Ch 27: Prokaryotes

Question 1

prokaryote

Answer 1

a single-celled organism whose cell lacks a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles

Question 2

plasma membrane

Answer 2

separates what’s inside the
cell from what’s outside of the cell

the barrier between an organism and its environment, made of a phospholipid bilayer and the many different proteins floating around within it

the membrane lets some things through and prevents others, so that the organism can take in food and energy and expel waste

Question 3

cell wall

Answer 3

a rigid structure around the cell made of peptidoglycan

Question 4

peptidoglycan

Answer 4

a polymer of sugars and amino acids that creates a mesh-like layer around the cell

Question 5

cytoplasm

Answer 5

the interior of the cell (generally)

Question 6

cytosol

Answer 6

the actual a jelly-like fluid substance specifically present within the cytoplasm where all the cellular components float around

Question 7

nucleoid

Answer 7

the region where the genetic information—a chromosome or set of chromosomes—for a prokaryotic cell can be found

Question 8

ribosomes

Answer 8

complex macromolecules within the cell—made of RNA and proteins—that perform biological protein synthesis

Question 9

cell surface area::volume ratio

Answer 9

should be high to maximize exchange with the surroundings while minimizing the volume inside that has to be serviced

this ratio shrinks as cells get bigger

Question 10

What determines cell size?

Answer 10

metabolic needs

Question 11

What type of organisms are Archaea and Bacteria?

Answer 11

Prokaryotic, unicellular

Question 12

How are Archaea related to Eukarya?

Answer 12

More closely related to Eukarya than to Bacteria

Question 13

What allows Archaea to live in extreme environments?

Answer 13

Unique membrane lipids

Question 14

Name three types of extremophiles.

Answer 14

• Halophiles
• Acidophiles
• Hyperthermophiles

Question 15

What is the temperature at which Methanopyrus grows?

Answer 15

98°C

Question 16

What are the characteristics of Firmicutes?

Answer 16

Diverse Gram-positive bacteria, some produce endospores

Question 17

What type of bacteria are Chlamydiae?

Answer 17

Obligate intracellular parasites

Question 18

What is unique about Planctomycetes?

Answer 18

Reproduce by budding, lack peptidoglycan in cell walls

Question 19

What is the shape of Spirochaetes?

Answer 19

Corkscrew-shaped

Question 20

What notable feature do Actinobacteria have?

Answer 20

Produce antibiotics and branched filaments

Question 21

What do Cyanobacteria produce during photosynthesis?

Answer 21

Oxygen

Question 22

What are the two main types of horizontal gene transfer?

Answer 22

• Transformation
• Conjugation
• Transduction

Question 23

What is the function of pili in bacteria?

Answer 23

Attachment and conjugation

Question 24

What is the primary method of asexual reproduction in bacteria?

Answer 24

Binary fission

Question 25

What is the function of glycocalyx (capsule)?

Answer 25

Protection, evade host defenses, hold colony together

Question 26

What distinguishes Gram-positive bacteria from Gram-negative bacteria?

Answer 26

Gram-positive have a thick peptidoglycan layer, Gram-negative have a thin layer and outer envelope

Question 27

What are the five major shapes of bacteria?

Answer 27

* Cocci * Bacilli * Vibrios * Spirochaetes * Spirilli

Question 28

What is an akinete?

Answer 28

A dormant structure in cyanobacteria that survives harsh conditions

Question 29

What are the two main types of autotrophs?

Answer 29

* Photoautotrophs * Chemoautotrophs

Question 30

Define obligate aerobes.

Answer 30

Organisms that require oxygen

Question 31

What role do decomposers play in the ecosystem?

Answer 31

Break down dead organisms to release minerals for reuse

Question 32

What are Koch's postulates used for?

Answer 32

To determine if an organism is a pathogen

Question 33

What is bioremediation?

Answer 33

Use of microbes to reduce harmful materials in the environment

Question 34

Fill in the blank: ____ are organisms that obtain organic compounds from living hosts.

Answer 34

[Pathogens]

Question 35

What is biotechnology?

Answer 35

The genetic modification of bacteria genomes to produce desired chemicals. ## Footnote Biotechnology has wide applications in various industries.

Question 36

What are some products made using bacteria in the chemical industry?

Answer 36

Products include: * Enzymes * Vitamins * Insulin * Vaccines * Antibiotics ## Footnote Bacteria are grown in large vats for the production of these substances.

Question 37

What is bioremediation?

Answer 37

The use of microbes to reduce levels of harmful materials in the environment. ## Footnote This can be applied to wastewater, industrial discharges, and pollution.

Question 38

True or False: Bacteria are used to make food like yogurt and cheese.

Answer 38

True ## Footnote Bacteria play a crucial role in the fermentation process for these foods.

Question 39

Fill in the blank: The use of __________ is to reduce levels of harmful materials in the environment.

Answer 39

[bioremediation]

Question 40

List some applications of biotechnology in the food industry.

Answer 40

Applications include: * Production of yogurt * Production of cheese ## Footnote These applications rely on the fermentation capabilities of bacteria.