Characterizing and Classifying Prokaryotes

Prokaryotes

Most numerous cellular microbes, diverse habitats.

Endospores

Defensive structures formed by Gram-positive bacteria.

Bacillus

Genus of bacteria that produces endospores.

Clostridium

Another genus known for endospore production.

Vegetative cell

Active form of bacteria before endospore formation.

Binary fission

Most common asexual reproduction method in prokaryotes.

Snapping division

Variation of binary fission in some bacteria.

Reproductive spores

Asexual reproductive structures in certain prokaryotes.

Budding

Asexual reproduction where new cells form from parent.

Viviparity

Live offspring emerge from the dead mother cell.

Epulopiscium

Prokaryote exhibiting viviparous reproduction.

Cocci

Spherical-shaped prokaryotic cells.

Bacilli

Rod-shaped prokaryotic cells.

Diplococci

Cocci arranged in pairs.

Streptococci

Cocci arranged in chains.

Tetrads

Cocci arranged in groups of four.

Sarcinae

Cocci arranged in cube-like structures.

Staphylococci

Cocci arranged in clusters.

Single bacillus

Single rod-shaped prokaryotic cell.

Diplobacilli

Bacilli arranged in pairs.

Streptobacilli

Bacilli arranged in chains.

Palisade

Bacilli arranged side by side.

V-shape

Bacilli arranged in a V formation.

rRNA sequences

Genetic material used for modern prokaryotic classification.

Three domains

Archaea, Bacteria, and Eukarya classification.

Bergey's Manual

Reference for prokaryotic classification schemes.

Thermophilic bacteria

Bacteria thriving in high-temperature environments.

Deeply branching bacteria

Organisms resembling earliest forms of bacteria.

Euryarchaeota

A phylum of Archaea including methanogens.

Chloroflexi

Green nonsulfur bacteria involved in photosynthesis.

Methanogens

Archaea converting CO2 and H2 into methane.

Aquificae

Phylum of bacteria known for thermophilic traits.

Nitrifying bacteria

Bacteria converting ammonia to nitrate.

Cyanobacteria

Photosynthetic bacteria producing oxygen.

Halophiles

Organisms thriving in high-salinity environments.

Gram-negative bacteria

Bacteria with thin peptidoglycan layer and outer membrane.

Myxobacteria

Soil bacteria known for complex social behavior.

Purple nonsulfur bacteria

Bacteria using light for energy without producing oxygen.

Proteobacteria

Diverse group of Gram-negative bacteria.

Campylobacteria

Phylum of bacteria including pathogenic species.

Nitrogen fixing bacteria

Bacteria converting atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms.

Crenarchaeota

Phylum of Archaea often found in extreme environments.

Rickettsias

Intracellular bacteria causing various diseases.

Fusobacteria

Bacteria associated with human infections.

Gammaproteobacteria

Class of Proteobacteria including many pathogens.

Chlorobi

Green sulfur bacteria involved in photosynthesis.

Streptomyces

Bacteria known for antibiotic production.

Atopobium

Genus of bacteria found in human microbiota.

Bacteroidetes

Phylum of bacteria prevalent in human gut.

Neisserias

Genus of bacteria including pathogens like gonorrhea.

Arthrobacter

Genus of bacteria known for soil degradation.

Planctomycetes

Bacteria with unique cell structure and reproduction.

Corynebacterium

Genus of bacteria including pathogens like diphtheria.

Mycobacterium

Genus of bacteria including tuberculosis pathogens.

Nocardia

Bacteria causing opportunistic infections.

Fibrobacteres

Bacteria involved in fiber degradation.

Firmicutes

Phylum of low G+C Gram-positive bacteria.

Clostridia

Genus of bacteria known for anaerobic fermentation.

Mycoplasmas

Bacteria lacking cell walls, smallest known.

Bacilli

Rod-shaped bacteria, can be pathogenic.

Lactobacilli

Bacteria used in fermentation and probiotics.

Cocci

Spherical-shaped bacteria, can form clusters.

Spirochaetes

Bacteria with spiral shape, some are pathogens.

Chlamydiae

Intracellular bacteria causing various infections.

Actinobacteria

High G+C Gram-positive bacteria, often filamentous.

Extremophiles

Organisms requiring extreme conditions for survival.

Hyperthermophiles

Require temperatures above 80ºC for growth.

Halobacterium salinarium

Most studied halophile, uses bacteriorhodopsins.

Photoheterotroph

Organisms using light for energy, organic compounds for carbon.

Recombinant DNA technologies

Techniques using DNA from different organisms.

Proton gradient

Difference in proton concentration across membranes.

Deeply Branching Bacteria

Bacteria with ancient evolutionary lineages.

Phototrophic Bacteria

Bacteria that perform photosynthesis.

Photosynthetic Lamellae

Membranes containing photosynthetic pigments.

Autotrophic

Organisms that produce their own food.

Blue-Green Bacteria

Also known as cyanobacteria, photosynthetic bacteria.

Green Sulfur Bacteria

Bacteria using sulfur compounds for photosynthesis.

Green Nonsulfur Bacteria

Bacteria that do not require sulfur for photosynthesis.

Purple Sulfur Bacteria

Bacteria that utilize sulfur for photosynthesis.

Purple Nonsulfur Bacteria

Bacteria that do not depend on sulfur for photosynthesis.

Low G + C Gram-Positive Bacteria

Bacteria with less than 50% G + C content.

Firmicutes

Phylum containing low G + C Gram-positive bacteria.

Clostridia

Rod-shaped, obligate anaerobes producing toxins.

Endospores

Resistant structures formed by some bacteria.

Mycoplasmas

Bacteria lacking cell walls, smallest free-living cells.

Fried Egg Appearance

Distinctive colony shape of Mycoplasma.

Bacillus

Endospore-forming bacteria, common in soil.

Bacillus thuringiensis

Insecticide-producing bacterium used in agriculture.

Bacillus anthracis

Pathogen causing anthrax in humans and animals.

Listeria

Bacteria contaminating food, can harm fetuses.

Lactobacillus

Bacteria beneficial for food production and health.

Streptococcus

Bacteria causing various diseases, some resistant.

Enterococcus

Bacteria related to streptococci, often resistant.

Staphylococcus

Common human inhabitant, produces disease-related toxins.

Corynebacterium

Pleomorphic bacteria producing metachromatic granules.

Mycobacterium

Aerobic rods with slow growth due to mycolic acid.

Metachromatic Granules

Storage granules in certain bacteria.

Obligate Anaerobes

Bacteria that cannot survive in oxygen.

Facultative Anaerobes

Bacteria that can grow with or without oxygen.

High G + C Gram-Positive Bacteria

Bacteria with high guanine and cytosine content.