Bacteria Flashcards
What are the 4 main attributes of bacteria?
-Prokaryotes
-unicellular
-can be aerobic or anaerobic
-Two Kingdoms:
Archaebacteria and Bacteria
A dye that causes the cell wall of a bacterium to turn a certain color is known as ________ _________.
Gram staining
gram positive is what color?
purple
gram negative is what color?
pink
Why is gram staining useful?
helps you determine what antibiotic to use
Describe the structure of gram positive bacteria
contain peptidoglycans that offer protection an anchorage
Describe peptidoglycans
a layer of sugar polymers with polypeptides woven through them
Gram positive bacteria may release _______.
exotoxins
Describe the structure of gram negative bacteria
contain a layer of lipopolysaccharides on top of a thin layer of peptidoglycans.
Describe lipopolysaccharides
carbs. protruding from a lipid based membrane
What chemical is used to stain gram positive bacteria?
crystal violet
What chemical is used to stain gram negative bacteria?
safranin
When gram negative bacteria die, they release ________.
endotoxins
How do antibiotics work?
break down peptidoglycans so they are affective against gram positive bacteria
Gram negative bacteria are extremely harmful because why?
their LPS layer is toxic which causes fever and shock
How are gram negative bacteria dealt with?
Strong antibiotics and alternative medicines are needed to kill them.
How to bacteria stick to their hosts?
Capsules and/or Fimbriae
Describe capsules
sticky outside layer of polysaccharide or protein used to help the bacteria stick to a host or other colony members.
Describe fimbriae
hair like protrusions used to attach itself to a host
Some bacteria move by using a _______.
flagellum
Bacteria will move toward or away from a stimuli, like nutrient. This is known as ____.
taxis
Bacteria shape provided by the ____ ____.
cell wall
What are 3 shapes of bacteria?
rod, sphere, spiral
What is the rod shape called?
bacilli
What is the sphere shape called?
cocci
What is the spiral shape called?
spirilla
What are the 3 growth arrangements?
paired colonies, chains, clumps
Paired colonies are called?
diplo
Chains are called?
strepto
Clumps are called?
staphylo
Describe binary fission
the DNA replicates and the cell divides in half
What is conjugation
protein bridge is formed between 2 bacteria, a plasmid is donated
Describe transformation
A plasmid from a dead bacteria cell is taken up by another. Can change the geno- or phenotype.
Describe transduction
A bacteriaphage may accidentally transfer bacteria DNA from one bacteria to another.
Describe endospores
a tough covering containing bacteria DNA
Endospores are produced where?
unfavorable environments
What must be used to sterilize surfaces containing endospores?
extreme heat and acidic cleaners
What do bacteria do while endospores are produced
they will lie dormant until conditions are right
Endospores cause what?
botulism in unsterilized canned foods, or tetanus in wounds
Define archaebacteria
Bacteria that live in extreme environments called extremophiles
Describe thermophiles
lives in hot springs and thermal vents in the ocean (100ºC)
Describe methanogens
- Live in marshes and cow stomachs
- Used in sewage treatment plants
- Breakdown CO2 and H2
Describe halophiles
Live in the dead sea and salt lakes, pump in potassium to achieve isotonic status
In the Bacteria kingdom, these bacteria are the most common and are often parasitic. What are they classified under?
heterotrophic
In the Bacteria kingdom, these bacteria do photosynthesis to make energy and contain chlorophyll. What are they classified under?
photosynthetic autotrophs
Where are photosynthetic autotrophs found?
in water (rivers, lakes, swamps, etc)
In the Bacteria kingdom, these bacteria use inorganic compounds to make energy. What are they classified under?
chemosynthetic autotrophs
Chemosynthetic autotrophs are also called _______ _______ bacteria.
nitrogen fixing
Give 4 benefits of bacteria
- fix nitrogen
- help digest food in our intestines
- decomposers
- used to make food (cheese, yogurt)
Give 2 cons of bacteria
- Cause Diseases
- Over use of antibiotics has created more resistant bacteria