Microbiology Flashcards
What is the range of size for a prokaryote
0.2 μm > 700 μm diameter
What is the range of size for a eukaryote
10 μm > 200 μm diameter
What is a protozoa
A eukaryote - animal-like
No cell wall or chlorophyll
Ingest particulate food
What is algae
A eukaryote - plant-like
Rigid cell wall
Has chlorophyll
May be multicellular
What is fungi
Eukaryote Rigid cell wall No chlorophyll Uni- or Multi-cellular Secrete enzymes that degrade many complex structures
What is bacteria
Prokaryote
Rigid cell wall
Unicellular
No chlorophyll but may be photosynthetic
May secrete enzymes that degrade complex structures
Divided into eubacteria and archaea
What are viruses
Simple protein-like structure
Metabolically inert
Infect ALL kingdoms
Why is cell morphology important
Identifies shape, structure, form, size of cells
What are examples of the selective forces that maybe involved in setting the morphology
Optimisation for nutrient uptake (small cells and those with high surface-volume ratio)
Swimming motility in viscous environment or near surfaces (helical or spiral-shaped cells)
Gliding motility (filamentous bacteria)
Do eukaryotes and/or prokaryotes have a nuclei
Only eukaryotes
Prokaryotes have nuclear material
Do eukaryotes and/or prokaryotes have membrane bound organelles and compartments
Eukaryotes have membrane bound organelles and compartments
Prokaryotes have no membrane bound intracellular compartments
What are the fundamental differences between archaea and eubacteria
Distinct 16S rRNA sequences
Cell wall composition
Lipid content of membranes
Transcription and translation processes
Where is cyanobacteria present and how does it gain energy
Marine and freshwater microflora
Photosynthesis
Are proteobacteria (purple bacteria) positive/negative Give examples
Gram-negative bacteria
E. coli
Salmonella typhimurium
Examples of gram-positive bacteria
Bacillus anthracis
Staphylococcus aureus
