Week 3 Bacterial Physiology Flashcards
a method of asexual reproduction involving halving of the nucleus and cytoplasm of the cell followed by the development of each half into a new individual cell; process is quick and produces multiple generations of a single bacterial cell within a brief period of time
binary fission
a visible group of bacteria growing on a solid medium, presumably arising from a single microorganism
bacterial colony
self-nourishing bacteria; able to grow without the presence of organic compounds; obtain nutrition from carbon in carbon dioxide
autotrophic bacteria
organisms that must obtain their nourishment from complex organic matter; several different types with varying requirements
heterotrophic bacteria
an organism that can survive only on dead or decaying organic matter
strict (obligate) saprophyte
an organism that is completely dependent on its living host for survival
strict (obligate) parasite
an organism that prefers living organic matter as a source of nutrition but can adapt to the use of dead organic matter under certain conditions
facultative saprophyte
an organism that prefers dead organic matter as a source of nutrition but can adapt to the use of living organic matter under certain conditions
facultative parasite
a microbe that can live only in the presence of free oxygen
strict (obligate) aerobe
a microbe that can survive only in the absence of free oxygen
strict (obligate) anaerobe
requiring very little free oxygen; as found with certain bacteria
microaerophilic
a microorganism that prefers an environment devoid of oxygen but has adapted so that it can live and grow in the presence of oxygen
facultative aerobe
an organism that prefers the presence of oxygen but is capable of living and growing in its absence
facultative anaerobe
requirements for bacterial growth
food, oxygen, moisture, temperature, pH, light, osmotic pressure
temperature at which organisms grow best
optimum temperature
temperature below which bacterial growth will not take place
minimum temperature
temperature above which bacterial growth will not take place
maximum temperature
bacteria that prefer cold, thriving at temperatures between 0°C and 25°C
psychrophile
bacteria that prefer moderate temperatures and develop best at temperatures between 25°C and 40°C
mesophile
bacteria that thrive best at high temperatures, between 40°C and 70°C
thermophile
pressure that develops when two solutions of different concentrations are separated by a semipermeable membrane
osmotic pressure
a relationship in which organisms of different species live in close nutritional relationships
symbiosis
a relationship in which organisms of two different species live in close association to the mutual benefit of each
mutualism
the symbiotic relationship of two organisms of different species in which one gains some benefit such as protection or nourishment, and the other is not harmed or benefited
commensalism
a symbiotic relationship between two organisms in which one is harmed and the other benefits
parasitism
organisms that are free-living; relationships are not required for survival
non-symbiotic
the relationship between two or more microorganisms of different species in which they grow better together but can survive alone
synergism
mutual opposition or contrary action; the inhibition of one microorganism by another
antagonism
