Introduction to Bacteria Flashcards
Outline the growth cycle & replication of bacteria Contrast the different forms of metabolism utilized by bacteria Define obligate aerobes, obligate anaerobes, facultative anaerobes, microaerophiles; halophiles & thermophiles Describe the process and significance of sporulation Describe how bacteria can modulate gene expression Explain how bacteria exchange genetic information & discuss its medical significance - conjugation, transduction and transformation
What are the phases of cell growth?
- Lag Phase - Adapt to the environment
- Exponential Phase - Rapid bacterial growth
- Stationary Phase - Nutrients become depleted, cell growth = cell death
- Decline - Cells die
What factors affect bacterial cell growth?
Temperature, pH, O2, nutrient availability
What is the difference between selective and differential agar media?
Selective media only allows certain types of bacteria to grow. Differential media allows several bacteria to grow and enables one to differentiate between the types of bacteria.
What is an obligate aerobe?
Requires O2 for growth
What is the classification of a bacteria that cannot grow in the presence of O2?
Obligate anaerobe
In what conditions can facultative anaerobes live?
In either the presence or absence of O2
What are aerotolerant aerobes?
Bacteria that do not use O2 for growth, but are not killed by the presence of O2
These bacteria grow only in the presence of limited O2.
Microaerophilic organisms
These bacteria grow optimally at high temperates, above 50C, but will also grow at lower temperatures.
Faculative Thermophiles
Obligate thermophiles only grow under what conditions?
High temperates above 50C
What bacteria can tolerate high salt concentrations?
Halotolerant halophiles
These bacteria require high salt concentrations for growth.
Obligate halophiles
How do bacteria capture iron from the enivronment?
Bacteria use siderophores to capture environmental iron. Siderophores are also considered a virulence factor because they promote replication.
What are the essential requirements for bacterial growth?
Carbon, nitrogen, energy source, ions, water, essential elements, iron
Where does bacterial catabolism take place?
Catabolism takes place in the external environment. Metabolites then enter cells through active or passive transport.
What catabolic mechanism generates the most energy in cells?
Electron transport chain in aerobic respiration
List all methods of energy product in prokaryotes in order of increasing energy production.
Fermentation < Anaerobic Respiration < Aerobic Respiration
How many molecules of ATP are produced through fermentation?
2 ATP vs. 38 ATP in aerobic respiration
What glycolytic product is utilized in fermentation?
Pyruvate, which is then converted into various end products such as lactic acid