Microbiology and Cell Biology Practice Flashcards

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards detailing the differences between animal and plant cells and the five main groups of microorganisms: Bacteria, Fungi, Protozoa, Algae, and Viruses.

Microorganisms

Very small living and usually single-celled organisms around us which cannot be seen with naked eyes.

Kingdom Monera

The biological kingdom that includes bacteria, which are considered to be the first living organisms that evolved on Earth.

Bacilli (singular: bacillus)

Bacteria that are characterized by a long rod shape.

Cocci (singular: coccus)

Bacteria that are spherical or round in shape.

Spirilla (singular: spirillum)

Bacteria that have a spiral-shaped structure.

Vibrio

Bacteria that are comma-shaped.

Capsule

A gelatin-like envelope that encloses the cell of a bacterium.

Flagella

Thread-like structures found on bacteria that help in movement.

Fungi

Plant-like microorganisms that lack chlorophyll; they can be unicellular (like yeast) or multicellular.

Mycology

The scientific study of fungi.

Hyphae

The thread-like structures that make up multicellular fungi; they can be non-septate (containing more than one nucleus) or septate (single nucleus in separate cells).

Mycelium

The tangled, web-like structure formed by vast numbers of intertwining hyphae.

Fruiting body

The umbrella-shaped structure of a mushroom that arises from an underground mycelium.

Gills

Slit-like structures located under the umbrella of a mushroom that contain spores.

Protozoa

Unicellular organisms showing animal-like characteristics, thought to be the first evolved among those with well-developed nuclei.

Algae

Simple plant-like organisms containing chlorophyll and a cell wall, often referred to as 'grass of water'.

Seaweeds

Large algae that grow in oceans, including varieties like kelp.

Lichen

A symbiotic relationship formed between algae and fungi.

Thallus

The undifferentiated body structure typical of unicellular algae.

Spirogyra

An example of a multicellular filamentous algae.

Volvox

An example of algae that live in colonies.

Cell Wall (Plant Cell)

A rigid structure present in plant cells that is absent in animal cells.

Plastids

Organelles present in plant cells (e.g., chloroplasts) but absent in animal cells.

Lysosome

An organelle present in animal cells but either absent or rare in plant cells.

Centrosome

An organelle containing centrioles present in animal cells but absent in plant cells.

Vacuoles (Animal Cell)

Structures that are either absent in animal cells, or if present, are more in number and smaller in size compared to those in plant cells.