Prokaryote Characteristics Flashcards
Name the six shapes that prokaryotes can have.
- coccus
- Bacillus
- Vibrio
- Spirochete
- Spirillum
- Coccobacillus
Which bacteria shapes are capable of arrangement?
coccus and bacillus
What is the importance of the cell wall in bacteria?
To resist osmotic pressure.
What can happen to a cell in a hypertonic solution?
Crenation, the water moves out of the cell.
What can happen to a cell in a hypotonic solution?
Cell lysis, the water moves into the cell
What is plasmolysis?
The process in which the cell membrane contracts as water leaves the cell in a hypertonic solution.
What is the importance of plasmids in bacteria? What are plasmids?
Plasmids are extra DNA floating freely in the cytoplasm. They carry advantageous traits such as antibiotic resistance, eat new food source, and increase replication of bacteria speed.
What is the difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic ribosomes?
Prokaryotic-70S
Eukaryotic-80S
What are inclusions? What is their function?
A storage place for excess nutrients. Could be phosphate, carbohydrates, or sulfur.
What are endospores?
A state that allows certain bacteria to survive long periods without food, water, or even resist harsh environments. Dormant, no metabolic activity.
What is the benefit of having a circular nucleoid in prokaryotic cells? Versus having a linear structure in eukaryotic cells?
Circular structure–> infinite life cycle
Linear–> little bits of the end is shortened with every replication (finite life cycle)
What is the purpose of having a pilus?
- Motility purposes: it can move the bacteria around.
- Genetic exchange: it can give plasmids to other bacteria.
What is the purpose of the fimbriae?
It is adhesive tool. It allows the bacterial cell to attach itself to surfaces.
Ex: vibrio cholera has strong fimbriae, it stays on even when the system is being flushed with diarrhea
Flagella aids in motility for the prokaryotic cell, in what ways does it move the cell? (two ways)
- running (found an attractive force)
- tumbling (hoping to find something)
What is the main difference between eukaryotic cells and prokaryotic cells?
Eukaryotic cells have a membrane-bound nucleus.
Prokaryotic cells have a membrane-less nucleoid.