Microbiology and Chemistry of Life - Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key microbiology and basic chemistry concepts from the notes.

Microbiology

The study of microscopic living organisms (microorganisms).

Microorganisms

Living organisms that are microscopic; examples include bacteria, archaea, fungi, protozoa, algae, and viruses.

Unicellular

Consisting of a single cell.

Multicellular

Consisting of more than one cell.

Acellular

Lacking cells; not composed of cellular life.

Bacteria

A domain of prokaryotic, single-celled organisms that lack a membrane-bound nucleus.

Archaea

A domain of prokaryotic organisms distinct from bacteria, often extremophiles.

Fungi

Eukaryotic organisms that can be unicellular or multicellular; contain chitin in their cell walls.

Protozoa

Eukaryotic, mostly unicellular microorganisms; typically motile.

Algae

Photosynthetic eukaryotic organisms that can be unicellular or multicellular.

Viruses

Particles made of proteins and genetic material (DNA or RNA) that require a host to replicate and can be pathogenic.

Fermentation

The conversion of sugars into alcohol, gases, and organic acids by microorganisms.

Microbiome

The community of microbes associated with a particular environment, such as human tissue.

Commensal relationship

A host–microbe interaction in which the microbe benefits and the host is unharmed.

Peptidoglycan

A bacterial cell wall component that helps determine shape and rigidity.

Prokaryotes

Organisms whose cells lack a membrane-bound nucleus; includes Bacteria and Archaea.

Eukaryotes

Organisms whose cells contain a membrane-bound nucleus; includes fungi, protists, plants, and animals.

Chitin

A structural polysaccharide in fungal cell walls (and in some exoskeletons).

Glycoproteins

Proteins with carbohydrate groups attached; components of fungal cell walls and membranes.

Cellulose

A polysaccharide that makes up plant cell walls.

Photosynthetic

Capable of converting light energy into chemical energy, typical of plants and many algae.

Flagellar movement

Movement propelled by flagella, whip-like appendages.

Pseudopod movement

Movement by cytoplasmic extensions called pseudopods.

No cell wall

Organisms that lack a cell wall (e.g., many animal cells; some protozoa).

Nucleus

Membrane-bound organelle in eukaryotic cells that contains DNA.

Prokaryotic genome

Genetic material not enclosed in a membrane-bound nucleus, often a single circular chromosome.

Binomial nomenclature

The two-part naming system for organisms: genus and species.

Taxonomy

The science of classification, description, identification, and naming of living organisms.

Molecular genetics

Using genetic sequences to study evolutionary relationships and revise phylogenetic analyses.

16S rRNA

Small subunit ribosomal RNA used as a molecular marker to study prokaryotic relationships.

Germ theory of disease

Pathogenic microorganisms cause infectious diseases.

Miasma theory

Historical idea that diseases arise from

Three domains

Archaea, Bacteria, and Eukarya—the three broad domains of life.

Hydrogen

An abundant element; hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen make up about 96% of living matter.

Carbon

A central element in organic chemistry; forms the backbone of organic molecules.

Nitrogen

An essential element in amino acids and nucleic acids.

Oxygen

A major element required for many biological molecules and processes.

Atom

The smallest unit of matter that retains the properties of an element, composed of protons, neutrons, and electrons.

Element

A substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical reactions; defined by unique atoms.

Matter

Substances that occupy space and have mass.

Orbitals

Three-dimensional regions where electrons are found; electron shells contain specific numbers of orbitals.

Valence electrons

Electrons in the outermost shell that determine bonding behavior.

Chemical bonds

Forces that hold atoms together in molecules, arising from sharing or transferring electrons.

Covalent bond

A chemical bond formed by sharing electron pairs between atoms; can be a single or double bond.

Ionic bond

A chemical bond formed by the transfer of electrons, creating oppositely charged ions.

Single bond

A covalent bond in which one pair of electrons is shared.

Double bond

A covalent bond in which two pairs of electrons are shared.

Molecule

Two or more atoms held together by chemical bonds.

Compound

A substance composed of two or more different elements.