Week 2 Bacterial Anatomy Flashcards
study of the different shapes, sizes, and arrangements of bacteria
morphology
the type of bacteria that is spherical or round in form
coccus (pl. cocci)
spherical bacteria that occur in pairs
diplococci
a genus of [gram-positive, nonmotile, opportunistic] bacteria which tend to aggregate in irregular, grape-like clusters
staphylococci
spherical-shaped bacteria occurring in chains
streptococci
rod-shaped bacteria
bacillus (pl. bacilli)
a pair of rod-shaped bacteria, linked end to end
diplobacilli
rod-shaped bacteria occurring in chains
streptobacilli
a genus of spiral bacteria which are curved or bent rods that resemble commas
Vibrio
a genus of spiral bacteria having a corkscrew shape with a rigid cell wall
Spirillum (pl. spirilla)
spiral-shaped bacteria having a flexible cell wall
spirochete
semirigid structure that provides the cell with its shape
cell wall
plasma membrane that lines the inside of the cell wall of many bacteria
cell membrane
material inside the cell (80% water containing enzymes, carbohydrates, and lipids that together creates a thick fluid)
•eukaryotic generally refers to the functional organelles in the cell
•prokaryotic generally refers to the internal matrix of the cell
cytoplasm
folded area of the plasma membrane that assists in DNA replication
mesosome
particle that assists in protein synthesis
ribosome
area containing the bacterial chromosome and the plasmids
nuclear body
a coating that surrounds some bacterial cells; a loose gel-like structure that, in pathogenic bacteria, helps to protect against phagocytosis
-organized and firmly attached externally to the cell wall
-allows the cell to be more resistant and to adhere to surfaces
capsule
sticky coating surrounding the cell wall in prokaryotic cells
glycocalyx
a thick-walled body produced by a bacterium to enable it to survive unfavorable environmental conditions •highly resistant casing that can allow the bacteria inside to survive for thousands of years
•resistant to disinfectants
endospore
the state occurring after an endospore germinates
-may at any time form a new endospore
-can grow and reproduce
vegetative bacteria
bacteria forming an endospore
sporulating bacteria
long whip-like appendages that propel an organism
flagella
short, thin attachments that allow organisms to adhere to surfaces
•usually only one or two attached to a cell
•often allow bacteria to adhere to each other
pili
