Monera Flashcards
What are the shapes of bacteria?
Cocci, Bacilli, Spirila
Examples include Staphylococcus Aureus for Cocci, Escherichia Coli for Bacilli, and Treponema pallidum for Spirila.
What is the shape of Cocci bacteria?
Spherical
Example: Staphylococcus Aureus causing pneumonia.
What is the shape of Bacilli bacteria?
Rod
Example: Escherichia Coli (E. Coli).
What is the shape of Spirila bacteria?
Spiral
Example: Treponema pallidum causing syphilis.
What is the function of the cell wall in bacteria?
Prevents bacteria from bursting in less concentrated solutions than their cytoplasm.
What does the cytoplasm of bacteria contain?
Ribosomes, but no organelles.
What is the purpose of the capsule in bacteria?
Protects the bacteria.
What is the function of flagella in bacteria?
Movement.
What is a plasmid?
Contains DNA and could contain a gene for drug resistance.
What is binary fission?
Asexual reproduction method in bacteria.
Fill in the blank: During binary fission, the DNA _______.
replicates.
What happens to the chromosome during binary fission?
Attaches to the cell membrane.
What occurs after the cell elongates in binary fission?
The cell divides.
How many identical cells are formed after binary fission?
2.
How often does replication occur in bacteria?
Every 20 minutes.
What is endospore formation?
A process in adverse environmental conditions where one DNA strand is enclosed by a tough wall.
What happens to the parent cell during endospore formation?
The parent dies.
What is the state of an endospore when environmental conditions are unfavorable?
Dormant.
What happens when favorable conditions return for an endospore?
The endospore reproduces by binary fission.
What is pH?
A measure of acidity or alkalinity of a solution
pH can affect enzyme activity and bacterial growth
Define heterotrophic bacteria.
Bacteria that obtain their food from other organisms
Examples include parasitic, saprophytic, and some other types
What are parasitic bacteria?
Bacteria that take their food from a live host and harm the host
Example: bacillus anthracis causing anthrax
Define photosynthetic bacteria.
Bacteria that use light energy to make food
Example: purple sulphur bacteria
What are chemosynthetic bacteria?
Bacteria that use energy from chemical reactions to make food
Example: nitrifying bacteria
What temperature range do most bacteria grow well in?
20-30 degrees Celsius
Some bacteria can tolerate higher temperatures without enzyme denaturation
How do low temperatures affect bacterial growth?
They slow down growth due to slower enzyme activity
Activity of enzymes is crucial for metabolic processes
What are aerobes?
Bacteria that require oxygen to grow
Example: streptococcus causing strep throat
Define anaerobes.
Bacteria that do not require oxygen for growth
They can be divided into facultative and obligate anaerobes
What are facultative anaerobes?
Bacteria that can live in the presence or absence of oxygen
Example: E. Coli
What are obligate anaerobes?
Bacteria that cannot live in the presence of oxygen
Example: Clostridium tetani causing tetanus
How does solute concentration affect bacteria?
Bacteria can lose or gain water by osmosis depending on the solute concentration
Loss of water can lead to inactivity
What is an example of a beneficial bacterium?
Lactobacillus used to produce dairy products
E. Coli is also beneficial as part of gut flora
What are harmful bacteria?
Bacteria that cause disease (pathogens)
Examples include bacillus anthracis and Staphylococcus Aureus
What are antibiotics?
Substances produced by microorganisms to kill or stop the growth of bacteria or fungi
They are essential in treating bacterial infections
What can lead to antibiotic resistant bacteria?
Prescribing antibiotics when they are not needed or not taking the full dose of antibiotics.
This often occurs with viral infections like the flu.
What occurs during the lag phase of bacterial growth?
The bacteria adjust to their new environment.
During which phase do bacteria reproduce at their maximum potential?
Log phase.
What characterizes the stationary phase in bacterial growth?
Birth rate = death rate due to lack of food, space, oxygen.
What happens during the decline phase of bacterial growth?
Bacteria die off due to lack of food, space, oxygen.
What is the survival phase in bacterial growth?
Bacteria survive as endospores.
Define batch culture in bacterial growth.
Growth of cells in a sealed container where nutrients are added at the start and products are removed at the end.
What is continuous flow in bacterial growth?
Growth of cells in an open container where nutrients are constantly added and products are constantly removed.
