Exam 3 Flashcards
Define science
Experimental, hypothesis-driven investigation of phenomena to elucidate (1) patterns in nature and (2) the processes governing the formation, maintenance, and changing of those patterns
What are the three parts of a scientific statement?
Cause -> Verb -> Effect
Where do Psychrophiles thrive?
Temperatures below 25*C
Where do Mesophiles thrive?
Temperatures between 20 and 35*C
Where do Thermophilies thrive?
Temperatures between 40 and 80*C (These were the bacteria present on early earth)
Where do Hyperthermophiles thrive?
Temperatures above 80*C
How can certain bacteria survive extreme heat?
Saturated fat membrane lipids, enzymes modified to be more stable at higher temperatures, and more GC content in DNA
Define Halotolerant organisms
do not mind salt
Define Halophilic organisms
thrive with 3% salt
Define Extreme Halophiles
thrive with 15+% (above saturation level of water)
Describe the ability of halophiles to counter salt
Salt pulls water out of the cell, halophiles counter this with organic solutes
Gram positive organisms tend to be more halotolerant
Define obligate aerobes
Must have O2 to use as terminal electron carrier
Define facultative aerobes
Can use O2 or anaerobic pathways
Define microaerophiles
Require O2 levels between 2-10%
Define obligate anaerobes
Killed by O2
Define tolerant anaerobes
Can survive O2, do not use it for energy
What tool can we use to determine the optimum oxygen levels for a particular microorganism? What would those look like for each organism?
Tubes with resazurin (pink=O2, clear=no) And thioglycate agar can be used to determine the optimum oxygen levels for a particular microorganism
Obligate Aerobe grow on top, Facultative Aerobe clusters near the top, Microaerophile have a high band, Obligate Anaerobes grow on the bottom, and Tolerant Aerobes grow evenly throughout
What are the components of Chlorophyll?
Porphyrin (rings), with magnesium and lipid side chains
What are the subtypes of Chlorophyll?
Chlorophyll a - plants, algae, cyanobacteria - red and blue
Chlorophyll b - plants, algae, cyanobacteria - red and blue
Bacteriochlorophyll a - infrared
What is the benefit of different absorption spectra among chlorophyll sub types?
Allows for more flexibility of light used, less competition.
What is the photosynthetic reaction center?
Complex of proteins and pigments that together execute photosynthesis.
Define Photophosphorylation
Conversion of light energy to chemical energy
What is a photoautotroph?
An autotroph that is also a phototroph. Most phototrophs are autotrophs.
How do phototrophs convert light energy into chemical energy?
Via proton motive force- use an electron transport chain and chemiosmosis
What are the two major classes of photophosphorylation?
Anoxygenic (cyclic photophospohrylation) and Oxygenic
What is the electron source in anoxygenic photosynthesis?
H2S and organic compounds
What is the electron source used for in anoxygenic photosynthesis?
to transfer between reaction center and electron transport chain (light to P870)
How is P870 as an electron donor?
Can be either a strong or a poor donor, depending on if it is excited by light energy