Microbiology Chapter 1: Introduction to Microbes and Their Building Blocks

Eukaryotic cell

A cell that differs from a prokaryotic cell chiefly by having a nuclear membrane (a well-defined nucleus), membrane-bound subcellular organelles, and mitotic cell division.

Genetic engineering

A field involving deliberate alterations (recombinations) of the genomes of microbes, plants, and animals through special technological processes.

Microorganism

A living thing ordinarily too small to be seen without magnification; an organism of microscopic size.

Microbiology

A specialized area of biology that deals with living things ordinarily too small to be seen without magnification, including bacteria, archaea, fungi, protozoa, and viruses.

Recombinant DNA technology

A technology, also known as genetic engineering, that deliberately modifies the genetic structure of an organism to create novel products, microbes, animals, plants, and viruses.

Pathogen

Any agent (usually a virus, bacterium, fungus, protozoan, or helminth) that causes disease.

Disease

Any deviation from health, as when the effects of microbial infection damage or disrupt tissues and organs.

Bacteria

Category of prokaryotes with peptidoglycan in their cell walls and circular chromosome(s). This group of small cells is widely distributed in the earth's habitats.

Bioremediation

Decomposition of harmful chemicals by microbes or consortia of microbes.

Domain

In the levels of classification, the broadest general category to which an organism is assigned. Members of a domain share only one or a few general characteristics.

Species

In the levels of classification, the most specific level of organization.

Genus

In the levels of classification, the second most specific level.

Microscopic

Invisible to the naked eye.

Ubiquitous

Present everywhere at the same time

Binomial system

Scientific method of assigning names to organisms that employs two names to identify every organism—genus name plus species name.

Prokaryotic cell

Small cells, lacking special structures such as a nucleus and organelles.

Taxonomy

The formal system for organizing, classifying, and naming living things.

Biotechnology

The intentional use by humans of living organisms or their products to accomplish a goal related to health or the environment.

Infectious disease

The stage of damage or toxicity in the body caused by an infectious agent.