rod shaped prokaryotes that are usually solitary but can form chains
what are bacilli?
allows prokaryotes to exchange dna
what are pili?
where the chromosomes/genetic material can be found within a prokaryotic cell
what is the nucleoid?
When bacteria have less peptidoglycan and an outer membrane that can be toxic
what is gram-negative bacteria?
type of archaea that live in extreme environments
what is an extremophile?
spiral shaped prokaryotes
what are spirilla?
tough structures that preserve genetic information through harsh conditions. They are metabolically inactive
what are endospores?
the process by which a prokaryotic cell transfers/integrates new dna from an external source into its own genome. this allows for genetic diversity
what is genetic recombination?
a network of sugar polymers cross-linked by polypeptides
what is peptidoglycan?
archaea that live in high salt concentrated environments
what is a halophile?
spherical prokaryotes that can be found as solitary, in pairs, or in clusters
what are cocci?
an important feature of prokaryotic cells that gives it structure. The composition of this helps distinguish bacteria and archaea
what is the cell wall?
the process by which prokaryotes reproduce asexually. It's a very rapid process and produces genetically identical cells to the parent cells
what is binary fission?
used to classify bacteria by cell wall composition
what is Gram stain?
the cell wall of archaea are made out of this
what are polysaccharides and proteins?
Staphylococus aureus is an example of this prokaryotic shape
what is an example of cocci?
primarily involved in attachment. Allows prokaryotes to stick to their substrate or other individuals in a colony. Shorter than pili
what are fimbriae?
when a piece of floating dna is taken up from the surrounding environment
what is transformation?
this can be found in bacterial cell walls, but NOT archaea cell walls
what is peptidoglycan?
a type of archaea that is anaerobic and is poisoned by atmospheric oxygen. It lives in swamps and marshes and produce methane as a waste product
what is a methanogen?