Microbiology Chapter 11 Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What are the six basic shapes of prokaryotic cells?

Coccus, Bacillus, Vibrios, Coccobacillus, Spirilla spiral, Spirochetes spiral

What shape describes a coccus?

Roughly spherical

What shape describes a bacillus?

Rod-shaped

What shape does vibrios describe?

Slightly rod shaped Signup and view all the answers

What does coccobacillus refer to?

Cells that are intermediate in shape between cocci and bacilli Signup and view all the answers

What are spirilla spiral?

Stiff spiral shaped prokaryotes Signup and view all the answers

What are spirochetes spiral?

Flexible spiral shaped prokaryotes Signup and view all the answers

What are the three common types of reproduction in prokaryotes?

Binary fission, Snapping, Budding Signup and view all the answers

What does pleomorphic prokaryotes mean?

Prokaryotes that vary in shape and size Signup and view all the answers

What are endospores?

Stable resting stages that barely metabolize Signup and view all the answers

What is binary fission?

The parental cell disappears with the formation of progeny Signup and view all the answers

What is snapping division?

A type of binary fission; the parent cells outer wall tears apart with a snapping movement to create the daughter cells Signup and view all the answers

What are spores in relation to prokaryotes?

Can develop into clones of the original organism Signup and view all the answers

What is budding in prokaryotes?

An outgrowth of the original cell received a copy of the genetic material, enlarged, and is then cut off from the parent cell Signup and view all the answers

What does viviparity mean in microbiology?

The organism gives birth to live offspring that emerge from the body of the dead mother cell Signup and view all the answers

What are bacterial arrangements?

A function of the plane of fission and whether daughter cells remain attached Signup and view all the answers

What are the five arrangements of prokaryotes?

Diplococci, Streptococci, Tetrads, Sarcinae, Staphylococci Signup and view all the answers

What is diplococci?

Pairs of cocci Signup and view all the answers

What are streptococci?

Long chains Signup and view all the answers

What are tetrads?

Cocci in a square Signup and view all the answers

What are sarcinae?

Cuboidal packets Signup and view all the answers

What are staphylococci?

Irregular clusters Signup and view all the answers

What is the general purpose of Bergey's Manual of Systematic Bacteriology?

Classifies prokaryotes into 2 phyla in archaea and 24 phyla in bacteria Signup and view all the answers

What are extremophiles?

Microbes that require extreme conditions of temperature, pH, and/or salinity to survive Signup and view all the answers

What are thermophiles?

Thrive at temperatures over 45 degrees Celsius Signup and view all the answers

What are hyperthermophiles?

Live over 80 degrees Celsius Signup and view all the answers

What are halophiles?

Depend on high concentrations of salt to keep their cell walls intact Signup and view all the answers

What are methanogens?

Largest group of archaea that converts carbon dioxide, hydrogen gas, and organic acids to methane gas Signup and view all the answers

What are four significant roles played by methanogens in the environment?

Converts organic wastes in sediments to methane, primary sources of environmental methane, produced 10 trillion tons of methane buried in mud, have useful industrial applications Signup and view all the answers

Why are deeply branching bacteria named so?

Because their rRNA sequence and growth characteristics lead scientists to conclude that these organisms are similar to the earliest bacteria Signup and view all the answers

Where can you find deeply branching bacteria?

Live in hot, acidic, and anaerobic environments, often with intense exposure to sun Signup and view all the answers

What are cyanobacteria?

Phototrophs that vary greatly in size, shape, arrangement, and mode of reproduction Signup and view all the answers

What is nitrogen fixation?

Cyanobacteria reduce atmospheric N2 to NH3 Signup and view all the answers

What are heterocysts?

When many cyanobacteria fix nitrogen in thick-walled cells Signup and view all the answers

What are clostridia?

Rod-shaped, obligate anaerobe, many of which form endospores Signup and view all the answers

What is mycoplasmas?

Facultative or obligate anaerobes, lack cell walls, smallest free-living cells, colonize mucous membranes of the respiratory and urinary tracts of animals Signup and view all the answers

What diseases does clostridium cause?

Gangrene, tetanus, botulism, and diarrhea Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Basic Shapes of Prokaryotic Cells

Shapes include coccus (spherical), bacillus (rod-shaped), vibrios (slightly rod-shaped), coccobacillus (intermediate shape), spirilla (stiff spiral), and spirochetes (flexible spiral).

Prokaryotic Reproduction

Common methods: binary fission (parent cell disappears), snapping division (outer wall tears apart), and budding (outgrowth forms a new cell).

Cell and Spore Characteristics

Endospores are stable resting stages with minimal metabolism.
Pleomorphic prokaryotes exhibit varying shapes and sizes.
Spores can develop into clones of the original organism.

Bacterial Arrangements

Arrangements depend on fission plane and daughter cell attachment.
Types: diplococci (pairs), streptococci (chains), tetrads (squares), sarcinae (cuboidal packets), and staphylococci (clusters).

Bergey's Manual of Systematic Bacteriology

Classifies prokaryotes into two phyla in Archaea and 24 phyla in Bacteria.

Extremophiles

Microbes requiring extreme conditions for survival, such as high or low temperatures and salinity.

Thermophiles and Hyperthermophiles

Thermophiles thrive above 45°C and can tolerate low pH.
Hyperthermophiles live at temperatures above 80°C.

Halophiles and Methanogens

Halophiles need high salt concentrations for cell wall integrity.
Methanogens convert carbon dioxide and hydrogen gas into methane, playing significant roles in organic waste conversion, methane production, and industrial applications.

Deeply Branching Bacteria

Named for growth characteristics and rRNA sequence, indicating similarity to early bacteria; thrive in extreme environments.

Cyanobacteria

Diverse photoautotrophs with varying sizes and reproduction modes; capable of nitrogen fixation through heterocysts.

Clostridia and Mycoplasmas

Clostridia are rod-shaped, anaerobic, and can form endospores; responsible for diseases like gangrene and botulism.
Mycoplasmas are the smallest free-living cells, lack cell walls, and inhabit animal mucous membranes.

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Test your knowledge on the basic shapes of prokaryotic cells with these flashcards. This quiz covers terms such as cocci, bacilli, and vibrios, helping you reinforce your understanding of microbiological concepts. Perfect for students studying microbiology, these cards provide an engaging way to learn key definitions.