Week 2 Flashcards
What is the capsule?
Carbohydrates circling cell wall of bacterial cells; helps them stick to surfaces.
What are the pili?
Structures for transferring plasmids between bacterial cells. Transmit DNA between cells like bridges.
What are cilia? (Singular is a cilium)
Help unicellular organisms swim. I’m multicellular organisms, they’re sensor hairs.
What are nucleic acids?
Made up of nucleotides. Have an oxygen/carbon ring structure, with a phosphate on one end and a nitrogen base on the other. Make up double stranded/single stranded DNA. Used in information storage/interpretation and protein synthesis.
What are proteins?
Made up of amino acids. A protein is a strand/chain of amino acids folded up. They function as transporters, receptors, enzymes (enzymes build/break things down).
What are carbohydrates?
Made up of monosaccharides (simple sugars). Form chains of sugars end-to-end. They provide short term energy, and are used in the cell wall for structure/protection. Ex: starch, glucose, cellulose, glycogen.
What are lipids?
Fatty acids. Form long C-H chains. They provide long term energy storage, insulation, water regulation (ie waxy exterior of plants). They’re in the cell membrane, fat, oils, hormones.
