Microbiology Quiz on Phages and Classification

Plant Systematics

• Plant systematics is the scientific study of the kinds and diversity of plants, and the relationships between them through time.
• It considers both the past and present of the organism and deals with their evolutionary studies.
• Systematics encompasses taxonomy and evolution.

Introduction

• Living things can be categorized into living and non-living things.
• Living things breathe, eat, grow, move, reproduce, and have senses, while non-living things do not have these characteristics.
• The study of living things is called Biology.
• The person who studies biology is called a biologist.
• Biology is derived from Greek words bios (life) and logos (study of).

The Cell

• A cell is the smallest, basic unit of life responsible for all life's processes.
• Robert Hooke discovered cells in 1665.
• All living things are made up of one or more cells.
• Cells are the basic structural, functional, and biological units of all living things.
• Every action and reaction within an organism takes place at the cellular level
• Cells contain cytoplasm, a fluid which contains biomolecules like proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids.
• Cellular structures (organelles) are suspended in the cytoplasm.

The seven characteristics of Living Things

• Movement - Animals move to find food and keep away from predators; plants move to face the light.
• Reproduction – The ability to produce offspring to keep the species in existence.
• Sensitivity - Responding and reacting to the environment.
• Nutrition – Animals need food for respiration, plants need minerals from the soil.
• Excretion - Getting rid of waste.
• Respiration - Turning food into energy.
• Growth - Growing larger and stronger → becoming adult size.

Branches of Biology

• Biophysics: Deals with biological problems or principles by applying physics.
• Biogeography: The study of the distribution of species and ecosystems in geographic space and through geological time.
• Biomathematics: Deals with biological systems using mathematical and statistical techniques and modeling biological phenomena.
• Bioengineering: Applications of engineering concepts and techniques to biological systems and processes.
• Molecular Biology: Focuses on the structure, function, and interactions of biomolecules.
• Biochemistry: The study of the chemical processes within and relating to living organisms.
• Physiology: Study of an organism's functions, or the functions of organs and organ systems.
• Taxonomy: Classifying living organisms based on shared characteristics and evolutionary relationships.
• Microbiology: Study of microorganisms (bacteria, fungi).
• Cytology: The study of cells .
• Genetics: The study of genes, heredity, and variation in living organisms.
• Ecology: Study of the relationships between living organisms and their environment.

Systematics

• Systematics is the scientific study of diversity of organisms and their evolutionary relationships across time. This includes the relationships between organisms – past and present.
• It covers the classification, distribution, evolution, and the characteristics of organisms.
• The term "systematics" is sometimes used synonymously with taxonomy.
  • Taxonomy includes identification, classification, and the naming of organisms.

Scientific Nomenclature

• A system of assigning names to organisms that is consistent and agreed upon internationally. Prevents confusion with common names.

Binomial Nomenclature

• A two-part naming system (genus species) used to accurately name organisms.
• Each organism is given two Latin or Greek names.
• The first name is the genus, always capitalized.
• The second name refers to the species; it is not capitalized.

Classification

• Science sorts and groups living things to show relationships.
• It makes the study of such a rich diversity easier.

Hierarchical Classification

• This is a system of classifying organisms into levels based on shared traits/characteristics and evolutionary relationships.
• The levels are Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species.
• This hierarchical system sorts and groups entities to facilitate the study process.

The Cell: Prokaryotes vs Eukaryotes

• Prokaryotes: Cells lack a membrane-enclosed nucleus.
• Eukaryotes: Cells have a membrane-enclosed nucleus.

Endosymbiotic Theory

• Mitochondria and chloroplasts evolved from prokaryotic cells that were engulfed by larger cells.

The Five Kingdom System

• This is one of the ways scientist classify living organisms.

Archaebacteria

• One of the ways prokaryotes are grouped, alongside the bacteria
• These prokaryotes tend to thrive in extreme environments, such as hot springs, deep sea vents or extremely salty environments.

Cyanobacteria

• These are the first oxygen-producing photosynthesizers.
• They are now know as photosynthesizing prokaryotes
• They are found in both aquatic, as well as terrestrial environments.

Actinobacteria

• A phylum of gram-positive bacteria with high G+C content in their DNA
• Some species produce branched filaments (hyphae) that are similar in appearance to fungal mycelium.
• They play an important role in breaking down organic matter.

Reproduction in Bacteria

• Bacteria primarily reproduce asexually by binary fission.
• Binary fission is a process where a single cell divides into two roughly equal parts.

Nutrition in Bacteria

• Bacteria are classified nutritionally based on their carbon, energy, and electron requirements and their ability to synthesize essential metabolites

Kingdom Protista

• The protist kingdom is a collection of organisms that do not fit into the other kingdoms.
• It contains a large number of species
• Organisms can be autotrophic (photosynthetic) or heterotrophic.
• Most protists live in aquatic environments.

Water Molds

• These are fungus-like protists;
• Often parasitic organisms infecting aquatic organisms.
• The morphology often resemble filaments in other fungal species.

Slime Molds

• These are fungus-like protists that decompose organic matter
• Organisms either have a single cell or multiple cells.

Kingdom Fungi

• Fungi are heterotrophs;
• These organisms are important in recycling nutrients.
• They are capable of reproducing asexually or sexually.

Mutualism in Fungi

• Mycorrhiza: a symbiotic relationship between a fungus and a plant root, where both organisms benefit.
• Lichen: a symbiotic relationship between a fungus and a photosynthetic organism (algae or cyanobacteria), where both organisms benefit.

Kingdom Plantae

• Plants are autotrophs that use chlorophyll for photosynthesis
• Plants are multicellular
• All plants have a cuticle and cell walls.
• Reproduction is done via sexual or asexual modes.

Bryophyta

• Bryophytes are a group of land plants that lack a vascular system.
• They are often found in moist environments.
• The gametophyte generation is dominant over the sporophyte generation.

Pteridophyta

• Pteridophytes are a group of vascular plants that lack seeds and flowers.
• They reproduce using spores
• The sporophyte generation is dominant over the gametophyte generation.

Spermatophytes

• Seed-producing plants
• The most diverse and economically important plant group, they are responsible for the production of fruits and seeds
• Most spermatophytes have seeds

Gymnosperms

• Gymnosperms are plants that produce seeds but do not produce flowers or fruits.
• Their seeds are "naked", meaning they are not enclosed in a fruit or ovary.
• Conifers, cycads, gnetophytes, and ginkgoes are examples of gymnosperms

Angiosperms

• Angiosperms are the flowering plants;
• They are the most diverse group of plants on Earth;
• Most have a complex life cycle involving flowers, fruits, and seeds.

Kingdom Animalia

• Animals are multicellular heterotrophic organisms.
• They develop from a zygote that is formed from the fertilization of a sperm from a male and an egg from a female.
• The organisms in this kingdom are motile.
• Animals are heterotrophic.

Test your knowledge on the replication of phages within bacterial cells and explore the historical perspectives of biological classification. This quiz covers key concepts related to viruses, their roles, and significant advancements in classification systems by prominent scientists.