Bacteria and Archaea Flashcards
Metagenomics
The random sequencing of DNA from a specific environment
Peptidoglycan
Composed of sugars and short polypeptides that make up the cell wall of bacteria.
Gram stain
Used to classify bacteria into two groups: gram-positive and gram-negative
Capsule
A sticky layer of polysaccharides or proteins that allow prokaryotes adhere to substrates or other individuals in a colony
Endospore
A part of bacterial cells forms when the cell duplicates a copy of its chromosome and surrounds it with a tough multilayer. The original cell then lyses and releases the endospore.
Taxis
A directed movement towards or away a stimuli
Secretory system
A protein complex that enables a cell to create certain macromolecules
Exaptation
The process whereby existing structures take on new function due to descent with modifications
Nucleoid
A region of cytoplasm not enclosed in a membrane. Used to enclose the chromosomes in prokaryotes.
Plasmids
Small rings of independently replicating DNA molecules
Binary fission
A mode of reproduction whereby the prokaryote splits into 2 cells and so on.
Rapid Evolution
where individuals that are better genetically and equipped with their environment tend to reproduce and survive at a higher rate than others.
Horizontal gene transfer
The transfer of genes between two different species of an organism
Vertical gene transfer
The transfer of genes between parent and offspring.
Transformation
When the genotype or phenotype of a prokaryote changes as a result of the uptake of foreign DNA from the environment.
