Exam 1 Vocab/concepts Flashcards
Acid-fast stain
A term referring to the property of mycobacteria to retain carbon fuchsin even in the presence of acid alcohol. The staining procedure is used to diagnose tuberculosis.
Amphitrichous
Type of flagellar arrangement. A single flagellum (or multiple flagella) can extend from both ends of the cell
Appendages
Accessory structures that sprout from the surface of bacteria. They can be divided into two major groups: those that provide motility and those that enable adhesion.
Archaea
Prokaryotic single-celled organisms of primitive origin that have unusual anatomy, physiology, and genetics, and live in harsh habitats; when capitalized (Archaea), the term refers to one of the three domains of living organisms as proposed by Woese.
Axial filament
A type of flagellum (called an endoflagellum) that lies in the periplasmic space of spirochetes and is responsible for locomotion. Also called periplasmic flagellum.
Bacillus
Bacterial cell shape that is basically cylindrical (longer than it is wide ); plural is bacilli
Bacteria
(plural of bacterium) Category of prokaryotes with peptidoglycan in their cell walls and a single, circular chromosome. This group of small cells is widely distributed in the earth’s habitat
Bacterial chromosome
A circular body in bacteria that contains the primary genetic material. Also called nucleoid.
Basal body
Part of the flagellum that anchors the hook (filament is insetted into hook) to the cell body; it is a stack of rings that is anchored through the cell wall to the cell membrane
Capsule
In bacteria, the loose, gel-like covering or slime made chiefly of simple polysaccharides. This layer is protective and can be associated with virulence
Cell membrane
Inner layer of cell envelope (gram negative and inner layer below cell wall and outer layer); bilayer of lipids with proteins embedded
Chemotaxis
The tendency of cells to move in response to a chemical gradient (toward an attractant or to avoid adverse stimuli). In inflammation, it refers to the movement of blood cells in reaction to chemical signals.
Chlamydias
Tiny gram negative bacteria that are obligate parasites inside the vacuoles of host cells; members cause a type of STD and pneumonia
Coccobacillus
An elongated coccus; a short, thick oval-shaped bacterial rod.
Coccus
A spherical-shaped bacterial cell; plural is cocci
Conjugation
In bacteria, the contact between donor and recipient cells associated with the transfer of genetic material such as plasmids. Can involve special (sex) polo. Asp a for, pf sexual recombination in ciliated protozoans.
Cyanobacteria
Widespread and ecologically important photosynthetic bacteria; evidence indicates their role in the evolution of chloroplasts in eukaryotic cells
Cytoplasm
Dense fluid encased by the cell membrane; the site of many of the cell’s biochemical and synthetic activities.
Cytoplasmic membrane
In eukaryotes is a bilayer of phospholipids and sterols with proteins embedded
Biofilms
A complex aggregate of interacting microbial cells that adhere to each other and to surfaces by means of polysaccharide matrix. Biofilms permit communication among participants, which facilitates their survival and adaptation
Biotechnology
The use of organisms (microbes, plants, animals) or their products in the commercial or industrial realm
Bacterial endospore resistance
Bacteria that have a two-phase life cycle that allows them to withstand hostile environments and survive for long periods of time.
Cell wall
Outer layer of cell envelope; composed of peptidoglycan and other molecules
Chagas disease (NTD)
Chagas disease (NTD): A disease transmitted by insects that can be lifethreatening. There are two phases: acute and chronic. Both can have no symptoms and be life-threatening. Can have fever, fatigue, headache, rash, loss of appetite, and can lead to cardiac and intestinal complications.