Microbiology - Chapter 11 Terms
cyanobacteria
Gram-negative oxygenic phototrophs; genetically related to chloroplasts
heterocysts
Specialized non-photosynthetic cells of cyanobacteria within nitrogen fixation occurs
bioluminescence
Species that can emit light
ecophysiology
The study of bacterial adaptations
obligate intracellular parasites
They cannot reproduce outside a host cell
Ti plasmid
Tumor inducing plasmid
fruiting bodies
When nutrients are exhausted, the cells begin to congregate and then pile up to form a complex structure
prosthecate bacteria
A diverse group of Gram-negative bacteria that have projections called prosthecae, which are extensions of the cytoplasm and cell wall
spirochetes
A group of Gram-negative bacteria with a unique motility mechanism that allows them to move through thick, viscous environments such as mud
rhizobia
A group of Gram-negative rod-shaped bacteria that often fix nitrogen and form intimate relationships with legumes (plants that bear seeds in pods)
myxobacteria
A group of aerobic Gram-negative rods that have a unique developmental cycle as well as a resting stage
endoflagella
An axial filament, contained within the periplasm
acid-fast
An organism retains the primary stain in the acid-fast staining procedure
methanogens
Archaea that obtain energy by oxidizing hydrogen gas; using carbon dioxide as a terminal electron acceptor, thereby generating methane
nitrogen fixation
Conversion of nitrogen gas to ammonia
anoxic
Devoid of O2
coliforms
Faculative, non-spore-forming Gram-negative rods that ferment lactose, producing acid and gas within 48 hours at 35 degrees Celsius; most reside in the intestine, so they are used as indicators of fecal pollution
myxobacteria
Gram-negative bacteria that congregate to form complex structures called fruiting bodies
prosthecate bacteria
Gram-negative bacteria that have extensions projecting from their cells, thereby increasing their surface area
sulfur-oxidizing bacteria
Gram-negative bacteria that obtain energy by oxidizing elemental sulfur and reduced sulfur compounds, generating sulfuric acid
nitrifiers
Gram-negative bacteria that obtain energy by oxidizing inorganic nitrogen compounds such as ammonia or nitrate
purple bacteria
Gram-negative organisms that appear red, orange, or purple due to their light-harvesting pigments
green bacteria
Gram-negative organisms that are typically green or brownish in color
enterics / enteronacteria
Gram-negative rods of the family Enterobacteriaeceae. Most reside in the internal tract of humans and other animals
lactic acid bacteria
Gram-positive bacteria that generate lactic acid as a major end product of their fermentative metabolism
coryneforms / diphtheroids
Gram-positive cells that are club-shaped and arranged to form V shapes and palisades; resembles the typical microscopic morphology of Corynebacterium species
spirochetes
Long helical bacteria that have flexible walls and endoflagella
primary produces
Organisms that convert CO2 into organic compounds; by doing so, they sustain other life forms, including humans
chemotrophs
Organisms that harvest energy by oxidizing chemicals
chemolithotrophs
Organisms that harvest energy by oxidizing inorganic chemicals
chemoorganotrophs
Organisms that harvest energy by oxidizing organic chemicals
anoxygenic phototrophs
Photosynthetic organisms that do not produce O2
oxygenic phototrophs
Photosynthetic organisms that produce O2
