Ch1 Flashcards
(31 cards)
what is the cytoplasmic membrane?
It is what separates the inside from the outside of the cell
The science of microbiology revolves around what two themes?
1) understanding the nature and functioning of the microbial world.
2) Applying our understanding for the benefit of mankind
What is cytoplasm?
It is an aqueous mixture of macromolecules- protiens,lipids,nucleic acids, and polysaccharides and various ions
What are ribosomes?
Protein synthesizing stuructures
What do prokaryotes consist of?
Bacteria and Archea and consist of relatively small and structurally simple cells.
What do Eukaryotes consist of ?
They are typically larger than prokaryotes and contain an assortment of cytoplasmic structures and organelles
What is a genome?A gene?
it is the total complement of genetic information of a cell or virus. a gene is a segment of DNA that encodes a protein or RNA macromolecule
How is DNA present in Eukaryotes, Archea, and Bacteria
In eukaryotes DNA is present in linear molecules and in both bacteria and Archea it is present as closed circular chromosomes
What is a Nucleoid?
A mass visible in the electron microscope
What do plasmids typically contain?
contains genes that confer special properties of the cell rather than essential genes needed under all growth conditions
What do all microbial cells typically have?
Metabolism by taking up nutrients from the environment and transforming them into new cell materials and waste products.
What is growth?
Refers to the increase in cell numbers as a result of cell division.
What are enzymes and what do they do?
enzymes carry out reactions that supply the energy and precursors necessary for biosynthesis of all cell components.
what is the advantage to those cells capable of motility?
they are able to move away from unfavorable conditions or are able to exploit new resources.
what does differentiation result in?
it results in the formation of modified cells specialized for growth dispersal or survival
who is able to do genetic exchange and what is genetic exchange?
Prokaryotic cells and genetic exchange is where they can transfer or accept genes either of the same or different species.
What is Evolution?
The process of descent with modification where genetic variants are selected based on their reproductive fitness.
What are the 3 major lineages of microbial cells?
Bacteria,Archaea, and Eukarya
what are 2 important facts of microbial cells
1) Bacteria and Archea are phylogenetically distinct despite sharing many structural features. 2) Archea are most closely related to Eukarya than bacteria.
what is Habitat?
the immediate environment in which a microbial population lives.
What is an ecosystem?
it is all living organisms together with the physical and chemical components of their enviroment
What are Extremophiles?
AN organism that grows optimally under one or more chemical and physical extremes- these prokaryotes do not just tolerate these conditions but require it in order to grow.
what is a pathogen?
A disease causing microorganism
What is bioremediation?
it is when microorganisms are used to consume environmentally toxic pollutants.
