bacteria & viruses Flashcards
Conjugation
process in which two bacteria of the same species attach to each other and share genetic material
Endospore
Form of bacterium that has a thick internal wall around it’s chromosome and part of the cytoplasm
Fission
Cell division that performs two genetically identical cells
Flagellum
Long whiplike structure that helps bacteria move
Antibiotic
Medicine that helps stop the growth and reproduction of bacteria
Bioremediation
Use of organisms to clean up environmental pollution
Decomposition
Breakdown of dead organisms and organic waste
Nitrogen fixation
Conversion of atmospheric nitrogen into nitrogen compounds that living things can use
Pasteurization
Process of heating food to a temperature that kills most harmful bacteria
Pathogen
Agent that causes disease
Resistance
Capacity of an organism to defend itself against disease
Antibody
Protein that can attach to a pathogen and make it useless
Immunity
Ability of an organism to resist a virus or infection
Mutation
Change in DNA or RNA
Vaccine
Mixture containing material from one or more deactivated pathogens