Archaea + Bacteria Flashcards
List 5 characteristics of archaea
- Unicellular
- Prokaryotic
- Extremophiles (live in extreme conditions)
- Chemotrophs
- Binary fission reproduction
Similarities of archaea to bacteria
S: prokaryotes, use flagella for movement, similar genetic material structures (nucleoid, plasmid), same reproduction method
Differences of archaea to bacteria
Cell wall/membrane composed of different substances, ribosomes more similar to eukaryotes than bacterias
Define a halophile
- Living in high-salinity environments
- Photosynthesize using special proteins that give water a purple colour
- Can remove salt from inside itself to avoid “drying out”
Define a methanogen
- Makes methane through reactions between CO2 and H2
- (Mostly) strict anaerobe
- Found in ocean pockets, making methane from other small molecules
- Found in human/cattle gut (make methane from extra H2 produced by bacterias breaking down food)
Define a thermophile
- Found in hot environments (thermal vents in ocean, hot springs)
- Useful in biotechnical inventions
- Cultured and manipulated to make thermostable proteins (won’t break down at high temps)
Are archaea pathogenic (disease-causing) to humans?
No
Which groups of eubacteria (“true” bacteria) photosynthesize in ways similar to plants?
Cyanobacteria, proteobacteria
Describe nucleoids
Non-organized, central genetic material
Describe pilli and their function
Hair on organisms, used to carry cell copies from one organism to the other by attaching on to one another
Describe plasmids and their functions
Small loops of genetic materials containing few genes, copy themselves to create new organism cells. Contain useful genes helping them survive and remain in bacterial populations.
Describe peptidoglycan and its function
Bacteria layer forming the cell wall, covers cell membrane providing protection from any harmful outside sources
Describe the capsule and its function
Means to hold everything inside the cell together, protects against dehydration, high temps, antibiotics, and viruses (only found in some bacteria)
Describe the endospore and its function
Interior structure protecting genetic material from damage
Organic vs inorganic chemicals
Ochem: carbon containing chemicals
Inorg: non-carbon containing
Obligate vs facultative aerobes
Obligate: needing O2 for surivival
Facultative: Not always needing
Conjugation vs transformation
Conj: sexual reproduction
Transf: bacterial cell using DNA to live
How did horizontal gene transfer render E Coli dangerous?
A “bad” plasmid was absorbed, mutating the bacteria in a negative way