27 Flashcards
Gram -
thin peptidoglycan layer and outer
membrane
structurally more complex
Gram +
thick peptidoglycan layer
stains violet
Three factors contribute genetic diversity:
- Rapid reproduction
- Mutation
- Genetic recombination
Extremophile
an organisms that grows in extreme conditions or habitats
what is peptidoglycan
most bacterial cell walls contain this.
a polymer composed of modified sugars cross linked by short polypeptides
is gram + or gram - more resistant to antibiotics?
gram negative is more resistant to antibiotics because the outer membrane impedes entry of drugs
capsule
cell wall of many prokaryotes is surrounded by a sticky polysaccharide or protein layer, which is a capsule
nucleoid
prokaryotes lack a nucleus. their chromosomes are located in the nucleoid which is a region of cytoplasm that is not enclosed by a membrane
bacteriophages
viruses that infect bacteria
extremophiles
“lovers” of extreme conditions. includes extreme halophiles and thermophiles
first prokaryotes assigned to domain archaea live in extreme environments
extreme halophiles
live in highly saline environments such as the the great salt lake
extreme thermophiles
thrive in very hot environments such as hot water in Yellowstone
decomposers
break down dead organisms
symbiosis
an ecological relationship in which two species live in close contact with each other
parasite
eats cells contents, tissues, or body fluids of its host
pathogen
parasites that cause disease are pathogens, many of which are prokaryotic
key features of prokaryotic reproduction
reproduce via binary fission, short generation times, and can divide every 1 to 3 hours
transformation
a change in genotype and phenotype due to the assimilation of external DNA by a cell
genetic recombination
the recipient cell’s chromosome becomes a combo of DNA derived from 2 cells
conjugation
DNA is transferred between 2 prokaryotic cells that are temporarily joined
nitrogen metabolism
Prokaryotes can metabolize nitrogen in a wide variety of forms (including N2)
example: cyanobacteria
nitrogen fixation
convert atmospheric nitrogen to ammonia (NH3)
metabolic cooperation
metabolic cooperation between different prokaryotic species often occurs between surface coating colonies known as biofilms
obligate aerobes
must use O2 for cellular respiration and can’t grow without it
obligate anaerobes
are poisoned by O2
anaerobic respiration
substances other than O2 such as nitrate ions and sulfate ions accept electrons at the downhill end of electron transport chain