Intro microbiology concepts covering bacteria, viruses, fungi, and basic lab techniques.
34 cards · basic cards · AI-written, checked twice. Edit anything.
- What are the two main domains of prokaryotes?
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Bacteria and Archaea- Define a gram-positive bacterium based on cell wall staining.
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A bacterium that retains purple dye during gram staining due to thick peptidoglycan layer- What is the primary structural component of bacterial cell walls?
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Peptidoglycan- What is the function of bacterial flagella?
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Locomotion and movement through liquid environments- Name the three basic shapes of bacteria.
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Cocci (spherical), bacilli (rod-shaped), and spirilla (spiral-shaped)- What is a bacterial plasmid?
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A small, circular DNA molecule found in bacteria, separate from the chromosome- What is the basic structure of a virus?
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Genetic material (DNA or RNA) surrounded by a protein coat called a capsid- Are viruses considered living organisms?
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No, they lack the ability to reproduce independently and must use host cells- What is the envelope of an enveloped virus?
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A lipid membrane derived from the host cell, surrounding the capsid- Define lytic infection in viruses.
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A viral infection cycle where the virus reproduces inside the host cell and bursts the cell, killing it- What is lysogeny?
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A viral infection where viral DNA integrates into the host chromosome and replicates with it- Name three common types of fungi.
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Yeasts, molds, and mushrooms- What is a hypha in fungi?
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A long, thin filament that makes up the body of a fungus (plural: hyphae)- What is the purpose of bacterial endospores?
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To allow bacteria to survive harsh conditions like heat, drying, and chemicals- What is osmosis in the context of microbiology?
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The movement of water across a semipermeable membrane from an area of high water concentration to low water concentration
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