Bits & pieces
The sticky sugars that surround some bacterium’s cell wall, protecting it and allowing it to adhere to surfaces.
Capsule
A saprophyte feeds on this.
Dead matter
This infectious agent must infect another cell to reproduce.
Virus
Causing sore throat, these bacteria are composed of long chains of round cells.
Streptococcus
Photoautotrophs such as cyanobacteria derive their energy from this.
Sunlight
The cycle in which a virus’s DNA is replicated alongside the host’s DNA.
Lysogenic cycle
A bacteria’s “outboard motor”, this structure is composed of the filament, hook, and basal body.
Flagellum
Binary fission is an example of this type of reproduction.
Asexual
The cycle in which a virus hijacks the host cell’s DNA replication system, makes copies of itself, and causes the cell to burst.
Lytic cycle
Formed when growing conditions become unfavorable, this internal wall protects a bacterium’s DNA and ribosome until conditions improve.
Endospore
Using bacteria to treat sewage or to remove oil from water in oil spills are examples of this process.
Microbial bioremediation
First developed in the 1700s by Edward Jenner, this weakened version of a pathogen is used to stimulate the body’s immune system to prevent disease.
Vaccine
In addition to a nucleoid, bacteria often contain these smaller circular DNA molecules that help them survive stressful situations.
Plasmids
Yogurts and cheese are manufactured by bacteria through this process.
Fermentation
Antibiotics work by attacking this part of a pathogenic bacteria.
Bacterium’s cell wall