Chapter 20 - Prokaryotes And Viruses Flashcards
Anaerobe
An organism that can live and grow in the absence of oxygen
Archaea
One of life’s three domains; consists of prokaryotes that are only distantly related to members of the domain bacteria
Bacteria
One of life’s three domains; consist of prokaryotes that are only distantly related to members of the domain Archaea
Bacteriophage
A virus that specifically infects bacteria
Biofilm
a community of prokaryotes of one or more species in which the prokaryotes secrete and are embedded in slime that adheres to a surface
Bioremediation
The use of organisms to remove or detoxify toxic substances in the environment
Conjugation
In prokaryotes, the transfer of DNA from one cell to another via a temporary connection
Endospore
A protective resting structure of some rod-shaped bacteria that withstands unfavorable environmental conditions
Flagellum
Long hairlike motile extension of the plasma membrane. The movement of flagella propel some cells through fluids.
Host
The prey organism on or in which a parasite lives; the host is harmed by the relationship
Nitrogen fixing bacterium
A bacterium that possesses the ability to remove nitrogen (N2) from the atmosphere and combine it with hydrogen to produce ammonia (NH3)
Pathogenic
Capable of producing disease; referring to an organism with such a capability (pathogen)
Plasmid
A small, circular piece of DNA located in the cytoplasm of many bacteria; usually does not carry genes required for the normal functioning of the bacterium, but may carry genes such as those for antibiotic-resistance, that assist bacterial survival in certain environments
Prion
A protein that, in mutated form, acts as an infectious agent that causes certain neurodegenerative diseases including kuru and scrapie
Prokaryotic fission
The process by which a single bacterium divides in half producing two identical offspring
