Biomolecules & Enzymes
This single-stranded nucleic acid utilizes the sugar ribose and substitutes Uracil in place of Thymine.
RNA
This thick, outer sticky layer can exist as a capsule or slime layer, helping pathogens evade a host's immune cells.
Glycocalyx
If your microscope has a 10x ocular lens and you are using a 40x objective lens, this is your total magnification.
400x
This initial anaerobic pathway breaks down one molecule of glucose into two molecules of pyruvate, netting 2 ATP.
Glycolysis
This term describes the absolute destruction or removal of all viable forms of microbial life, including endospores.
Sterilization
These highly specific biological catalysts dramatically accelerate reaction rates by lowering a reaction's activation energy.
Enzymes
These highly resistant, dormant structures are produced by genera like Bacillus to survive extreme heat and radiation.
Endospores
Microbiologists use this metric unit, equivalent to one-millionth of a meter, to measure standard bacterial cells.
Micrometer
This organism type relies entirely on light for metabolic energy and uses inorganic carbon dioxide (CO₂) for its carbon.
Photoautotroph
This piece of laboratory equipment achieves sterilization using moist heat under pressure (121°C at 15 psi).
Autoclave
This specific type of lipid features a polar, hydrophilic phosphate head and two nonpolar, hydrophobic fatty acid tails.
Phospholipid
Gram-negative bacterial cells feature an outer membrane rich in this toxic molecule, which contains inflammatory Lipid A.
Lipopolysaccharide
This is the primary purpose of applying chemical stains to biological specimens before viewing them under a light microscope.
Contrast
This metabolic pathway operates without an electron transport chain and primarily serves to regenerate NAD⁺ for glycolysis.
Fermentation
This physical control method is the premier choice for removing microbes from highly heat-sensitive liquids like antibiotics.
Filtration
Proteins are polymers constructed from these smaller nitrogen-containing monomers, which are linked by peptide bonds.
Amino Acids
Unlike bacteria, which use peptidoglycan, the cell walls of Archaea are completely missing this structural network.
Peptidoglycan
This structural molecule acts as the primary target for the Gram stain, trapping crystal violet within its thick mesh grid.
Petidoglycan
This enzyme channel uses the flow of protons down an electrochemical gradient to power the synthesis of cellular energy.
ATP synthase
This form of non-ionizing radiation sanitizes surfaces by creating highly destructive thymine dimers directly in bacterial DNA.
Ultraviolet
This specific structural region of an enzyme physically binds to substrate molecules via an "induced fit."
Active Site
While bacteria utilize stable ester linkages in their cell membranes, Archaea utilize these highly durable linkages instead.
Ether Linkages
If a student completely forgets to apply iodine during a Gram stain, this is the color all the cells will look at the end.
Pink (or red)
This is the specific chemical mechanism of ATP generation used during both glycolysis and the Krebs cycle.
Substrate-level Phosphorylation
This chemical category of controls includes glutaraldehyde, which sterilizes medical tools by cross-linking structural proteins.
Aldehydes