Bacterial and Viral Biology Quiz

A type of bacteria characterized by a thick peptidoglycan layer in their cell wall, making them stain purple in Gram staining.

A type of bacteria characterized by a thin peptidoglycan layer in their cell wall, covered by an outer membrane, making them stain pink in Gram staining.

Hair-like structures found on the surface of bacteria that help them attach to surfaces or other bacteria.

A special type of pili used by bacteria to transfer genetic material (DNA) to other bacteria.

A type of bacteria that thrives in extremely salty environments.

A virus that uses RNA as its genetic material, and its replication process involves reverse transcription of RNA into DNA, then integrating that DNA into the host's genome.

A type of virus that incorporates its DNA into the host's genome, potentially disrupting normal cell regulation and leading to cancer development.

The process by which a virus replicates within a host cell, using the host cell's machinery to produce new viral particles.

A process where new HIV particles assemble and exit the cell by taking a piece of the host cell's membrane with them.

A model of DNA structure proposed by Watson and Crick, describing two antiparallel strands connected by complementary base pairing (A=T, G=C), enabling information storage and replication.

The process of building a DNA molecule, which always occurs in the 5' to 3' direction, meaning new nucleotides can only be added to the 3' end of a growing strand.

The building blocks of DNA, consisting of a deoxyribose sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base (A, T, G, or C).

Short DNA segments synthesized on the lagging strand during DNA replication, created because DNA polymerase can only build in the 5' to 3' direction.

One of two identical copies of a duplicated chromosome, connected at the centromere.

Body cells that are diploid, meaning they contain two complete sets of chromosomes (2n). They reproduce mitotically.

Specialized cells involved in reproduction, containing only one set of chromosomes (n). They are also called gametes.

The process where a parent cell divides into two daughter cells with the same number of chromosomes. It is characterized by four main stages: prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase, during which the chromosomes condense, align at the center, separate, and form new nuclei, respectively.

The process of cell division that produces four daughter cells, each with half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell. It involves two successive divisions: Meiosis I and Meiosis II, each having its own four stages.

A stage in Meiosis I where homologous chromosomes separate and move towards opposite poles of the cell. Each pole ends up with a haploid set of chromosomes. Think of it as the separating of paired socks.

A stage in Meiosis I where the nuclear envelope reforms, spindle fibers disappear, and the cytoplasm divides. Two daughter cells are formed, each containing half the number of chromosomes as the original cell. Think of it as a cell being partitioned into two.

A stage in Meiosis II where the sister chromatids separate and move towards opposite poles of the cell.

The condensed form of DNA, visible during cell division. Think of it as a tightly packed rope.

When two different alleles for a trait are fully expressed in the offspring, resulting in a phenotype displaying traits from both parents simultaneously.

A cross involving two pairs of alleles on different chromosomes that are inherited independently.

The offspring exhibits a blended phenotype, with neither allele fully dominant.

A type of cross used to determine the genotype of an individual by crossing it with a homozygous recessive individual.

A cross between two homozygous parents with different alleles for the same trait, demonstrating how alleles segregate during gamete formation.

Phase of the cell cycle where DNA is replicated and histone proteins are synthesized, preparing the cell for division.

Phase of the cell cycle where protein synthesis increases, preparing the cell for mitosis. This is the final stage before cell division.

The division of the cytoplasm into two separate cells, often following mitosis.

One of Mendel's laws, stating that each organism has two alleles for each trait, and these alleles separate during gamete formation, with each gamete receiving one allele.

One of Mendel's laws, stating that alleles for different genes are distributed independently of one another during gamete formation. This means that the inheritance of one trait will not affect the inheritance of another.