Microbial strucutre and growth

Question 1

Simple transport

Answer 1

a transporter that
consists of only a membranespanning protein and is typically driven by
energy from the proton motive force

Question 2

group transport

Answer 2

an energy-dependent
transport system in which the substance
transported is chemically modified during
the process of being transported by a series
of proteins

Question 3

ABC transport system

Answer 3

(ATP-binding cassette) transport
system a membrane transport system
consisting of three proteins, one of which
hydrolyzes ATP; the system transports
specific nutrients into the cell

Question 4

Aerobe

Answer 4

an organism that can use O2 in
respiration; some require O2

Question 5

aerotolerant aerobe

Answer 5

a microorganism
unable to respire O2 but whose growth is
unaffected by it

Question 6

alkaliphile

Answer 6

an organism that has a growth
pH optimum of 8 or higher

Question 7

autoclave

Answer 7

a sealed heating device that
destroys microorganisms with temperature
and steam under pressure

Question 8

binary fusion

Answer 8

cell division following enlargement of a cell to twice its minimum size

Question 9

biofilm

Answer 9

an attached polysaccharide matrix
containing bacterial cells

Question 10

budding division

Answer 10

a cell division process
whereby new cell material is produced from
a single point instead of along the entire cell

Question 11

cardinal temperatures

Answer 11

the minimum,
maximum, and optimum growth temperatures for a given organism

Question 12

compatible solute

Answer 12

a molecule that is
accumulated in the cytoplasm of a cell for
adjustment of water activity but that does
not inhibit biochemical processes

Question 13

extreme halophile

Answer 13

a microorganism that
requires very large amounts of NaCl, usually
greater than 10% and in some cases near
saturation, for growth

Question 14

facultative

Answer 14

with respect to O2, an organism that can grow in either its presence or
absence

Question 15

generation time

Answer 15

the time required for a
population of microbial cells to double

Question 16

halophile

Answer 16

a microorganism that requires
NaCl for growth

Question 17

halotolerant

Answer 17

a species of Bacteria or
Archaea whose growth temperature optimum is 80°C or greater

Question 18

hyperthermophyle

Answer 18

a species of Bacteria or
Archaea whose growth temperature optimum is 80°C or greater

Question 19

mesophyle

Answer 19

an organism that grows best at
temperatures between 20 and 40°C

Question 20

microaerophile

Answer 20

an aerobic organism that
can grow only when O2 tensions are reduced from that present in air

Question 21

MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration)

Answer 21

the minimum concentration of a
substance necessary to prevent microbial
growth

Question 22

neutrophile

Answer 22

an organism that grows best at
neutral pH, between pH 5.5 and 8

Question 23

obligate anaerobe

Answer 23

an organism that cannot
grow in the presence of O2

Question 24

osmophile

Answer 24

an organism that grows best in
the presence of high levels of solute, typically a sugar

Question 25

psychrophyle

Answer 25

an organism with a growth
temperature optimum of 15°C or lower
and a maximum growth temperature
below 20°C

Question 26

psychrotolerant

Answer 26

capable of growing at low
temperatures but having an optimum
above 20°C

Question 27

thermophile

Answer 27

e an organism whose growth
temperature optimum lies between 45
and 80°C

Question 27

water activity

Answer 27

the ratio of the vapor pressure of air in equilibrium with a solution to
the vapor pressure of pure water

Question 28

xerophile

Answer 28

an organism that is able to
live, or that lives best, in very dry
environments

Question 29

acidophyle

Answer 29

an organism that grows best at
low pH, typically below pH 5.5