Unit 1 Vocab Flashcards
microorganism
life forms too small to be seen by the eye
microbial ecology
study of how microbes affect animal, plants, and entire global ecosystems
human microbiome
environment of microbes living naturally inside humans affecting their health
DNA
genetic information
ribosomes
synthesize proteins
cytosol/cytoplasm
aqueous mixture of macromolecules, small organics, ions, and ribosomes inside cells
plasma membrane
selectively permeable layer composed of phospholipids and proteins
prokaryotes
unicellular organisms that loack a distinct nucleus and membrane-bound organelles; characterized by simple structure and genetic information in the cytoplasm
eukaryotes
organisms whose cells have a true nucleus and mombrane-bound organelles; typically have more complex structure
bacteria
single-celled microorganisms that lack distinct nucleus and mombrane-bound organelles; diverse shapes and sizes
peptidoglycan
a structural polymer consisting of sugars and amino acids that forms the rigid cell wall in bacterial cells; provides strength and shape
Gram-negative
bacteria that is resistant to gram-staining method; typically have an outer membrane and less peptidoglycan
Gram-positive
bacteria with a thick layer of peptioglycan, making them subjects of gram-staining method
archaea
group of single-celled microorganisms that, like bacteria, lack a true nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, but they differ significantly in genetic and biochemical characteristics, often thriving in extreme environments.
eukarya
one of the three domains of life, encompassing organisms with complex, membrane-bound organelles and a true nucleus in their cells, including plants, animals, fungi, and protists.
fungi
can be single or multicellular eukaryotes
chitin and glucan
carbohydrates that make up cell walls of fungi
zoosporic fungi
free living, often motile
yeasts fungi
unicellular; include human microbiota, primary pathogens, and opportunistic pathogens; some reproduce by budding; some reproduce by spore formation
dimorphic fungi
have yeast-like and mold-like forms; include oppotunistic pathogens
mold fungi
multicellular
mushroom fungi
multicellular with macroscopic fruiting bodies
acellular entities
things not composed of cells
viruses
acellular; obligate parasites that only replicate within host cells; include DNA or RNA and a protein coat called a capsid