Chapter 4 Flashcards
What differentiates archaea and bacteria from eukaryotes?
They have no nuclei or any other membrane-bound organelles.
What are some prokaryote habits and functions?
- They are extremely resilient and adaptable → They can be found everywhere on our planet, even under extreme conditions.
- Prokaryotes also are abundant on and within the human body.
- Bacteria thrive in the human mouth, nasal cavity, throat, ears, gastrointestinal tract, vagina, and skin (especially in moist areas).
- Their existence is very important for the stability and thriving of ecosystems
What are three pros of prokaryotes?
- Capturing (or “fixing”) and recycling elements.
- Cleaning up the environment.
- Regulates immunity
What are three cons of prokaryotes?
- Some are human pathogens.
- Can contaminate food → spoilage or foodborne illness.
- Less than 1% of prokaryotes (all of them bacteria) = human pathogens and are responsible for a large number of the diseases that afflict humans.
What are cooperative interactions?
Benefits the interactions.
What are competitive interactions?
Populations complete for resources.
What is microbial ecology?
The study of interactions between organisms.
What is symbiosis?
Any interaction between different species that are associated with each other → Symbiotic relationship.
What is mutualism?
Both species benefited
What is amensalism?
One species harmed and one species unaffected.
What is commensalism?
One species benefited and one species unaffected.
What is neutralism?
Both species are unaffected.
What is parasitism?
One species benefited and one species harmed.
What is a microbiome?
Microbiome refers to all prokaryotic and eukaryotic microorganisms and their genetic material that are associated with a certain organism or environment.
What are resident microbiota?
They are present all the time.
What are transient microbiota?
They are present only some of the time.
Why are individuals more likely to get diseases if they are born via c-section?
Infants are first exposed to bacteria in the vaginal canal during childbirth increasing their immunity.
What does Lactobacillus do?
- Produces lactic acid
- Contributes to the acidity of the vagina and mouth
- Inhibits yeast growth
What is the best way to classify prokaryotes?
Gene sequencing.
What are the two groups that gram positive bacteria can be sorted into?
High guanine and cytosine gram-positive bacteria (<50%)
or
Low G+C gram-positive bacteria (>50%)
How do you sort gram-negative bacteria?
Similarity of the nucleotide sequences in their genome.
What are facultative intracellular organisms?
They are capable of living and reproducing in or outside of host cells.