module 1: microbiology, basic biochemistry, cells & cell parts Flashcards
what is microbiology?
the study of all small things (bacteria, archaea, eukarya)
what is the size of bacteria?
1-10 micrometers
what is the size of viruses?
20 nanometers (polio is one of the smallest)
what is the size range of eukaryotes?
30-50 micrometers, but can also be as small as 7 micrometers
what roles do microbes play?
not always positive, depends on their relationship
where are microbes NOT found?
sterile environments, 100% microbe free.
when was microbiology first discovered?
1600s-early 1700s
what chemical bonds are positive/negative?
ionic bonds
what chemical bonds share electrons?
covalent bonds
describe hydrogen bonds
attraction of positive side to the negative side of another molecule
what part of the scientific process do we use chemistry in microbiology?
the “experimental” step
what part of the periodic table are we most focused on? why?
halogens, because they are microbe killers. examples: fluorine, bromine, iodine
what part of the pH scale is considered “acidic”?
the range from 0-7
what is 7 considered on the ph scale?
base
what part of the pH scale is considered “basic”?
7-14
what can really really extreme pH do to a protein?
reduce/denature the protein… to unfold, break down, or fall apart
what is a redox reaction?
part of an energy exchange used in metabolism that makes energy, or ATP
what is LEO in terms of redox reaction?
Lost of an electron… oxidation
what is GER in terms of redox reaction?
Gaining of an electron… reduced
what is the subunit for Carbohydrate?
glucose- 6 carbon sugar
what is a polymer?
giant repeating compound
what is the subunit for lipids?
fatty acids
are lipids hydrophobic or hydrophillic?
hydrophobic (from the fatty acid tails, which face each other to form the membrane)
what cells is cholesterol found?
animal cells, cell membrane
what type of sterol is found in animal cells?
cholesterol
what type of sterol is found in fungi/yeast/mold cells?
ergosterol
can bacteria use cholesterol? why?
no, they have hopaoid instead. bacteria don’t use cholesterol at all
what is HDL?
High Density Lipo-Protein
what is LDL?
Low Density Lipo-Protein (floating through the blood, sticks to arteries)
what is the subunit for nucleic acids?
nucleotide
what are the 3 main parts of a nucleotide?
- nitrogen base (ATCG)
- phosphate
- ribose (carbon)
how many strands is DNA?
2, it is double stranded
how many strands is RNA?
1, it is single stranded
what sugar is in DNA?
deoxyribose sugar
what sugar is in RNA?
ribose sugar
what is the purpose of DNA?
genetic information
what is the purpose of RNA?
providing message to a ribosome on how proteins are made in cells
what are the subunits for proteins?
amino acids
what is a polypeptide?
the folding proteins that become structural parts of cells, the bonds between amino acids
what is the function of proteins?
the builders. proteins act as enzymes
describe the gene to protein theory
we have genes made of DNA. the genetic information is transcribed to the RNA, which translates the sequences. long amino acid chains are formed, and folded into proteins.
what is the big difference in prokaryotes vs eukaryotes?
big difference: presence of nucleus!
name another difference in prokaryotes and eukaryotes
size! prokaryotes are smaller, eukaryotes are bigger
what cell type has linear chromosomes?
eukaryote
where is DNA held in eukaryotic cells?
inside chromosomes
what is mitosis?
growth
what is meiosis?
reproduction
what cell has only a plasma membrane?
eukaryotic cells
describe eukaryotic cells “melting pot” plasma membrane
lots of components embedded on the surface (protein, enzymes, other structures)
describe selective permeability of eukaryotic plasma membranes
(ping pong pool analogy)… small particles like water and salt can pass through, while larger objects cannot pass through
what concept is “simple diffusion” related to?
related to selective permeability because it deals with things passing through the plasma membrane and the diffusion of particles
what is the important component of plasma membranes that eukaryotes posess?
eukaryotic plasma membranes have cholesterol
what is phagocytosis and pinocytosis?
the ability of a cell to wrap its plasma membrane around something and completely engulf it. nom nom nom
what type of cells are able to phagocytize?
eukaryotic cells
what is cytoplasm?
the liquid-y part of the cell
list some the functions and duties of cytoplasm
responsible for cell shape, intracellular transport of genetic material and products for cellular respiration, and storage, protein folding, enzyme catalysis
what is the function of cilia?
extensions that come off the cell & are covered in plasma membrane… increases surface area (not all cells have these!)
what is the function of flagella?
mobility structure, used for motion/swimming away (HUMAN BODIES HAVE NONE OF THESE)
what cell type has cilia?
only eukaryotes have cilia
what is the function of ribosomes?
they make protein!! binding amino acids into protein (protein synthesis). use mRNA to make the string of amino acids called a polypeptide.
what cells have ribosomes?
BOTH prokaryotes and eukaryotes. they HAVE to have ribosomes to function!! (although they have slightly different structures)
what type of cells do yeast fall under?
yeast are eukaryotes
describe the shape and makeup of ribosomes
the shape itself (the hamburger bun) is made of protein and RNA
what type of cells have mitochondria?
ONLY eukaryotes
what is the function of mitochondria?
the powerhouse of the cell for eukaryotes
describe the basis of endosymbiotic theory
over millions and millions of years, two types of bacteria inserted themselves along the eukaryotic timeline. in ancient times, there were prokaryotic cells that got engulfed through phagocytosis. the little photosynthetic cells they possessed became the organelles we know now to be mitochondria & chloroplasts
what are Giardia lamblia?
(protozoan) cysts from feces contaminate water supplies; causes diarrheal illness
what are Plasmodium falciparum?
(protozoan) severe and fatal malaria
what is Ascaris lumbricoides?
(helminth) gut/lung/bloodstream lifecycle one
what is Candida albicans?
(fungi) yeast overgrowth in the mouth/throat
what type of cell is algae?
eukaryotic
describe what cyanobacteria is
prokaryotic… no nucleus and photosynthetic
describe the shape of prokaryotes compared to eukaryotes
prokaryotes are smaller
what is the prokaryotic nucleoid region?
the space where DNA is stored, hthe majority of the cell space
how is DNA packaged in prokaryotic nucleoid region?
circular piece of DNA/ribosomes tightly packed
how does the DNA stay in one specific region of prokaryotic cells?
NAPS - nucleoid associated protein
what are plasmids?
accessory for DNA, the bling. they are shorter than the actual circular chromosome
what shape are chromosomes and plasmids in prokaryotes?
circular
where are ribosomes found in prokaryotic cells?
within the cytoplasm
what is the purpose of ribosomes in prokaryotic cells?
translation. ribosomes build polypeptides
describe how ribosomes “look” and their numbers in prokaryotic cells
hamburger bun. top bun is 50S, bottom bun is 30S. totaling at 70S
what are inclusion bodies?
storage pockets/packets. specific to species.. not all have them
what are PHB’s, in relation to storage bodies?
big polymer made in/stored in inclusion bodies. they are the precursor to plastic
what aspects of the prokaryotic plasma membrane are the SAME as eukaryotic plasma membrane?
selectively permeable, made of phospholipids, contain proteins
do prokaryotes have cholesterol in their plasma membranes?
no. they have an alternate polymer called a Hopanoid (and archaea have “hopanoid-like” structure)
what are the main differences between prokaryotic plasma membranes and eukaryotic plasma membrane?
prokaryotes have no cholesterol imbedded, different structure called Hopanoids instead, and the phagocytosis role isn’t present
why is phagocytosis not present in prokaryotic cells?
due to the cell wall
describe the cell wall in prokaryotic cells
the prokaryotic cell wall has a membrane and then a peptidoglycan layer
describe the three parts of a gram negative cell’s structure
a gram negative bacteria has a plasma membrane, outer membrane, and a thin layer of peptidoglycan
what is peptidoglycan?
a giant polymer, repeating pattern organic molecule, made of peptide bonds that’s locking into two different types of sugar called the NAG and NAM sugars
how are peptidoglycan made?
NAG and NAM + peptide bonding = peptidoglycan
what type of cell is peptidoglycan for?
prokaryotes, specifically bacteria
describe gram-positive peptidoglycan
super thick repeating layer of peptidoglycan. teichoic acid related to this topic
describe gram-negative peptidoglycan
thin layer of peptidoglycan. LPS (lipopolysaccharide) associated to this topic
describe glycocalyx
some cells have a slime layer and capsule. benefit: sugary/lipid layer to help bacteria stick & grow
what are flagella?
the number a cell has can vary greatly. helps with motility, esp with bacteria. NOT all prokaryotes have these
describe chemotaxis
moving toward and away using the movement of “run and tumble” with flagella
who is associated with 1850s/early 1900s discovery of germs/disease?
Louis Pasteur, Robert Koch
who is associated with 1940s chemotherapy penicillin?
Fleming
who is associated with 1940s discovery of DNA double helix structure?
Franklin/Watson/Crick
