Microbes Flashcards Quiz

Microbes and Immunology Terms

• Capsid: Protective protein coat of a virus, facilitating entry into host cells.
• White Blood Cells: Cells circulating in blood, crucial for defending against infections.
• Parasite: Organisms that harm their hosts by living on or within them.
• Acquired Immunity: Specific immune response involving antibodies developed after exposure to pathogens.
• Outbreak: Sudden surge in disease incidence, indicating a public health concern.
• Immune System: Body's defense network against pathogens, including innate and adaptive responses.
• Antibiotics: Chemical agents effective against bacterial infections, not effective against viruses.
• Virus: Non-living infectious agents that require a host to replicate.
• Plasmid: Circular DNA segment, often found in bacteria, important for genetic engineering.
• Vaccine: Preparation of weakened/killed pathogens that stimulates an immune response.
• Flagella: Whip-like structures enabling motility in bacteria.
• Bacteriophage: Viruses specifically targeting and infecting bacterial cells.
• Archaebacteria: Domain containing single-celled microorganisms distinct from true bacteria.
• Prokaryote: Organisms lacking membrane-bound organelles, includes bacteria and archaea.
• Antigen: Substances that trigger an immune response, recognized by antibodies.
• Pathogenic: Refers to bacteria that cause diseases in hosts.
• Innate Immunity: Non-specific defense mechanisms including physical barriers and general immune responses.
• Antibody: Proteins produced in response to specific antigens, crucial for immune defense.
• Bacteria: Microscopic single-celled organisms, can be beneficial or harmful to ecosystems.

Genetics and Heredity Terms

• Host: An organism that supports a parasite or symbiont.
• Genetics: Study of heredity and variations in organisms.
• Gene: DNA segment coding for proteins, determining specific traits.
• Allele: Different forms of a gene, contributing to genetic diversity.
• Gamete: Specialized reproductive cells; sperm and egg.
• Homozygous: Organisms with two identical alleles for a trait.
• Heterozygous: Organisms with two different alleles for a trait.
• Phenotype: Observable traits of an organism influenced by genotype and environment.
• Genotype: The genetic constitution of an organism.
• Punnett Square: Tool for predicting genetic combinations from a cross.
• Independent Assortment: Genes segregate independently during gamete formation.
• Incomplete Dominance: A form of inheritance where alleles blend traits in the phenotype.
• Codominance: Both alleles contribute equally to the phenotype.
• Meiosis: Cell division reducing chromosome number, critical for gamete formation.
• Transformation: Genetic alteration of a bacterial cell by uptake of foreign DNA.

Molecular Biology and Ecology Terms

• Nucleotide: Basic building block of nucleic acids, containing sugar, phosphate, and base.
• Base Pairing: Specific pairing of nucleotides in DNA; A-T and G-C.
• DNA Polymerase: Enzyme that synthesizes new DNA strands during replication.
• Replication: Process of copying DNA chromosomes before cell division.
• Transcription: Synthesis of RNA from a DNA template.
• Translation: Synthesis of proteins based on mRNA sequence.
• Messenger RNA (mRNA): Carries genetic information from DNA for protein synthesis.
• Transfer RNA (tRNA): Brings amino acids to ribosomes during protein assembly.
• Codon: Triplet of nucleotides in mRNA that specifies an amino acid.
• Anticodon: tRNA sequence that pairs with mRNA codon, aiding in translation.
• RNA Polymerase: Enzyme that synthesizes RNA from a DNA template during transcription.
• Mutation: DNA alteration leading to changes in genetic information.
• CRISPR: Gene-editing technology enabling precise modifications in DNA.
• Ecology: Study of organism interactions and their environment.
• Biosphere: Regions of Earth capable of supporting life, encompassing land, water, and air.
• Autotroph: Organisms capable of producing their own food from inorganic materials.
• Heterotroph: Organisms obtaining energy by consuming other organisms.
• Herbivore: Organisms that feed solely on plant material.
• Omnivore: Organisms that consume both plants and animals.
• Classification: Grouping organisms based on shared characteristics.
• Taxonomy: Science of classifying organisms and naming species.
• Dichotomous Key: Identification tool using a series of choices based on characteristics.
• Binomial Nomenclature: Two-part scientific naming system for species.