module one

What are the three main components of polysaccharides?

Polysaccharides are composed of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen atoms.

What is a macromolecule?

classified as a complex molecule that is composed from smaller subunits.

What are the main morphologies of bacteria?

coccus (round/spherical), bacillus (rod), vibrio (curved rod) or spirillum (spiral/corkscrew).

The lipid bilayer of the plasma membrane is composed of what

composed primarily of amphipathic phospholipids, meaning they contain a polar hydrophilic (water loving) head group and a non-polar hydrophobic (water fearing) tail region. The lipid bilayer is situated in such a way where the non-polar tail groups face inward thus orienting the polar head groups to interact with water both outside and inside of the cell.

Which group (classification) of bacteria is noted for its ability to survive under harsh conditions?

Archaea.

What are the two major types of nucleic acids and their roles?

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid). Nucleic acids are chemical molecules that carry genetic information within the cell. DNA contains a vast amount of hereditary information and is responsible for the inheritable characteristics of living organisms. RNA is responsible for deciphering the hereditary information in DNA and using it to synthesize proteins.

What is the primary difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?

Eukaryotic cells contain a nucleus, a membrane enclosed region within the cell that contains the genetic material. Prokaryotic cells do not have a nucleus and can be further classified as either Bacteria or Archaea.

What are the 4 main classifications of Eukarya?

Eukaryotic microorganisms are classified as either belonging to Animalia, Plantae, Fungi or Protista.

Microbiology is the study of what?

Microbiology is the study of microbes (microorganisms and viruses) and their biological processes.

What various functions do proteins have in a cell?

Proteins may facilitate the movement of materials in or out of a cell. Some can act as enzymes that catalyze, or speed up, biochemical processes. sometimes enable movement

What are the 4 main types of macromolecules?

Proteins, nucleic acids, lipids and polysaccharides

What are the primary cellular organelles described in this module? Be sure to know the roles of each.

Ribosomes (protein synthesis), ER (site of protein synthesis), Golgi (protein modification and distribution), lysosomes (waste disposal), mitochondria (ATP generation) and chloroplasts (plants only; site of photosynthesis).

What is the smallest biological unit of life?

a cell

What is the plasma membrane and what is it made up of?

a surrounding barrier that separates the inside of the cell from the outside surrounding environment. The plasma membrane also restricts the movement of materials either in or out of the cell, thus allowing a cells to absorb and keep what is needed while also preventing the escape of essential nutrients. The plasma membrane is composed of lipids (hydrophobic hydrocarbons).

Can viruses be classified as either prokaryotic or eukaryotic?

no