Characteristics of Microorganisms & Role in Nature

Question 1

prokaryotic cell

Answer 1

“pro” - “karyon”
“before” - “nucleus”

small, simple cells that do not contain a nucleus

lack specialized internal structures to carry out their functions

all prokaryotes are microorganisms, and smaller than eukaryotic cells

include bacteria + archea

Question 2

eukaryotic cell

Answer 2

complex cells that contain a nucleus and specialized internal structures called “organelles”

undergo mitotic cell division

only some eukaryotes are microorganisms (algae, protozoa, yeasts, molds, types fungi, worms and arthropods

Question 3

organelle

Answer 3

small component of eukaryotic cells that’s bound by one or more membranes and specialized in function

Question 4

photosynthesis

Answer 4

process used by plants, algae and certain bacteria where they trap sun’s energy and convert it to ATP in a cell. energy is used to fix CO2 into organic compounds.

oxygen formed as a byproduct

Question 5

decomposition

Answer 5

breakdown of dead matter and wastes into simple compounds that can be directed back into the natural cycle of living things