Bacterial Structures and Functions
This structure protects bacteria from harsh environments and can help them evade the immune system.
What is a capsule?
This common fungal infection, also known as tinea pedis, affects the feet.
What is athlete’s foot?
Most bacteria reproduce through this asexual process.
What is binary fission?
This process uses beneficial microbes to preserve food, creating products like yogurt and sauerkraut.
What is fermentation?
This molecule carries genetic instructions in all living organisms, including bacteria.
What is DNA?
This whip-like appendage allows bacteria to move.
What is a flagellum?
The primary reproductive structures of fungi, these are spread by wind, water, and animals.
What are spores?
This phase of bacterial growth occurs when bacteria are adjusting to their environment but not dividing yet.
What is the lag phase?
The byproducts of making bread.
What are CO2 and lactic acid?
Bacteria often contain small, circular pieces of DNA that can carry antibiotic resistance genes.
What are plasmids?
Some bacteria can form this tough, dormant structure to survive extreme conditions.
What is an endospore?
Candida albicans is an opportunistic yeast that can cause infections in this part of the body, often leading to thrush.
What is the mouth?
Bacteria can exchange genetic material through three main methods: conjugation, transformation, and this process using viruses.
What is transduction?
This bacteria, commonly found in undercooked poultry, is a leading cause of foodborne illness.
What is Salmonella?
This process allows bacteria to take up foreign DNA from their environment.
What is transformation?
Bacteria can exchange genetic material through this structure during conjugation.
What is a pilus?
This type of fungus is used in the production of antibiotics, including penicillin.
What is Penicillium?
In a closed system, bacterial growth eventually slows due to nutrient depletion in this phase.
What is the stationary phase?
This fungus, commonly found on bread and fruit, appears as a fuzzy green or black substance.
What is mold?
Viruses can insert their genetic material into a bacterial genome during this cycle, making the bacteria produce more viruses.
What is the lysogenic cycle?
Gram-positive bacteria have a thick layer of this molecule in their cell wall, which retains crystal violet stain.
What is peptidoglycan?
Fungi form mutualistic relationships with plant roots in these structures, which improve nutrient absorption.
What are mycorrhizae?
The type of bacterial reproduction that leads to the greatest spread of antibiotic resistance.
What is conjugation?
This technique, developed by Louis Pasteur, uses heat to kill harmful microbes in food and beverages without significantly altering taste.
What is pasteurization?
This enzyme, used in PCR, is essential for copying DNA.
What is DNA polymerase?