Chapter 21: Anatomy of Bacteria Flashcards
Binary Fission
A method of asexual reproduction in bacteria in which cells split into two parts, each of which develops into a complete individual
Bacterial Colony
A visible group of bacteria growing on a solid medium, presumably arising from a single microorginaism
Coccus (plural: Cocci)
Spherical bacterial cells
Diplococci
Spherical bacteria appearing in pairs
Streptococci
Spherical bacteria arranged in a chain
Staphylococci
Spherical bacteria shaped like a cluster of grapes
Bacillus (plural: Bacilli)
Rod-shaped bacteria
Diplobacili
Rod-shaped bacteria appearing in pairs
Streptobacilli
Rod-shaped bacteria arranged in a chain
Cell Membrane
Semipermeable membrane surrounding the cytoplasm of a cell.
Glycocalyx
Sticky, gelatinous coating that surrounds the cell wall of prokaryotic cells
Capsule
A glycocalyx-like coating that is organized and firmly attached to the cell wall of prokaryotic cells
Slime Layer
A glycocalyx coating that is unorganized and loosely attached to the cell wall
Flagella
Long whip-like filament-containing appendages that propel the bacteria
Montrichous
Bacterium with one flagellum
Amphitruchous
Bacterium that has one flagellum on each end of the cell
Lophotrichous
Bacterium that has two or more flagella on either end of the cell
Peritrichous
Bacterium that has flagella distributed over the entire cell
Fimbriae and Pili
Allow bacteria to attach to surfaces
Endospore
Thick-walled cell produced by a bacterium to enable it to survive unfavorable environmental conditions (the cell forms a highly resistant form of itself)
Sporulation
the process of forming an endospore
Why are endospores dangerous to embalmers?
Endospores are resistant to disinfectants and can only be killed through sterilization. Because bodies are disinfected, not sterilized, disease from these endospores can be spread.
Characteristics of Gram-positive bacteria
- Thick cell walls that are composed of few lipids
- More permeable to basic dyes
- More complex nutritional requirements
- More resistant to treatment and exposure to enzymes
Gram-negative bacteria are the opposite
Gram-Positive Bacteria
Bacteria that retain the dye stain
Gram-Negative Bacteria
Bacteria that do not retain the dye stain
Gram Staining
Widely used method of classifying bacteria into groups
Morphology
The study of the size, shape , and arrangements of microorganisms
