Microbial Basics
These tiny organisms include bacteria, fungi, viruses, protozoa, and algae.
What are microorganisms (microbes)?
These cells lack a true nucleus.
What are prokaryotic cells?
Most bacterial cell walls contain this molecule.
What is peptidoglycan?
Viruses contain either DNA or this nucleic acid.
What is RNA?
This type of immunity provides immediate, nonspecific protection.
What is innate immunity?
This scientist disproved spontaneous generation.
Who is Louis Pasteur?
These cells contain membrane-bound organelles.
What are eukaryotic cells?
This domain lacks peptidoglycan in its cell wall.
What is Archaea?
The protein coat surrounding a virus.
What is a capsid?
These white blood cells engulf microorganisms.
What are phagocytes?
This scientist developed postulates linking microbes to disease.
Who is Robert Koch?
This bacterial structure provides movement.
What is a flagellum?
Round bacteria are called this.
What are cocci?
The fungal cell wall is made of this material.
What is chitin?
These cells produce antibodies.
What are B cells?
Microorganisms are found here—from hot springs to the human body.
What are diverse environments (habitats)?
These short hair-like structures help bacteria attach to surfaces.
What are pili (fimbriae)?
Rod-shaped bacteria are known as these.
What are bacilli?
Fungi reproduce using these resistant structures.
What are spores?
These immune cells directly destroy infected cells.
What are T cells?
Microbiology is important because it helps us understand disease, biotechnology, and this ecological process.
What is nutrient cycling?
This bacterial protective covering may be a capsule or slime layer.
What is the glycocalyx?
This process allows bacteria to reproduce by dividing into two identical cells.
What is binary fission?
Viruses are called this because they must reproduce inside living cells.
What are obligate intracellular parasites?
These specialized cells present microbial antigens to T cells.
What are antigen-presenting cells (APCs)?