Lecture 1 - Introduction Flashcards
How does the size of a prokaryotic cell differ from a eukaryotic cell?
Prokaryotic cells are smaller and simpler.
Prokaryotic cells lack what internal membrane structure that eukaryotic cells have?
organelles
How do eukaryotic cells store their DNA?
DNA is stored in the nucleus in eukaryotic cells.
How do prokaryotic cells store their DNA?
Prokaryotes DO NOT have a nucleus. They have a nucleiod that contains DNA, called the bacterial chromosome.
They also have DNA that exists in plasmids; small, circular double stranded DNA. Plasmids are not connected to the bacterial chromosome and confer special properties, i.e. antibiotic resistance, ability to transform a chemical, etc.
cytoplasm
contains dissolved suspended materials that carry out cell functions
cytoplasmic membrane
controls the movement of materials into and out of the cell; is composed of fluid mosaic of proteins and lipids
cell wall
provides structural strength; is relatively permeable
ribosomes
composed of RNA and various proteins; are responsible for translation (protein synthesis)
plasmids
small, circular double stranded DNA located inside of prokaryotes; can contain genes that confer special properties to the cell
SSU rRNA (small subunit of ribosomal RNA)
- universally distributed in all organisms
- functionally homologous
- contains region of conservation (similar enough sequences) to allow sequences to be aligned and compared
aerobe
an organism that grows in the presence of oxygen
facultative aerobe
can grow in the presence or absence of oxygen
anaerobe
can only grow in the absence of oxygen
chemolithotroph
an organism that obtains energy from the oxidation of inorganic chemicals
chemoorganotroph
an organism that obtains its energy from the oxidation of organic chemicals
