Biology Ch. 18 Vocabulary Flashcards
Microscopic prokaryotes most are beneficial to humans and to the environment, but a small percentage can cause disease
Bacteria
Area in a prokaryotic cell that contains a large, circular chromosome
Nucleoid
Polysaccharide layer secreted around the cell wall by some prokaryotes that prevents the cell from drying out and helps the cell attach to environmental surfaces
Capsule
Hairlike, submicroscopic structure made of protein that can help a bacterial cell attach to environmental surfaces and act as a bridge between cells
Pilus
Asexual form of reproduction used by some prokaryotes in which a cell divides into two genetically identical cells
Binary fission
Form of reproduction used by some prokaryotes in which the prokaryotic cells attack to each other and exchange genetic material
Conjugation
Dormant bacterial cell able to survive for long periods of time during extreme environmental conditions
Endospore
Nonliving strand of genetic material that cannot replicate on its own, has a nucleic acid core, a protein coat, and can invade cells and alter cellular function
Virus
Outer protein layer that surrounds the genetic material of a virus
Capsid
Viral replication process in which genetic material of the virus enters the host cell’s cytoplasm, the cell replicates the viral DNA or RNA, and the host cell is instructed to manufacture capsids and assemble new viral particles which then leave the cell
Lytic cycle
Viral replication process in which viral DNA inserts into the host cell’s chromosome, may remain dormant and later activate and instruct the host cell to produce more viruses
Lysogenic cycle
RNA virus, such as HIV, with reverse transcriptase in its core
Retrovirus
Protein that can cause infection or disease
Prion
