Microbes and the planet lect 1. Flashcards
Bacteria and archaea are (in terms of cells)
predominantly single-celled.
Many are single-celled.
– Developed into highly
complex multicellular
organisms
– Larger size
– A small minority compared to bacteria and archea
Describe eukaryotes:
- not independently living
– Inert outside the host
viruses
– 10 times smaller
than eukaryotes
– Lack organelles
– All are microorganisms
Bacteria and Archaea:
Break down the word prokaryotes
Pro= Primitive
Karyotes= “karyon”-nucleus
(These are more in number and only unicellular)
Eukaryotes
Euk= true
karyotes= “karyon”- nucleus
Microbes are ubiquitous: What does this mean and give examples
Can be found in all environments- a wide range of places.
- polar ice caps and oceans
– Inside the bodies of plants, animals and
humans
– Play central roles in the earth’s landscape
– Essential to life
-Deep in the earth’s crust
Photosynthesis-
Conversion of CO2 to organic material, accompanied by the formation of O2
(uses oxygen)
- occurred in bacteria before plants evolved
– Did not produce oxygen
- Anoxygenic photosynthesis
How do microbes drive the structure and content of the soil, water, and atmosphere:
– Microbes produce CO2, NO, and CH3
that insulate the earth’s atmosphere.
– Microorganisms - the most abundant cellular organisms in the oceans.
– Viruses - most abundant inhabitants of the oceans.
– Bacteria and fungi live in close association with plants and assist them in
obtaining nutrients and fighting disease
Explain genetic engineering
– Manipulation of the genetics of microbes, plants, and animals for the
purpose of creating new products and genetically modified organisms
(GMOs
– Makes it possible to transfer genetic material from one organism to
another and deliberately alter DNA
Recombinant DNA Technology
Uses microbes already present or introduced intentionally to restore
stability or clean up toxic pollutants
Bioremediation
