What is Microbiology? Flashcards
Lectures 1-5
What is microbiology?
Study of organisms too small to be seen by the naked eye.
Which microorganisms are visible to the naked eye?
Algae, Fungi
Which microorganisms are multicellular?
Myxobacteria, slime mold
Which technique(s) can be used to define microbiology?
Culture media for isolation and growth of organisms in pure culture
Biochemical to study cell components
Molecular and genetic techniques
What are the 5 reasons that explain why microbiology is important?
- Microbes are the oldest form of life
- Largest mass of living material on Earth
- Carry out major processes for biogeochemical cycles
- Can live in places unsuitable for other organisms
- Other life forms require microbes to survive.
What attribute(s) do all cells have in common?
Cytoplasmic membrane
Cytoplasm
Ribosomes
What is the difference between genetic material and a genome?
Cells store their DNA as genetic material, which is then divided into functional units of genes. A genome is a cell’s full compliment of genes.
What is the difference between chromosomes and plasmids?
Chromosomes are genetic elements carrying genes essential to cellular function. Plasmids are a piece of DNA carrying non-essential genes.
What are the different characteristic(s) of eukaryotes?
Membrane bound nucleus
Membrane bound organelles
Complex internal organization
Division by mitosis and meiosis
Eukaryotes include protists. What are protists? What are three examples of protists?
Protists are unicellular or multi-cellular without differentiation into tissues. Three examples are: Protozoa– animal-like microorganisms
Algae– photosynthetic plant-like microorganisms
Slime molds and water molds– filamentous
Eukaryotes include fungi. What are fungi? What are three examples of fungi?
Fungi are unicellular, filamentous or multicellular. Three examples are:
yeasts
molds
mushrooms
What are the characteristic(s) of prokaryotes?
No membrane bound nucleus or organelles Generally smaller (approx 1 µm diameter) Simple internal structure Divide by binary fission Most are unicellular
Prokaryotes include bacteria. What are some differences between bacteria and other prokaryotes?
Genetically diverse
Extremely diverse metabolic styles
Includes both pathogens and non-pathogens
Prokaryotes include archaea. What are some differences between archaea and other prokaryotes?
Genetically and biochemically distinct from bacteria Also have diverse metabolism
Never pathogenic
Most famous for living in extreme environments
What are the characteristic(s) of viruses?
Acellular infectious particles
Extremely small
Obligate intracellular parasites
Lack independent metabolism
True or False: Viruses can be classified with other microbes due to their specific ribosomes and ribosomal DNA.
False: Viruses cannot be classified with other microbes because they contain no ribosomes and no ribosomal DNA.
When did the first anaerobic life appear?
3.8 to 3.9 billion years ago.
When did the first photosynthetic bacteria oxygenate the Earth?
2 billion years ago.
When did the first plants and animal appear?
0.5 billion years ago.
What classification of ribosomes do prokaryotes have? What small subunit (SSU) rRNA genes are they classified by?
70S ribosomes
16S SSU rRNA