Microbial Diversity: Acellular and Prokaryotic Microbes

These flashcards cover key vocabulary related to acellular and prokaryotic microbes, including definitions, classifications, and distinguishing features.

Microbes

Microorganisms that can be cellular (bacteria, archaea, algae, protozoa, fungi) or acellular (viruses, viroids, prions).

Acellular microbes

Microbes that are not made of cells, including viruses, viroids, and prions.

Virion

Complete virus particles.

Oncogenic viruses

Viruses that can cause specific types of cancer.

Genome

The complete set of genes or genetic material present in a cell or organism, can be DNA or RNA in viruses.

Capsid

A protein coat that surrounds the genome of a virus, composed of protein units called capsomeres.

Enveloped viruses

Viruses that have an outer lipid membrane surrounding their capsid.

Double-stranded DNA viruses

Viruses that contain double-stranded DNA as their genetic material.

Single-stranded RNA viruses

Viruses that possess single-stranded RNA as their genetic material.

Bacteriophages

Viruses that infect bacterial cells.

Lytic cycle

The cycle where virulent bacteriophages cause the destruction of the bacterial cell.

Attachment

The first step in the viral multiplication process, where the virus connects to the host cell.

Uncoating

The process by which a virus's capsid is removed, releasing the viral genome into the host cell.

Antiviral agents

Drugs used to treat viral infections, interfering with virus-specific enzymes and replication.

Herpes viral infections

Infections caused by herpes viruses, which can remain dormant in the host's body.

Viroids

Naked fragments of single-stranded RNA that can disrupt plant metabolism.

Prions

Infectious proteins that cause neurodegenerative diseases in animals and humans.

Gram-negative bacteria

Bacteria that have a thin peptidoglycan layer and an outer membrane, stain pink in Gram staining.

Gram-positive bacteria

Bacteria that have a thick peptidoglycan layer, stain purple in Gram staining.

Cocci

Round-shaped bacteria that can occur in various arrangements, like pairs or clusters.

Bacilli

Rod-shaped bacteria, which can exist in chains or filaments.

Motility

The ability of bacteria to move, often associated with flagella.

Fastidious bacteria

Bacteria with complex nutritional requirements.

Pathogenicity

The ability of an organism to cause disease.

Molecular diagnostics

Techniques used to analyze the genetic material of bacteria for identification.

Mycoplasmas

Bacteria that lack a cell wall, which makes them resistant to certain antibiotics.

Obligate aerobes

Bacteria that require oxygen for growth.

Facultative anaerobes

Bacteria that can grow with or without oxygen.

Oxygenic photosynthesis

Photosynthesis that produces oxygen, typically carried out by cyanobacteria.

Anoxygenic photosynthesis

Photosynthesis that does not produce oxygen, done by certain purple and green bacteria.

Archaea

A separate domain of prokaryotic organisms that differ from bacteria, often found in extreme environments.

Cell morphology

The study of the shape and structure of bacterial cells.

Colony morphology

The characteristics of a bacterial colony, including size, shape, and color.