Prokaryotes Flashcards

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0
Q

What is meant by gram-positive vs. gram-negative? Which tend to be more antibiotic resistant?

A

Gram positive bacteria have simpler cell walls with large amount to of peptidoglycan. Gram-negative bacteria have less peptidoglycan and the outer membrane can be toxic. They are more antibiotic resistant.

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1
Q

What is peptidoglycan?

A

A network of sugar molecules cross linked by polypeptides. It makes up the bacterial cell wall.

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2
Q

What are fimbriae?

A

Hair like appendages that allow prokaryotes to stick to their substrate or other individuals in a colony.

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3
Q

What are pili?

A

Appendages (longer than fimbriae) that allow prokaryotes to exchange DNA.

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4
Q

Where is the DNA of prokaryotes located?

A

In the nucleoid.

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5
Q

What are plasmids?

A

Smaller rings of DNA.

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6
Q

What are the key features of prokaryotic reproduction?

A
  1. Small
  2. Reproduce by binary fission.
  3. Short generation times.
  4. Evolve very rapidly.
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7
Q

What are endospores?

A

A thick coated, resistant cell produced by some bacterial cells when they are exposed to harsh conditions.

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8
Q

What contributes to the genetic diversity of prokaryotes?

A
  1. Rapid reproduction.
  2. Mutation.
  3. Genetic recombination.
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9
Q

What is transformation? Transduction?

A

Transformation is when a prokaryotic cell takes up and incorporates foreign DNA from the surrounding environment. Transduction is the movement of genes between bacteria by bacteriophages (viruses that infect bacteria).

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10
Q

What are the different forms of metabolism in relation to oxygen?

A
  1. Obligate aerobes.
  2. Obligates anaerobes.
  3. Facultative anaerobes.
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11
Q

What is nitrogen fixation?

A

Conversion of atmospheric nitrogen (N2) to ammonia (NH3).

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12
Q

What are the three categories of archaea?

A
  1. Extreme halophiles live in highly saline environments.
  2. Extreme thermopiles thrive in very hot environments.
  3. Methanogens live in swamps and marshes and produce methane gas as a waste product.
    They are strict anaerobes.
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13
Q

What is proteobacteria?

A

Include gram negative bacteria; photo, Chemo, and heterotrophs.

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14
Q

What are chlamydias?

A

Parasites that live within animal cells.

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15
Q

What are spirochetes?

A

Helical heterotrophs.

16
Q

What are Cyanobacteria?

A

Photoautotrophs that produce oxygen.

17
Q

What are gram-positive bacteria?

A

Acrtinomycetes (decompose soil)
Bacillus antracis (cause of anthrax)
Clostridium botulinum (botulism)
Some staphylococcus and streptococcus

18
Q

What is bacterias role in nutrient cycling?

A

Chemoheterotrophic Prokaryotes function as decomposes, breaking down dead organisms and waste products. Can increase the availability of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium for plant growth.

19
Q

What are exotoxins?

A

Secreted and cause disease even if the prokaryotes that produce them are not present.

20
Q

What are endotoxins?

A

Released only when bacteria die and their cell walls break down.

21
Q

What is symbiosis?

A

An ecological relationship in which two species live in close contact: a larger host and a smaller symbiont.

22
Q

What is mutualism?

A

Both symbiotic organisms benefit.

23
Q

What is commensalism?

A

One organism benefits while neither helping or harming the other In any significant way.

24
Q

What is parasitism?

A

An organism (parasite) harms but does not kill its host.

25
Q

What is a pathogen?

A

Parasites that cause disease.