Chaper 27

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Bacteria

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A member of a large group of unicellular microorganisms that have cell walls but lack organelles and an organized nucleus, including some that can cause disease.

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Binary Fission

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The form of asexual reproduction and cell division used by all prokaryotes, some protozoa, and some organelles within eukaryotic organisms.

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Chemoautotrophs

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An organism, typically a bacterium, that derives energy from the oxidation of inorganic compounds.

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Obligate Aerobe

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An organism that requires oxygen to grow.

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Methanogen

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A methane-producing bacterium, esp. an archaean that reduces carbon dioxide to methane.

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Genophore

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The DNA of a prokaryote.

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Domain

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The highest taxonomic rank of organisms, higher than a kingdom.

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Transformation

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A metamorphosis during the life cycle of an animal.

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Commensalism

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An association between two organisms in which one benefits and the other derives neither benefit nor harm.

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Exotoxin

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A toxin released by a living bacterial cell into its surroundings.

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Endotoxin

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A toxin that is present inside a bacterial cell and is released when the cell disintegrates.

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Peptidoglycan

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A substance forming the cell walls of many bacteria, consisting of glycosaminoglycan chains interlinked with short peptides.

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Conjugation

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The temporary union of two bacteria or unicellular organisms for the exchange of genetic material.

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Photoheterotrophs

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Heterotrophic organisms that use light for energy, but cannot use carbon dioxide as their sole carbon source.

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Faculative Anaerobes

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An organism that can grow aerobically and anaerobically.

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Decomposer

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An organism, esp. a soil bacterium, fungus, or invertebrate, that decomposes organic material.

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Gram Stain

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A staining technique for the preliminary identification of bacteria, in which a violet dye is applied, followed by a decolorizing agent and then a red dye.

Front 18

Transduction

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The process of transfering genetic material from one cell to another by a plasmid or bacteriophage.

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Symbiosis

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Interaction between two different organisms living in close physical association, typically to the advantage of both.

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Gram-positive

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A bacterium that retains the violet stain used in Gram's method.

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Endospore

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A resistant asexual spore that develops inside some bacteria cells.

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Parasite

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An organism that lives in or on another organism (its host) and benefits by deriving nutrients at the host's expense.

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Obligate Anaerobes

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An organism that cannot grow in the presence of oxygen.

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Symbiont

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Either of two organisms that live in symbiosis with one another.

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Gram-negative

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A bacterium that does not retain the violet stain used in Gram's method.

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Photoautotrophs

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An organism, such as all green plants, that can synthesize its own food from inorganic material using light as a source of energy.

Front 27

Nitrogen Fixation

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The chemical processes by which atmospheric nitrogen is assimilated into organic compounds, esp. by certain microorganisms as part of the nitrogen cycle.

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Mutualism

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Symbiosis that is beneficial to both organisms involved.