EXAM 1 REVIEW Flashcards
specialized area of biology that deals with living things ordinarily too small to be seen without magnification
microbiology
invisible to the naked eye
microscopic
a living thing ordinarily too small to be seen without magnification; an organism of microscopic size
microorganisms
microorganism
microbes
category of prokaryotes w/ peptidoglycan in their cell walls and circular chromosome(s). This group of small cells is widely distributed in the earth’s habitats.
bacteria
microscopic, acellular agent composed of nucleic acid surrounded by a protein coat
viruses
a group of single-celled, eukaryotic organisms
protozoa
term that designates all parasitic worms
helminths
macroscopic and microscopic heterotrophic eukaryotic organisms that can be uni- or multicellular
fungi
a member of the domain Eukarya whose cells have a well-defined nucleus and membrane-bound organelles; includes plants, animals, fungi, protozoa, and algae
eukaryote
a single-celled organism that does not have special structures such as a nucleus or membrane-bound organelles; includes bacteria and archaea
prokaryote
accumulation of changes that occur in organisms as they adapt to their environments
evolution
evidence cited to explain how evolution occurs
theory of evolution
process occurring in plants, algae, and some bacteria that traps the sun’s energy and converts it to ATP in the cell. This energy is used to fix CO2 into organic compounds.
photosynthesis
breakdown of dead matter and wastes into simple compounds that can be directed back into the natural cycle of living things
decomposition
field involving deliberate alteration (recombination) of the genomes of microbes, plants , and animals though special technological processes
genetic engineering
technology aka genetic engineering; deliberately modifies the genetic structure of an organism to create novel products, microbes, animals, plants and viruses
recombinant DNA technology
decomposition of harmful chemicals by microbes or consortia of microbes
bioremediation
any agent that causes diseases; usually a virus, bacterium, fungus, protozoan, or helminth
pathogens
prokaryotic single celled organisms of primitive origin that have unusual anatomy, physiology, and genetics and live in harsh habitats
archaea
one of the three domains of living organisms, as proposed by Woese; contains all eukaryotic organisms
eukarya
an elementary virus particle in its complete morphological and thus infectious form; consists of nucleic acid core surrounded by a capsid, which can be enclosed in an envelope
virion
an organism that lives on or within another organism (the host), from which it obtains nutrients and enjoys protection; produces some degree of harm in the host
parasites
small component of eukaryotic cells that is bounded by a membrane and specialized in function
organelles