Chapter 2 Flashcards
Pathogen
A disease causing agent, often a virus or micro-organism
Mutualism
a relationship between two species that live in very close association with each other; whereby each benefits from each association
Antibiotic
a substance that can kill or weaken micro-organisms; natural antibiotics are produced by bacteria or fungi, whereas synthetic antibiotics are manufactured
Plasmid
a small loop of DNA often found in prokaryotic cells; usually contains a small number of genes
Capsule
an outer layer on some bacteria; provides some protection for the cell
Coccus
a round bacterial cell
Bacillus
rod-shaped bacterial cell
Spirillum
a spiral or corkscrew-shaped bacterial cell
Inorganic chemical
a chemical that has an abiotic orgin; some simple substances that are produced by organisms are also classified as inorganic
Organic chemical
any chemical that contains carbon and is produced by living things; carbon dioxide is an exception, produced during respiration but it classified as inorganic
Obligate Aerobe
an organism that cannot survive without oxygen
Facultative Aerobe
an organism that can live with or without oxygen
Fermentation
an anaerobic process that releases chemical energy from food
Obligate Anaerobe
an organism that cannot survive in the presence of oxygen
Binary Fission
the division of one parent cell into two genetically identical daughter cells; a form of asexual reproduction
Conjugation
a form of sexual reproduction in which two cells join to exchange genetic information
Transformation
a process in which a bacterial cell takes in and uses pieces of DNA from its environment
Horizontal gene transfer
the transfer of genetic information from one species into a different species
