Lecture 3 & 4 Flashcards
What is plasmid?
Bacteria carries additional DNA in plasmids. Plasmids allow for swap of genes.
What is the role of peptidoglycan in bacteria?
Bacterial cell walls are made of peptidoglycan, which made of polymers of sugars and amino acids.
What is horizontal gene transfer?
Passing on genetic material to members of the same generation instead of parent to daughter cell. DNA transfer by conjugation.
Define chemotroph
Organism that gains energy by chemically breaking down inorganic material.
Define phototroph
Organism that gains energy by capturing solar energy
What is the difference between saprophytes and parasites
Saprophytes consume dead organisms while parasites consume organisms while they’re still alive.
Define thermophile
“heat loving” extremophile organism with an optimal growth temp above 41 degrees C
Define gram +ve and gram -ve bacteria
gram positive bacteria
- monophyletic group
- large thick peptidoglycan wall and inner membrane
- no outer membrane
- stains purple
gram negative bacteria
- thin peptidoglycan layer that is sandwiched between inner and outer membrane
- stains red
What are producers?
They are autotrophs which means they turn inorganic chemical energy into organic matter.
Chemotrophs and phototrophs. Examples: cyanobacteria, algae, etc.
What are consumers?
They are heterotrophs which means they consume other organisms for their own metabolic processes. Examples: animals, humans
What are decomposers?
They are organisms that break down complex organic matter for their own metabolic processes. Examples: fungi, bacteria, etc.
Define psychrophiles, mesophiles, thermophiles, and hyperthermophiles.
Psychrophiles have optimal growth at 4 degrees C. Mesophiles have optimal growth at 39 degrees C. (eg. E Coli)
Thermophiles have optimal growth at 60 degrees C.
Hyperthermophiles have optimal growth at near or above boiling and also extremely cold temperatures.
