Archaea that produces methane (CH4) as a metabolic byproduct

Menthanotroph

Specalized bacteria and archaea that use methane as their sole source of carbon and energy

Recombinant DNA

Artificially crafted DNA molecule formed by joining DNA segments from two different species or sources

Horizontal Gene Transfer

Genes are exchanged between cells of the same generation. Allows bacteria to achieve genetic diversity. Quicker than mutations

Vertical Gene Transfer

Parents pass genes to their offspring (Binary Fission) whole genome is transferred

Antibiotics

Any substance that can kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria. Medications that kill or slow bacterial growth can be revived via injection or orally. Attacks structures found in bacteria. Can interfere with DNA replication

Narrow Spectrum

Type of antibiotic that only works against either gram negative or gram positive bacteria.

Pathogens

Any organism capable of causing disease such as a microbe, virus, or prion

Virulence

The ability of a pathogen to cause severe diseases in a suspectinle host