Unit 1 Flash Cards (Lecture + Book)
(228 cards)
What are the 3 common traits shared between most bacteria?
1) Thick, complex outer envelope
2) Compact genome - not a lot of non-coding genes/DNA
3) Tightly coordinated functions - parts of the cells work together very closely and mechanistically.
What is a main similarity of archaea and bacteria?
They are both prokaryotes (cells do not contain a membrane-bound nucleus.)
What is a main trait of eukaryotic cells?
Extensive membrane-bound organelles
What is a trait of the plasma membrane of most bacteria like E.coli?
It has two membranes: inner and outer
What is between the inner and outer cell membranes?
the cell wall, which has a chain of sugars and peptides: peptidoglycan
What is a gram-negative bacterium?
A type of bacteria that is not stained by the crystal violet stain.
What is the peri plasm?
the space surrounding gram-negative bacteria’s cell wall that . it contains water, nutrient-binding molecules, and secretion machinery
What constitutes the outer wall of a gram-negative bacteria?
Phospholipids and lipopolysaccharides
What are lipopolysaccharides?
A type of lipids attached to long sugar chains. This layer maybe surrounded by thick capsules.
What is a benefit to the capsules that may surround LPS layers?
The layer is slippery and prevents phagocytosis by macrophages.
What are flagella?
external helical proteins used to propel bacteria around.
What do the chromosomes attach to in bacteria?
the cell membrane/envelope
What is a nucleoid?
the circular, coiled formation of chromosomes. not contained in a membrane.
What are the common chemical components shared between all cells?
1) water
2) essential ions
3) small organic molecules
4) large macromolecular structures
What is the point of microbes having a high content of nucleic acids?
to maximize reproduction of its chromosomes and minimized cell resources
Why can’t humans digest bacteria?
because we do not have the enzymes to digest the uric acid from the breakdown of the high content of nucleic acids.
What is the proteome?
proteins expressed in a cell under certain conditions.
What is cell fractionation?
The separation of cellular components.
What has microscopy revealed?
1) humans consist and are covered in microbes
2) we live in a world that is filled with microbes and their usefulness
3) bacteria are beautiful
What is the smallest resolution of our eyes?
~0.1mm
What is resolution?
The smallest distance by which two objects can be separated and still be distinguished.
What is detection?
ability to determine the presence of an object. Different from resolution.
What is magnification?
increase in the size of an image to resolve smaller separations between objects
T/F: not all bacteria are microscopic.
true