BIO2104 Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and definitions from BIO2104.

Domain Bacteria

Single-celled organisms without a nucleus, ubiquitous in nature.

E. coli

A species of bacteria found in the intestines; some strains are pathogenic.

Domain Archaea

Single-celled organisms with unique cell structures that thrive in extreme environments.

Extreme thermophiles

Organisms living in very hot environments such as hydrothermal vents.

Methanogens

Archaea that produce methane gas as a metabolic byproduct.

Domain Eukarya

Organisms with complex cells that have nuclei, including plants, animals, and fungi.

Kingdom Eubacteria

Another name for the bacterial domain, characterized by single-celled prokaryotes.

Prokaryote

An organism without a nucleus; includes bacteria and archaea.

Protista

A diverse kingdom of mostly single-celled eukaryotes.

Fungi

Eukaryotic organisms that absorb nutrients from decomposing matter.

Kingdom Plantae

Multicellular organisms that conduct photosynthesis and have cellulose cell walls.

Kingdom Animalia

Multicellular organisms that consume other organisms for food.

16S rRNA sequencing

A method used to differentiate prokaryotes, especially bacteria and archaea.

Capsid

The protein coat that protects the genetic material of a virus.

Host specificity

The tendency of a virus to infect only certain organisms.

Cilia

Hair-like structures that help some single-celled organisms move.

Cholera toxin

An A-B toxin that causes secretion of water and electrolytes in the intestinal tract.

Tetanus toxin

An AB type exotoxin causing severe muscle spasms and stiffness.

Diphtheria toxin

An AB toxin that inhibits protein synthesis and causes cell death.

Endotoxin

A component of the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria, causing inflammatory responses.

Elementary Bodies (EBs)

The infectious form of Chlamydia that enters host cells.

Reticulate Bodies (RBs)

The replicative form of Chlamydia that multiplies inside host cells.

Gram-negative

Bacteria that do not retain the crystal violet stain used in the Gram staining method.

Gram-positive

Bacteria that retain the crystal violet stain due to their thick peptidoglycan layer.

Antitoxin

A treatment used to neutralize toxins, such as in diphtheria.

Granulomas

Inflammatory masses formed in response to infection, such as in tuberculosis.

Bubonic plague

A severe infectious disease caused by Yersinia pestis, characterized by swollen lymph nodes.

Incubation period

The time from exposure to the onset of symptoms.

Pathogeneis

The biological mechanism that leads to disease.

Transmission route

The way a pathogen is spread from one host to another.

Chancres

Painless sores indicative of syphilis caused by Treponema pallidum.

Convalescent stage

The recovery phase after the peak of an infection.