An agent that kills its target.
Compounds that cause the lysis of bacteria.
Treatments that do not kill the target organism, but prevent its growth
Ribosomal RNA. One RNA that is part of the ribosome. The 16 S refers to 16 Svedberg units - a measure of how fast the molecule sediments in a centrifuge.
Microbes that prefer to grown under acidic conditions (pH < 5.5)
acidophilic describes microbes that thrive in acidic conditions (pH below 5.0).
Activation energy is the initial energy required to get a reaction to occur.
An activator is a regulatory protein that when bound to DNA, recruits RNA polymerase to a promoter and increases the rate of transcription.
Active transport is a mechanism that uses energy to move molecules across a membrane.
The adaptive immune system is that part of the immune system that becomes stronger when exposed to an antigen.
The adaptive immune system is that part of the immune system that becomes stronger when exposed to an antigen. It contains cells that recognize antigens and then builds a specific response to them using antibodies, B-cells, and T-cells
Somthing I want to delete later
ATP is a major energy source in the cell and one of the four nucleotides used in DNA and RNA.
A root that arises out of the shoot tissue, not from a parent root. They usually originate from the stem.
Aeciospores are a type of spore produced by rusts, a pathogenic Basidiomycota.
Aerotaxis is movement toward oxygen or air.
Aerotolerant anaerobes are able to grow in the presence of air, but do not use oxygen in their catabolism.
Microbes that can survive in air, but do not utilize oxygen in their metabolism. The most common group of microbes that fit this description are the lactic acid bacteria.
An agarose gel is a method for separating DNA fragments. Agarose is a long polysaccaride that when cooled below 40 °C will form a gel. This gel has a range of pore sizes that is dependent upon the concentration of agarose in the solution. If DNA is placed in an agarose gel and subjected to an electric field, it will migrate toward the positive electrode. Its rate of migration is inversely proportional to its molecular weight. Thus DNA fragments of different sizes can be resolved, with small fragments running further than large fragments.
An aldehyde is a organic compound with a terminal carbonyl group.
Alkalophiles is a term that describes microbes that thrive in alkaline conditions (pH above 8.0).
Alkylating agents are mutagenic chemicals that react with DNA and modify it by adding alkyl groups.
An allosteric protein is an enzyme with two sites, the active site and an allosteric site. Binding of the allosteric site causes a change in the activity of the enzyme.
Amastigotes refer to cells of Trypanosoma cruzi in one stage of the protozoan life cycle
The Ames test is an assay to determine if a chemical can mutagenized bacteria. An auxotrophic bacteria strain of Salmonella, with a known mutation in a gene for histidine biosynthesis, is spread onto an agar plate without histidine. Colonies only appear where the original mutation has been reverted. If the addition of a chemical to the plat causes the appearance of more colonies, then that chemical is a mutagen.
Small organic molecules with a central carbon (the α-carbon) bonded to four distinct groups. The groups are a hydrogen, an amine group, a carboxyl group and finally some type of organic molecule. The fourth group can be anything from a hydrogen, to a more complex aromatic group. Proteins are made of 20 amino acids that vary only in the fourth group.
Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases are the proteins that attach amino acids to tRNAs. There is one synthetase for each amino acid, which means that many of these recognize multiple tRNAs.
Amphipathic molecules contain both hydrophilic and hydrophobic sections. Lipids are amphipathic.
The isolation of DNA and its amplification using PCR primers to universal genes found in all organisms. Often, the small subunit ribosomal RNA (also know as 16 S rRNA) is the target gene. The amplified fragments are then sequenced and the result used to determine the identity of the various organisms. Using this method, it is possible to take a census of a habitat.
The creation of two or more copies of a genetic region in the chromosome.
Anabolism consists of the enzymatic reactions of the cell that build cell structures. For example, the reactions that make amino acids or peptidoglycan.
Anaerobic is a state where there is an absence of oxygen
Anaerobic respiration is a type of energy generation using an electron transport system that does not use oxygen as a terminal electron acceptor.
Anamorph refers to the non-sexual phase of a fungus
Anaphylactic hypersensitivity is an allergic reaction that occurs upon second exposure to an allergin. The reaction results in the release of histamines
The angstrom is a unit of measure. 1 angstrom is 1 x 10-10m
Anoxygenic photosynthesis is photosynthesis that does not generate oxygen
Antibiotics are lower molecular weight natural substances produced by on microorganism that inhibit the growth of other microorganisms.
Antibodies are a class of proteins made by B cells (also called B lymphocytes) that react with antigens. This often results in the elimination of owner of the antigen by various mechanisms including activation of other cells of the immune system
Antibodies are a class of proteins made by B cells (also called B lymphocytes) that react with antigens. This often results in the elimination of the owner of the antigen by various mechanisms including activation of other cells of the immune system
An anticodon is a set of three bases that lie at one end of the folded structure of tRNAs. These bases interact with the codons of mRNAs by base-pairing.
Are any type of molecule that causes an immune response in a host by interacting with antigen-specific receptors on the membrane of host lymphocytes.
Antigen presenting cells are cells that present antigens to the immune system. These include macrophages, monocytes and dendritic cells.
A macromolecule, often a protein, that causes an immune response in a host.
Antigens are molecules that the immune system reacts to.
Antiseptics are compounds that inhibit or kill microorganisms and are safe to use on the skin and mucous membranes, but are normally not taken internally
An apoenzyme is an enzyme without its cofactor.
The phylogenetic term Archaea refers to one of the major domains of organisms that contains microorganisms, some of which can live under very extreme conditions. The other domains are Bacteria and Eukarya
The ascocarp is the macroscopic fruiting body of Ascomycota.
An ascospore is the sexual spore produced by Ascomycota.
The ascus is a fruiting structure produced by Ascomycota.
In a fashion such that it does not get contaminated with microorganisms
Attenuation is the treatment of a pathogen in such a way that it loses much of its virulence. Such a strain is said to be attenuated.
The DNA sequence at which transcriptional attenuation occurs.
Autoinduction is the process in which a cell makes a low level of a compound, but the presence of more of that compound leads to higher production. When there is a population of cell that are all producing that compound, the concentration in the environment goes up and is sensed by all the cells, which then respond by increasing production even more.
An autotroph obtains its cell carbon from carbon dioxide.
Growth using carbon dioxide as the sole source of carbon.
An auxotroph is a strain that requires one or more organic factors for growth, in addition to a carbon source. The term is typically used for mutants that require more additions than does the wild type.
A property of a microbe such that it does not cause disease in a specific host.
Flagella-like appendages anchored to the ends of the cells and pointing inwards. Rotation of the axial filament causes the cell to twitch or rotate. During rotation the cells will drill through the surrounding medium; even very viscous liquids or tissues.
B-lymphocytes are cells that are part of the immune system that produce antibodies when activated by antigen
B-lymphocytes are cells that are part of the immune system that produce antibodies when activated by antigen
The phylogenetic term Bacteria refers to one of the major domains of organisms that contains many of the commonly know microbes. The other domains are Archaea and Eukarya
An agent that kills bacteria.
Bacteriochlorophyll is a photopigment molecule containing a magnesium ion that collects light for photosynthesis. A special pair of BChl make up the active site in the reaction center in photosynthetic complexes of bacteria.
Bacteriocins are toxic peptides made by lactic acids bacteria, including those that are part of the normal flora and those used in certain food fermentations
A bacteriophage is a virus that infects bacteria
Bacteriopheophytin is a photopigment found in cyanobacteria. It is a bacteriochlorophyll molecule minus magnesium. These photopigments are often found in the light harvesting and reaction center proteins of photosynthetic microbes.
An agent that inhibits the growth of a bacteria, but does not kill it.
A base refers to specific purines and pyrimidines that are connected to sugar phosphates to form the monomers of DNA or RNA. There are four bases in DNA: adenine, guanine, cytosine and thymine. In RNA, uracil takes the place of thymine.
Base analog mutagens look sufficiently like normal nucleotides that they are added to DNA during replication in place of the normal nucleotides. Because these are not identical to the normal nucleotides, they often lead to errors in replication that create mutations.
Base excision repair is a cellular process for removing an aberrant base from DNA. It involves cutting out the entire base and sugar and then replacing it with the appropriate nucleotide.
A base pair is the pairing of two bases, a purine with a pyrimidine, in the double helix of a DNA molecule that bind together through hydrogen bonds.
Base-pairing is interaction between two bases of nucleic acid through hydrogen bonding between the amino and carboxyl groups on their edges.
Base stacking is the interaction between two bases that are adjacent to each other on a strand of DNA or RNA. This involves the electron density above and below the planes of the aromatic rings.
A base substitution (mutation)is a change in the DNA sequence such that one base pair is replaced by a different one.
Basidiospores are spores of the Basidiomycota that are produced during sexual reproduction. Contained in basidia.
A basidia is a structure produced by fungi of the Basidiomycota that holds the spores of the dikaryotic fruiting body. In mushrooms, one example of a fruiting body, the basidia are on the gills underneath the cap of the mushroom.
Basophils are a type of leukocyte that is part of the immune system. Basophiils are involved in allergic reactions and fighting parasitic infections.
A batch culture involves culturing microorganisms in a system to which media is not continuously added or removed. Examples include broth medium in a flask or tube.
Binary fission is a method of bacterial cell division where the parental cell divides equally into two sibling cells.
Biocontrol is the use of microbes to mitigate the effects of harmful organisms.
Bioconversion is the use of microorganisms to perform certain complex chemical reactions. This process entails growing a microorganism in the presence the substrate to be transformed.
A biofilm is a population of microorganisms that grow on a surface and encase themselves in excreted layers of polysaccharide. Dental plaque is an example of a biofilm.
Hydrocarbon based compounds that can be burned for energy that are extraced from organisms.
Bioinfomatics is the analysis of genetic sequence data by computer. A database of properties has been built that matches biochemical data from known proteins to their gene sequence. This can then be used to develop testable hypotheses about the properties and functions of proteins whose DNA sequences match that of known ones.
Biological oxygen demand is a measure of the amount of dissolved oxygen consumed by microbes growing on the organic and inorganic compounds present in wastewater
TBD
Bioluminescence is the production of light by living organisms. Typically this involves an enzymatic reaction by the enzyme luciferase.
Biomass is the total mass of living material within a given volume.
Bioremediation is the process of removing a pollutant from an area by the use of microorganisms who degrade the pollutant to harmless end products
The biosphere is that part of the earth and its atmosphere that supports living things.
Bradyzoites are slowly multiplying encysted from of the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii
The movement due to bombardment of submicrosopic particles in the liquid, where the cells (alive or dead) appear to remain in one position but shake somewhat
Budding division is the form of division where a parental cell creates a morphologically distinguishable sibling cells, that eventually separates from the parental cell.
Butanediol fermentation is a type of fermentation by certain members of the Enterobacteriaceae that produces butanediol as one of its products
The cap is the top lid of a mushroom. Underneath the cap are the gills, which contain the basidiospores. The cap is supported by a stile.
A capsid is the primary proteinaceous covering of a virus.
A capsule is a network of polysaccharide or protein containing material extending outside of the cell that is not easily washed off.
A carbohydrate is an organic compound containing carbon, hydrogen and oxygen in a ratio of about 1:2:1. Sugars and polysaccharides are examples of carbohydrates.
The Calvin cycle is one pathway that converts carbon into various forms in the environment
Carbonate reductions is the process of using CO2 as a terminal electron acceptor. Often performed by methanogens.
Carboxylation is the addition of a carboxyl group to a molecule. For example, ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate undergoes a carboxylation during the Calvin cycle
Carboxysomes are polyhedral structures that look very much like phage heads and are composed of 5-6 proteins that form a shell around ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase. It is thought that the carboxysomes serve to concentrate CO2 inside the structure and thus increase the efficiency of ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase.
Carotenoids are photopigments found in light harvesting proteins of photosynthetic bacteria. They are also found in many other cells and tissues, such as fish and carrots. They serve a protective role, detoxifying reactive by-products of light exposure.
An animal or individual showing no outward signs of illness that harbors an infectious disease and is capable of transmitting it to others.
The use of chemical reactions to generate energy and reducing power (electrons) that drive cellular functions. These reactions can involve the breakdown of complex molecules into smaller ones, but there are many exceptions where this doesn't occur.
Repression of gene expression in the presence of glucose. Genes for alternative carbon and energy sources are often regulated by catabolite repression
The smallest unit of an organism that is capable of independent functioning. For microorganisms, this encompasses their entire structures
An allergic reaction where the reacting is dependent upon the action of T cells. These become sensitized to an allergen and after a delay (about 2 weeks) they produce welts on the skin. The tuberculin test is a cell-mediated hypersensitivity to antigens from Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Immunity in animals that involves the activation T cells.
a polysaccharide consisting of chains of glucose monomers linked together by β 1-4 linkages. This is in contract to starch, another polysaccharide of glucose linked together by α-1,4 linkages.
The hypothesis that biological information moves from DNA to RNA and then results in protein.
The most condense part of a chromosome to which the spindle fiber is attached during cell division.
A structure near the nucleus that contains centrioles and is involved in pulling chromosomes apart during cell division.
Proteins that help nascent proteins fold correctly and also repair mis-folded proteins.
Media where the chemical nature of all of the ingredients and their amounts are known.
A growth medium where all the components of a medium are known both qualitatively and quantitatively.
An idea explaining the method of ATP synthesis that involves proton motive force and ATP synthase.
A nutritional classification where the microbe gets its energy from chemicals, its carbon from CO2 and its electrons from inorganic sources
A nutritional classification where the microbe gets its energy from chemicals, its carbon from CO2 and its electrons from inorganic sources
A nutritional classification where the microbe gets its energy from chemicals and its electrons and carbon from organic compounds
A nutritional classification where the microbe gets its energy from chemicals and its electrons and carbon from organic compounds
An organism that gets it energy from chemicals and uses organic compounds as its source of carbon. Microbes that fall into this class are also often organotrophs, obtaining their electrons from organic compounds.
A nutritional classification where the microbe gets its energy from chemicals and its electrons and carbon from organic compounds.
Chemokines are a set of small molecular weight proteins (8-12 kDa) that serve as chemoattractants to phagocytes and T cells
Growth using chemicals for energy and inorganic chemicals as a source of electrons.
An organism that gets it energy from chemicals and uses organic compounds as its source of electrons. Microbes that fall into this class are also often heterotrophs, obtaining their carbon from organic compounds.
A vessel for the continuous culture of microbes. Fresh medium is continuously added and waste products are removed. Microbes can be grown in chemostats indefinitely.
Movement toward or away from a chemical.
A chemical that has some type of utility in the treatment of a disease. Antibiotics are one type of chemotherapeutic agent.
An organism that generates its energy by the oxidation of chemicals.
Chlorophyll is a photopigment molecule containing a magnesium ion that collects light for photosynthesis. A special pair of chlorophyll make up the active site in the reaction center in photosynthetic complexes of cyanobacteria and plants
The organelle inside eukaryotic cells where photosynthesis takes place
A part of the genome (DNA) of an organism that contains essential functions.
System of arteries, capillaries and heart that circulates blood throughout the body.
A clade is a group of organisms consisting of a single common ancestor and all its descendants. Most often these groups are determined by molecular analysis. In some cases it is difficult to determine the place of clades within the tree of life, especially for the protozoa.
A protein involved in the endocytosis of particles that bind to the surface of eukaryotic cells
1. The amplification and isolation of specific regions of DNA in vitro. This typically involves the creation of plasmids or phage with the desired region. It can also be accomplished by PCR amplification.
A small molecule that binds to a repressor protein and causes a conformational change that allows the repressor to bind a DNA sequence and block transcription.
Three consecutive bases on an mRNA that are read simultaneously by the ribosome and signal the incorporation of a specific amino acid in translation.
An organic chemical that is part a enzyme and assists in the reaction that it carries out.
A general term for any part of a protein that is not part of its peptides chain, yet is important in its function. Cofactors can be coenzymes or prosthetic groups
Non-spore forming, facultatively anaerobic, gram-negative rods, which ferment lactose to acid and gas within 48 hours at 35 °C. Almost always enterics.
A mound of microorganisms growing on a plate
A chemical added to a growth medium or other solution that changes when specific conditions change. For example, a pH decrease causes the color indicator bromcresol purple to change from purple to yellow.
A chemical reaction in which multiple different chemical components are allowed to react randomly to crate novel compounds. Typically this involves the polymerization of polymers from different monomers.
A symbiotic relationship where the host is neither harmed nor helped by the presence of a microbe
Solutes that are compatible with the physiology of a cell and are accumulated to deal with osmotic stress.
A measure of how well a microbe is able to grow in a given environment. The term is often used when comparing the ability of different strains to grow on various hosts.
Complement is an enzymatic system in the blood containing nine proteins (termed C1-C9). These proteins are produced in macrophages, in liver cells and by epithelial cells in the gastrointestinal mucosa. They circulate in the bloodstream and when activated, attack foreign cells.
Strands of DNA or RNA that have compatible base sequences and are capable of base paring with one another to for a double helix.
Medium in which the ingredients and their concentration is not known. Complex medium often contains extracts of plants, animals and yeast and will support the growth of many microorganisms.
A medium that contains extracts of plants or animals where the exact quantity of each chemical is unknown and often varies from lot to lot.
Solutions containing only parts of pathogens (typically major antigens) that raise a protective immune response.
The physical linkage of many identical pieces of nucleic acid in an end-to-end arrangement.
A mutation that only displays it mutant phenotype when certain conditions are met. For example, a conditional mutant may only be His- when the cells are incubated at a high temperature.
An asexual spore produced by various fungi.
Structures that hold conidia
Transfer of pieces of DNA from one cell to another through cell-to-cell contact that is mediated by a number of protein factors.
A composite sequence of nucleic acid or protein monomers that represents the statistical average of a number of naturally occurring sequences of the same type. In other words, all known natural sequences are compared in a monomer by monomer way and the most common monomer at each position defines that position in the consensus.
The conserved region of antibodies that interacts with the immune system.
A culture that grows indefinitely. These are typically maintained inside chemostates
A highly conserved polysaccharide that is part of the lipopolysaccharide of the Gram negative cell wall.
Coenzymes (such as vitamins B12) that contain cobalt and have a porphyrin-like structure
The addition to a protein of a small group by a chemical bond that regulates the activity of the protein. Attachment of the molecule can increase or decrease the activity of the protein.
A type of post-translational regulation of enzymes that involves the covalent attachment of a modifying group to the enzyme
Photosynthetic bacteria found in many aquatic environments. Their photosynthetic apparatus is very similar to that used by plants.
A type of resting cell that contains a thicker cell wall.
Small peptides produced by cells of the body that act as intracellular signals, especially between cells of the immune system.
The part of the cell inside the cell membrane, but not including any organelles
An allergic reaction that involves the destruction of whole cells
A unit of measure used in chemistry and biochemistry. A dalton is defined as 1 atomic mass unit. It is 1/12 the mass of an unbound carbon-12 molecule.
The removal of an amine group from a molecule
In batch culture, the part of the growth curve where cells are dying
the length of time it takes for the viable population to decrease 10 fold at a given temperature
The length of time it takes for the viable population of a microbial culture to decrease 10 fold at a given temperature. This is a measure of the heat sensitivity of a microbe.
A mutation in which two or more contiguous base pairs are eliminated from the sequence.
Mutations that eliminate some number of bases when compared to the wild-type sequence.
A respiratory process where NO3- serves as the terminal electron source and is reduced to N2 gas.
Cavities in the teeth, Caused by the growth of microorganisms
A general term used to refer to all four nucleotide triphosphates: dNTP is dATP, dCTP, dTTP and cGTP.
A type of filter containing overlapping layers of fibrous sheets of paper, asbestos or glass fibers
The removal of purine from DNA.
A flowchart or other diagram that deliniates a set of organisms based upon a set of properties. In the key, a serious of questions is asked and depending upon the answer for a particlular test orgnaisms, the path through the key is determined. At the end of the key, the exact species is often determined.
The spontaneous mixing of particles caused by thermal motion
A glycerol unit that contains two fatty acids attached to it by ester linkages.
An abnormal state of organism, organ, or tissue that has distinctive symptoms that most often leads to damage or disability.
These are compounds that kill microorganisms and may or may not kill spores, but are not safe to apply to living tissues
The reduction of nitrate and its use as a terminal electron accepter.
A polymer of nucleic acd that serves as the hereditary material for all organisms. It is capable of self-replication and synthesis of RNA in the cell. DNA consists of two long chains of nucleotides twisted into a double helix and joined by hydrogen bonds. Hydrogen bonds form between cytosine and guanine or adenosine and thymine, the bases that make up DNA.
An abbreviation for deoxynucleotide monophosphate. A general term used to refer to all four nucleotide monophosphates: dNMP is dAMP, dCMP, dTMP and cGMP.
An abbreviation for deoxynucleotide triphosphate. A general term used to refer to all four nucleotide triphosphates: dNTP is dATP, dCTP, dTTP and cGTP.
1. With reference to proteins, a domain is a portion of the protein that forms a single structural region or, occasionally, a single function region.
Genetic mutations that involve the addition of a duplicate copy of a region of DNA elsewhere in the genome. Typically it is immediately adjacent to the original copy and oriented in the same direction, where it is termed a tandem duplication.
The initial events in the viral infection of a cell.
A small molecule that signals something, typically by binding to a protein. The most typical case is where a protein binds DNA and activates transcription only after binding an effector molecule.
The expulsion of microbial material from a phagocyte after it has dealt with an invading microbe.
A stable negatively-charged subatomic particle that is part of all atoms and molecules. Electrons can flow through respiratory chains and between molecules in the processes of metabolism.
A type of microscope that uses electrons instead of light for visualizing samples.
A membrane bound process where the movement of electrons down a electron transport chain results in the pumping of protons across a membrane. This ensuing proton motive force is used to drive ATP synthesis using ATP synthase.
An uptake process that eukaryotic cells use to take in particles in which the plasma membrane infolds and surround the particle.
A finely divided system of interconnected membranes, consisting of tubules and vesicles that loop through the cell and are contiguous with the nuclear membrane. It functions in the synthesis of membranes and membrane proteins and is also involved in protein secretion.
The term that describes a membrane-lined particle in a cell that has been taken up by endocytosis
A resting strucure produced by Bacillus, Clostridium and other species that is extremely resistant to heat, chemicals, radiation and drying
A symbiosis between two organisms in which one lives in the cytoplasm of the other.
Lipopolysaccharide. Part of the gram-negative cell wall that when released from a pathogen has systemic toxic effects
Culturing methods that favor the growth of one class of microbes over all others. Nutrients or growth parameters are manipulated to either encourage the growth of the desired class or discourage the undesirable microbes.
Media that selects for the growth of a certain desired class of microorganisms. Nutrients and incubation conditions are manipulated in such a way that the growth of a desired class of microbe in encouraged, or the growth of undesired microbes is inhibited.
Medium formulated to encourage the growth of a desired microbe, while inhibiting the growth of other microbes
The sum of the internal energy of a system. The heat of a system.
A measure of the disorder or randomness of a closed system.
A term used to described the outer membrane of a virus
Environmental microbiology is the study of the numbers and species present in the various environments of the earth and their physiology.
A type of leukocyte that is part of the immune system. They are important in regulating the immune system, in combating large parasites.
The branch of medicine that deals with the transmission, incidence and control of disease through public health campaigns.
A stage in the life cycle of protozoan of the Trypanosome genus.
Form of the Trypanosoma brucei, the cause of sleeping sickness, that multiplies in the salivary gland of the Tsetse fly.
Red blood cells
The domain of organisms that contain a membrane-bound nucleus
Containing a membrane-bound nucleus
Waters rich in mineral and organic material and capable of supporting abundant growth on microorganisms
A sequence of DNA in eukaryotes that codes for mRNA and protein
Highly poisonous protein toxins produced by some pathogens
In batch culture, the period in a microbe's growth curve where the population is increasing.
A plasmid that has been designed so that genes can readily be cloned downstream from a strong promoter, allowing high levels of expression from the cloned genes.
Something that occurs or is outside the cell.
Microorganisms that are able to grow in the presence of very high concentrations of salt (>2 M NaCl)
Microorganisms that grow at very high temperatures (>85 °C)
Microorganisms that can grow at extremes of temperature, pH, pressure or salt concetration.
A specific set of genes that typically exist as plasmids in enteric bacteria. These genes encode the functions necessary for conjugation, which can result in movement of the plasmid to another cell. If the plasmid has integrated into the chromosome, then the entire chromosome is capable of being transferred.
The variable region of an antibody that reacts with antigen.
Specific transport of a molecule across a membrane facilitated by a protein. No energy is required, but the molecule is not concentrated against a gradient.
Microbes that can grow in the presence of oxygen or in its absence. They use oxygen in their metabolism when it is present, but grow by fermentation in its absence.
A microbe that can grow using oxidative respiration when in oxygen, but is still capable of fermentation under anaerobic conditions
An ester of glycerol that contains one, two or three fatty acids.
Coliforms that are only found in the intestines of warm-blooded animals.
A type of regulation of enzyme activity where the end product of a pathway inhibits the first enzyme that is unique to that pathway
A catabolic process whereby organic molecules serve as both electron donors and electron acceptors. Because the process does not employ a very oxidizing compound such as oxygen, the substrates are not fully oxidized.
A vessel to grow microorganisms in. Despite its name, fermentors can be grown aerobically or anaerobically
A mode of growth where a microbe lengthens its initial tubular shape as one long filament. At certain intervals the tube will branch in some species and eventually expand in a number of directions. As the microbe grows, copies of the genome are made and laid down along the filament. Cross walls may be laid down between genomes, but this is not always true. Filamentous growth is found in the fungi and actinomycetes
A phage that forms relatively long, slender, protein capsids that wrap around the nucleic acid.
Tubular structures that project from the outer surface of a microbe into the environment. They are involved in attachment Fimbriae are made one or a few proteins that polymerize in a helical fashion.
Tubular structures that project from the outer surface and function in motility. Flagella acts as propellers, when spun counterclockwise they push the cell forward
A electron carrier in the cell. It is involved in many redox reactions in the cell.
Tricyclic compounds involved in electron transport
A microscope that illuminates a sample with a specific wavelength. The sample contains a compound that will absorb that wavelength. Eventually the excited compound will release the energy and cause fluorescence, which is observed through the optics of the microscope.
A special amino acid that starts all proteins in prokaryotes.
Genetics mutations where one or two contiguous base pairs are added or removed from the wild-type sequence.
A short-hand names for frameshift mutations.
The energy available to do work. In biology, this usually refers to the energy release from a chemical reaction.
Spore-bearing structures made when starving by molds, slime molds and some bacteria..
A class of eukaryotic microbes that grow by absorption of nutrients, typically from dead organisms.
An agent that kills fungi
An agent then inhibits the growth of fungi, but does not kill them.
Genetic rearrangements, typically created in vitro, in which two distinct regions are deliberately placed next to each other. This might be a case where a promoter from one gene is placed upstream of another gene, especially where the product of the latter gene is easily assayed. In that case, the activity of the gene product indicates the functionality of the promoter. Alternatively, portions of two different genes can be fused to create a protein that is a chimera with portions of both of the original gene products.
A single-celled structure producing gametes (sex cells) or gametic nuclei.
A cyst formed around a number of gamonts that eventually fuse and then divide to form gametes
Sexually reproductive cells produced by Apicomplexa
Protein-lined chambers that are capable of trapping gas inside them and serve as little flotation devices that allow the microbes maintain their position in the water column
Referring to the digestive tract.
Patterns of small amounts of genes or portions of genes on solid surfaces that represent most or all of those present in the organism. Nucleic acids that are labeled in some way are then hybridized to the array and the genes to which
Any mechanism for moving DNA from one cell to another, including conjugation, transduction and transformation.
The movement of host DNA from one cell to another by page. It results from the accidental packaging of host DNA into phage heads during their assembly. This DNA is subsequently injected into recipient cells in the manner typical for phage infection.
The manipulation of genetic material in vitro.
The entire DNA sequence of an organism including chromosomes and plasmids.
The total genetic information within a given cell.
The analysis of sequence information to make predictions and conclusions of biological significance.
The precise genetic make-up of a strain. This can be defined as its DNA sequence.
Geosmins are a class of volatile low molecular weight compounds produced by streptomycetes. The odor of soil is due to the production of geosmins.
A part of the mushroom underneath the cap that holds the basidia.
A method of motility where bacterial move across a solid surface.
A general term for any network of polysaccharide or protein containing material extending outside of the cell.
Lipids with covalently attached sugars.
the breakdown of simple sugars into pyruvate. Often refers to the Embden-Meyerhoff-Parnas pathway.
Proteins with covalently attached sugars.
Proteins that add sugars to other proteins or lipids
An organelle containing a double membrane that is mainly devoted to the processing of proteins, by proteolysis and glycosylation, synthesized in the endoplasmic reticulum
A unit of mass in the metric system equal to one one-thousandth of a kilogram.
Organic molecules that are necessary for growth, yet a microbe is unable to synthesize. Often these are vitamins, nucleic acids and amino acids.
One of the four nucleotides that make up the DNA polymer. It can also serve as a carrier of high energy phosphate bonds in metabolic reactions.
Microbes that require high salt concentrations in order to grow.
Microbe that can tolerate high salt concentrations, but grow better at low salt concentrations.
Having a single set of chromosomes.
Proteins that are transiently expressed at a higher level after an increase in temperature. Many of these are molecular chaperones or proteases
A protein that imparts super-helical twists to the DNA helix.
A wild-type virus that is required for a defective virus to grow.
Pophyrlin rings containing a iron as the chelated atom. Important in many electron carriers
Rounded structures distributed at regular intervals along a string of vegetative cells in some filamentous cyanobacteria.
A heterotroph obtains its cell carbon from organic compounds.
An Hfr strain is one that conjugates its chromosome to other cells frequently. The critical feature of these is that they have an F factor integrated into the chromosome.
A complete and active protein containing all it protein subunits and any necessary cofactors.
The inheritance of DNA by one cell from another cell to which it is not closely related. Horizontal transfer is typically by conjugation or transduction.
Small peptides made by cells that regulate the activity of other cells.
Work by humans to achieve something meaningful.
Immunity in animals that involves the production of antibodies
In ancient times it was thought that the body contained four basic fluids in the body:blood, phlegm, choler, and black bile. The proportion that one had determine a persons overall health.
The process where two complementary single-stranded DNA sequences come together and form a double-stranded DNA sequence.
Cracks in the ocean floor where tectonic plates meet. In these areas, water seeps into the molten rock below the ocean surface and become superheated. At this high temperature, it also absorbs large amounts of reduced ions. Due to it higher temperature, the water now rises, and blasts into the open ocean. Much of the ions precipiate out and form deposits around the ejection area for the water.
Microorganisms that grow at very high temperatures (>85 °C)
A property of a microbe that can grow above 85°C.
Thread-like, tubular filaments formed when growing. Commonly found in fungi and actinomycetes
Thread-like, tubular filaments formed when growing. Commonly found in fungi and actinomycetes
dormant stage of Plasmodium vivax and P. ovale that is present in liver cells. It can reemerge later to cause delayed malaria and malarial relapses.
A 20-sided roughly spherical structure. Icosahedrons are a common capsid structure for viruses
Allergic reactions cause by
Being resistant to disease or infection by a specific pathogen.
Another name for antibodies. A class of proteins made by B cells (also called B lymphocytes) that reaction with antigens.
in the test tube, away from the microbe.
in the microorganism
A small molecule signal that elicits a response. Typically it refers to the specific case of a small molecule that binds to a repressor protein and causes that protein to cease its interference with transcription.
An agent that is capable of being transmitted throughout a population. For microorganisms, this normally is applied to disease-causing organisms.
A localized protective of tissue to damage or infection that results in pain, redness and swelling.
Mutations that suppress the phenotype of another mutations by altering the way the information of the original mutation is processed into a product. Informational suppressors therefore alter transcription or, more typically, translation machinery so that the mutant information is inappropriately processed, but with the result that more functional product is made.
Proteins that monitor the initiation of translation by ribosomes on mRNA. Their role is to prevent inappropriate translation.
The tRNA that inserts formyl methionine and the first codon of genes.
General mechanisms in a healthy animal that prevent colonization by microorganisms and antagonize or kill those that do enter the host Innate immunity is always present and the strength of its reaction does not increase upon repeated exposure to an antigen.
General mechanisms in a healthy animal that prevent colonization by microorganisms and antagonize or kill those that do enter the host Innate immunity is always present and the strength of its reaction does not increase upon repeated exposure to an antigen.
The process of adding culture to a broth to begin growth of a culture. In immunity and health it can also mean the introduction of an antigenic substance into the body to create an immune response..
Bits of selfish DNA that move from place to place in the genomes of prokaryotes and eukaryotes. More formally, they are pieces of DNA the move by a transposition mechanism, which involves a bit of new DNA synthesis, and that carry genes only related to transposition.
Invaginations of the cell membrane with the goal to increase the surface area. This is often used to provide room for membrane proteins.
Regions of eukaryotic DNA that that is transcribed into mRNA but then processed out of the mRNA before translation.
An approach to genetic manipulation in which specific mutations are created in vitro and then used to replace the normal region in the cell.
kilobase pairs. Typically used to refer to the length of DNA
A carbonyl group in the middle of an alkyl chain
Region of the chromosome where microtubes attach during cell division
A division of Archaea
The first phase of growth after inoculation of a culture, where no population increase is observed.
In virology, the last phases of the viral life cycle. During this time new viral particles are built, the viral nucleic acid is packaged, and the virus is released from the host.
Another term for horizontal transfer: The inheritance of DNA by one cell from another cell to which it is not closely related. Horizontal transfer is typically by conjugation or transduction.
A very small, non-functional peptide involved in regulation by attenuation
A leaky mutant phenotype is one that is difficult to distinguish from the wild-type phenotype. A mutation with a distinct mutant phenotype is termed tight.
An alteration in DNA that might become a mutation. A lesion necessarily has chemical features that are unlike normal base pairs, so lesions are often recognized and corrected by repair systems.
A mutation that kills the cell under some condition. Typically they are temperatur-sensitive that only kill above or below some temperature.
A biochemical reaction by which chemical bonds are formed in the backbone between two adjacent nucleotides. This is typically performed by a ligase.
A microscope that uses light to illuminate its sample. These types of microscopes are limited to about a 1000X magnification.
Enzymes that degrade lipids.
A highly conserved region of lipopolysaccharide consisting of a phosphorylated N-acetylglucosamine (NAG) dimer with six or seven fatty acids attached.
An amphipathic molecule containing a backbone of glycerol with two hydrophobic fatty acids attached by ester linkages and a hydrophilic group attached to the third hydroxyl of glycerol. Lipids are a major component of membranes
Abbreviation, LPS. A glycolipid composed of Lipid A, core polysaccharide and O-specific antigen.
A component of the outer membrane of Gram negative bacteria that contains long chains of sugars connected through a conserved polysaccharide to lipids.
A phosphodiester polymer of glycerol or ribitol joined by phosphate groups and linked to a lipid.
A lithotroph obtains its electrons from inorganic compounds.
An anaphylactic allergic reaction that is localized to a specific area, such as the nose or gastrointestinal tract.
Moving lengthwise rather than across something.
A mutation that eliminates the function of the encoded gene product entirely.
Encapsulated tissues that are major centers for immune function. They are present throughout the body and filter large volumes of liquid and cells, detecting antigens and removing microbes. Lymph nodes also interact with phagocytes to begin various immune functions that we will elucidate later
A separate vascular system, distinct from the bloodstream, through which the lymph moves. The lymph contains phagocytes, B cells, T cells and various serum proteins, such as antibodies.
Another name for white blood cells
Chemical signal peptides secreted by white blood cells
The disruption of the integrity of a cell, either by biological means (such as a virus) or by physical means.
The bursting of a cell, typically by some outside force. Infection with a virus, may result in lysis to release new viral particles at the end of the viral life cycle.
Typically this refers to a cell that carries a virus in a state of hibernation (lysogeny), but is sometimes used to refer to the virus in that state.
The situation in which a virus has entered into a hibernating state within a cell.
Membrane encased particles that contain digestive enzymes and toxic substances. Lysosomes are present in cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells and fuse with incoming phagosomes.
A viral life cycle that leads to the production of more viruses that are then released from the cell, often by lysing the host.
Large structures produced by some fungi that bear asexual spores.
A female gamete for the malaria parasites, Plasmodium vivax, P. falciparum, P. ovale and P. malariae
A precursor cell to the zygote for Cryptosporidium parvum. This cell will mate with a microgamont to form a zygote.
Ciliate protozoa have a two nuclei. The macronucleus is involved in the production of mRNA for protein synthesis and other cell functions. The other nucleus is called the micronucleus
Nutrients needed by the cell in quantities that are larger than 1% of the cells dry weight. Common macronutrients include C, N, H, O, P, and S
Long-lived specialized phagocytes. Macrophages are found in the brain, lungs, liver, spleen, lymph nodes, joints and peritoneum.
The larvae of flies.
A model of an object which generates a magnetic field from two poles (often referred to as N and S). In this example, the bacterium behaves like a magnet.
Lipid-encased structures made of magnetite, iron sulfide greisite or iron pyrites. Magnetosomes are magnetized and cause the microbe to orient itself in a magnetic field.
Special surface proteins of animal cells that hold protein fragments in a groove and present them to the immune system.
The determination of where mutations or genes lie on a genome with respect to other mutations or genes. Genome sequencing is an extremely precise form of mapping.
Immune cells located throughout the body that secrete a number of chemicals (including histamine) when activated.
Megabase pairs, 1,000,000 base pairs.
A solution or solid that is used for the growth of bacteria. For example LB medium or minimal medium.
A type of zoosporangium made by chytrids that is involved in sexual reproduction.
A cell that is partially diploid, because some region is duplicated either in the chromosome or on a plasmid. The strain is said to be merodiploid for that region.
One type of cell produced during the life cycle of Cryptosporidium species
A cell that arrises from the outgrowth of a parent sprozoan. It can have either a sexual or asexual mode of replication.
Microbe that grow at intermediate temperatures (15-45°C)
A version of the DNA primary structure that is suitable for translation into protein
The sum total of all the biological reactions in a cell.
The detect and analysis of the entire collection of metabolites (small molecules) produced by a microorganisms or process during metabolism
The isolation, direct sequencing, and assembly of DNA into contiguous units. From this a complete (or nearly complete) sequence of organisms can be generated. This methods is used to take a microbial census of environments without the need for culturing.
That period in the cell cycle in eukaryotes where the chromosomes condense.
A microorganism that produces methane as a metabolic product
The process of producing methane
Microbes that produce methane (CH4) as an end product of their catabolism.
Microbes that requires oxygen for their metabolism, but cannot survive at atmospheric concentrations of oxygen.
Single-celled organisms, typically too small to be seen by the naked eye.
An area, often a lake or ocean, containing a large population of microorganisms. This population is often visible to the naked eye and is much higher than the normal microbial population. Blooms normally occur when a limiting nutrient suddenly is found at high concentrations
Sediments that form from thick biofilms of microorganisms. These mats can be several cm thick or more and often have chemical and physical gradients running through them. Because of this they will support different types of microbes at different depths.
The study of organisms that can exist as single cells, contain a nucleic acid genome for at least some part of their life cycle, and are capable of replicating that genome.
Smaller structures produced by some fungi that bear asexual spores
A male gamete for the malaria parasites, Plasmodium vivax, P. falciparum, P. ovale and P. malariae
A precursor cell to the zygote for Cryptosporidium parvum. This cell will mate with a macrogamont to form a zygote.
Ciliate protozoa have two nuclei. The micronucleus is involved in inheritance and sexual reproduction. . The other nucleus is called the macronucleus
Nutrients required in low concentrations (0.1-1.0% of the cells dry weight). Micronutrients include Ca, K, Mg, and Fe.
Hand held tools capable of measuring very small volumes. Various micropipettes can dispense volumes ranging from 0.1 l to 5000 l.
Hollow cylindrical structures that are 20-25 nm in diameter containing tubulin as the major structural protein. They are involved in moving items around eukaryotic cells and in the cell cytoskeleton.
The lowest concentration of a compound that still inhibits its growth
The minimum concentration at which a compound is lethal to a microorganism
A chemically defined medium that provides the minimal number of chemicals to provide a cells nutritional requirements.
A growth medium that contains the minimal requirements for a species to grow. All minimal medium is chemically defined medium.
The lowest concentration of a compound that still inhibits its growth
A set of proteins in bacterial cells (though there are certainly counterparts in most other cell types) that scan the DNA for base pairs that are not normal. The abnormality might be because the two bases do not match or because of extra chemical modifications on a base. This scanning typically follows along the DNA replication fork, so it removes the base of the aberrant pair that is on the newly synthesized strands.
A type of base substitution mutation that causes an amino acid to be inserted at that codon that differs from that in the wild type.
A mutation that changes a codon such that it now causes the insertion of another amino acid.
Eukaryotic organelles involved in energy generation through respiration.
Fungal structures in the Zygomycota that produce asexual spores
A type of fermentation by certain members of the Enterobacteriaceae that produces acetic acid, succinic acid, formic acid, lactic acid, ethanol, CO2 and H2 as end products
Any piece of DNA that has the ability to cause itself to be moved to another place in the genome.
A replicon that carries a mob site, so that it can be moved during conjugation.
A enzyme that modifies DNA. This modification marks the DNA as self, preventing the complementary restriction system from cutting it and killing the cell.
An enzyme that chemically modifies another macromolecule. Typically, the substrate is another protein and the modification affects the activity of that protein.
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Proteins that guide the non-covalent folding or unfolding and the assembly or disassembly of other macromolecules. Some of these proteins create cages for other proteins to fold within.
Long-lived migrating phagocytic cells found in the bloodstream that eventually enter other tissues, and differentiate into macrophages.
A carbohydrate composed of one sugar unit. They are normally colorless and water soluble.
A sequence of protein that correlates with a particular biochemical activity. This might be several residues with a particular spacing between them that is found in many sites that bind ATP, for example.
Tissues of the immune system associated with mucosal surfaces
A chemical that increase the mutation rate in a specific organism.
Historically, this was a strain that is a derivative of the wild type but has a discernibly different phenotype. While this is still correct, it is now safer to say that it is a strain that is a derivative of the wild type but that has a change in its genotype.
Any change in the DNA sequence of an organism relative to that of the wild type of the species.
The process by which a lesion is converted into a base pair that is different from that found in the wild type, but is otherwise a normal base pair.
A symbiotic relationship where both members benefit
Mats of hyphae formed by microbes that grow filamentously. Commonly found in fungi and actinomycetes.
Mats of hyphae formed by microbes that grow filamentously. Commonly found in fungi and actinomycetes.
Fungi that form symbiotic relationships with plants roots
TBD
Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. An electron carrier involved in many oxidation reduction reactions in the cell
Small tubes made of carbon that form a hollow mesh just a few nanometers in diameter.
A growing polypeptide chain that is being synthesized on a ribosome
The upper throat behind the nose.
The area in the back of the throat behind the nasal cavity.
A type of immune cell present in the body that can attack foreign cells, but is not inducible
The property of certain wild-type organisms by which they take up DNA from their environment and incorporate some of that into their genome.
Any process that has the net result of lowering the expression of function of something in the cell. This is typically a decrease in gene expression, but might be at other levels including modification of protein activity.
Small worms that have unsegmented, cylindrical bodies, often narrowing at each end. Common parasitic forms include the hookworm and pinworm. Various species of nematodes are common in the environment.
Microbes that have optimum pH ranges from 5.0 to 8.0 for growth.
Short-lived phagocytic cells present in the body.
A common electron carrier in the cell. It shuttles electrons and hydrogens during many enzymatic reactions.
A cycle of reactions that convert nitrogen into various forms in the environment
The process of reducing nitrogen gas to ammonia. Microorganisms perform this reaction using nitrogenase.
Microbes capable of coverting nitrogen gas into ammonia. Only bacteria can perform this biochemical reaction.
Microbes capable of using nitrogen gas (N2) as a source of nitrogen. Microbes capable of this process use nitrogenase to reduce nitrogen gas to ammonia.
Genes involved in the process of nodulating plants
Bacteria that form a mutualistic relationship with plants. The bacteria infect the plant roots, causing the plant root cells to differentiate into a chamber that holds the bacteria, a nodule. Inside the nodule, the bacteria fix nitrogen for the plant. In return, the plant provides nutrients to the bacteria.
A small knob-like outgrowth created by leguminous plants to house nitrogen-fixing symbiotic bacteria.
The growth condition under which a conditional mutation displays its mutant phenotype.
A codon that signals to the ribosome that it should terminate translation.
A mutation that causes a codon in a protein to change to a stop codon, truncating the protein. These mutations got their name because they code for nothing or nonsense.
The typical inhabitants of a host organism that do not cause disease and in many cases contribute to the health and well-being of the host.
The typical inhabitants of a host organism that do not cause disease and in many cases contribute to the health and well-being of the host.
The region in bacterial cells where the chromosome is located. This region is not divided from the rest of the cell as in eukaryotes.
The base, sugar and phosphoryl group of nucleic acid.
The removal and proper replacement of about a dozen bases surrounding a defective one on one strand of DNA.
A nucleotide with a triphosphate - a precursor in nucleic acid synthesis.
The compounds that make up the building blocks of DNA and RNA. DNA is composed of adenosine, cytosine, guanine and thymine. Each of these bases is linked to a ribose sugar and a phosphate to make nucleotide monomer.
An organelle surrounded by a membrane that houses the chromosome of eukaryotes.
This number is derived by a complex mathematical equation looking at the light gathering power of the lens and the index of refraction of the medium between the lens and the specimen. It is a measure of the resolving power of the lens in question.
Elements or molecules needed by organisms for growth
Part of LPS. O antigen is attached to the core antigen and consists of repeating units of three to five sugars. The sugars present in O antigen will vary greatly, even within a single species
Microbes that require oxygen for growth and use it as their terminal electron acceptor.
Parasites that are absolutely dependent upon their target host for replication. They cannot grow outside of their host. All viruses and some bacterial pathogens are obligate parasites.
A term to describe an aquatic environment where nutrient concentrations are low..
Resting cells of several protozoa that allow them to survive in the environment
One phase of the malaria parasite. These cells grow only in mosquitoes
A complex formed between RNA polymerase and DNA just before polymerase begins transcription. It is an intermediary step that follows the binding of the promoter by RNA polymerase, and refers to opening of the DNA duplex before transcription initiates.
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An open reading frame is a stretch of DNA that have all the appropriate signals for DNA transcription and translation into a protein. This includes a recognizable promoter, a termination signal, a start codon, a stretch of codons of significant length, and a stop codon a.
A term used in molecular microbial ecology to group a set of closely related organisms. This is often defined as high sequence similarity, often of their 16S rRNA gene.
The stie on the DNA in an operon where the repressor binds.
One or more genes that are typically co-transcribed. They are often controlled by a regulator, such as a repressor or activator protein. Often these genes will encode proteins that carry out a specific function, such as catabolism of lactose or synthesis of tryptophan.
Macromolecules, such as complement and antibodies, that bind to pathogens and help increase the efficiency of phagocytosis.
The process of enhancing the binding of phagocytes
A measurement of the turbidity of a culture that depends upon the portion of light scattered by the culture.
A region of DNA that, based on sequence analysis, has the apparent properties of encoding a protein, such as a good start codon, stop codon and reasonable length.
Organized, membrane enclosed structures, such as mitochondria, chloroplasts and nuclei, inside eukaryotic cells that perform some function.
An organotroph obtains its electrons from organic compounds.
The site on a DNA replicon, typically the chromosome, at which bidirectional replication begins.
The site of where the replication of a replicon begins, which has different specific terms for different replicons.
The place where replication starts. This is a special sequence in the DNA recognized by the replication machinery.
(oriT) A short DNA sequence that tags a piece of DNA as being transferrable. The transfer system, the proteins that enable conjugation, recognize oriT and will transfer the DNA associated with it to the recipient.
A molecule containing P, covalently bound to four oxygen molecules. The chemical formula is H3PO4
Diffusion of fluid through a semipermiable membrane from an area of high concentration to an area of low concetration.
Photosynthesis that generate oxygen
A sequence in DNA that has the same sequence when read in either direction.
A organisms that lives benefits from an association with another organism and in doing so does its host harm
Of. or relating to a parasite
An organism that gains nutrients, shelter at the hosts expense.
The arrangement of lenses in a microscope such that when one objective lens is in focus, all other lens are also in focus. Thus is one focuses a specimen with the 10X objective, it is also in focus when the 40X objective is brought in line. Due to the narrower focal plane, some minor adjustment may be needed when increasing magnification.
A heating process that raises the temperature of a substance, most often a food or beverage, to kill pathogenic microorganisms in it. Original heat treatments were for 66 °C for 30 minutes, but modern treatment are at higher temperatures for shorter time periods (72°C for 15 seconds)
An organism that causes disease in another organsim
The ability to cause disease in another organism.
The degree to which an organisms can cause disease
An enzymatic reaction where temperature stable DNA polymerase, DNA primers, dNTPs and a DNA template are mixed together. A three step temperature cycle is used to denature, anneal primers to and then copy the DNA. The first step at near 95C causes the double stranded DNA template to denature. The second step at near 55C allows the primers to anneal to the DNA template. In the third step at 72C, DNA polymerase copies the template. This process is repeated from 25-50 times, resulting in a large amplification of the template DNA.
Bacterial proteins that bind penicillin. These normally are involved in bacterial cell wall synthesis.
A complex polymer composed of N-acetyl glucosamine and N-acetyl muramic acid. These two sugars are combined to form a long chain that is then cross-linked with other -NAG-NAM- polymers to make a very strong mesh. This structure is part of the cell wall of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.
Infection of the various supporting structures of the teeth, due to prolonged periods of plaque formation. The most common form of this disease is gingivitis, an inflammation of the gums.
The space between the cytoplasmic and outer membranes in gram-negative bacteria or the space between the cytoplasmic membrane and the peptidoglycan in gram-positive bacteria.
The growth condition under which a conditional mutation displays a wild-type phenotype.
Shallow glass or plastic containers about 7 cm in width with a transparent cover. The cover is a few mm wider and fits over the plate, thus protecting it from microbes in the air.
A measure of the hydrogen ion concentration of a solution. The pH is equal to the negative log of the hydrogen ion concentration. pH = -log10[H+].
A dye or other compound that changes characteristics based upon the pH of a solution.
A virus that infects prokaryotes.
Immune cells in the body that ingest pathogens and kill them.
The process of ingesting a particle into a cell by invagination of a membrane and then digesting it by fusion with a lysosome.
The vesicle that results after a phagosome fuses with a lysosome. The contents of the lysosome typically rapidly inactivate and digest everything inside the phagolysosome after fusion.
The vesicle that develops after phagocytosis that contains the ingested particle.
The behavior or appearance of a strain
Enzymes the degrade phospholipids.
A nutritional classification where the microbe gets its energy from light, its carbon from CO2 and its electrons from inorganic sources
A nutritional classification where the microbe gets its energy from light, its carbon from CO2 and its electrons from inorganic sources
A nutritional classification where the microbe gets its energy from light, its carbon from organic chemicals and its electrons from inorganic sources
A nutritional classification where the microbe gets its energy from light, its carbon from organic chemicals and its electrons from organic chemicals
A nutritional classification where the microbe gets its energy from light, its carbon from organic chemicals and its electrons from organic chemicals
A process of generating ATP that depends upon light.
Photopigments are light-absorbing, unsaturated, small molecules involved in photosynthesis.
Organic molecules produced by photosynthetic organisms that are used to absorb light and generate high-energy electrons during photosynthesis.
A repair system that rep[airs certain forms of DNA damage caused by UV light and this requires the presence of light for its action.
Movement toward or away from light
A phototroph uses light as its source of energy.
The primary subdivision of a taxonomic kingdom. This is often the top level grouping that is described when characterizing phylogenetic groups in an environment.
The evolutionary development and history of a groups organisms or a species
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Proteinaceous rod-shaped, structures that protrude from the cell. Pili are used by microorganisms to attach surfaces and one method for exchanging DNA (conjugation).
Hollow glass tubes with volume markings on them used to measure and dispense liquids. Pipettes come in sizes capable of measuring 0.1 to 25 ml.
Typically, a visible clearing in a lawn of bacteria caused by lysis by a phage, though the term can also be applies to a similar effect with certain eukaryotic cultures and their viruses.
The non-cellular portion of the blood that contains a large assortment of proteins, including immune proteins.
A piece of DNA capable of autonomous replication in the cytoplasm.
Any mutation that affects only a single base in the genome. This could be a base substitution or a frameshift mutation.
The property of a mutation that decreases the expression of genes that are downstream in the same operon. This might be because the mutation directly stops transcription by the introduction of a transcriptional termination signal or does so indirectly by creating a stop codon.
The mRNA from a multi-gene operon.
An enzymatic reaction where temperature stable DNA polymerase, DNA primers, dNTPs and a DNA template are mixed together. A three step temperature cycle is used to denature, anneal primers to and then copy the DNA. The first step at near 95C causes the double stranded DNA template to denature. The second step at near 55C allows the primers to anneal to the DNA template. In the third step at 72C, DNA polymerase copies the template. This process is repeated from 25-50 times, resulting in a large amplification of the template DNA.
A general term given to neutrophils, eosinophils and basophils. The first half of the name describes the appearance of the nucleus that seems to be split into a number of different lobes. The rest of the name comes from the appearance of the cytoplasm, which looks speckled.
Two or more nucleic acid monomers that are covalently linked.
A polymer of two or more amino acids linked by peptide bonds.
Granules observed in some cells that function as a phosphate reserve.
A large protein that is then processed by proteases after translation to form a number of functional proteins. These are sometimes observed in (+) sense single stranded RNA viruses.
Polymers of sugars
Any process that has the effect of increase the activity of something. Typically this is an increase in transcription of a region, but the term can also be applied to direct effects on a proteins activity.
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Any regulatory mechanism that modulates the activity of an enzyme directly. This might be by covalent modification of that protein or through allostery.
See lesion.
Static agents that are added to food and medical supplies to inhibit microbial growth and are safe to consume.
Metabolites that are formed while a microbe is actively growing.
A organism in an environment that creates biomass from inorganic sources. In many terrestrial environments, the primary producer will be plants. In the oceans, the primary producer is cyanobacteria. Both share the property of being photosynthetic organisms. However, this is not always the case. For example, in deep sea ocean vents, chemolithotrophic bacteria are the primary producers.
The sequence of monomers in a polymer. Most often applied to the sequence of amino acids in a protein.
An oligonucleotide of 10-20 bp that can serve as a primer for the replication of DNA. Typically this refers to replication in vitro, by PCR, for example.
A normal protein that causes disease when it changes to an abnormal conformation.
A short single stranded DNA used to detect the presence of a compatible DNA sequence in a solution.
The molecules and elements that are the result of a chemical reaction.
An organism lacking a nucleus. Bacteria and Archaea fall into this category.
DNA sequences that serve as sites of transcription initiation.
A groups of hormone-like substances produced by the body that regulate a wide range of physiological functions, including blood pressure, contraction of smooth muscle and inflammation.
A long thin extension of the bacterial cell wall that protrudes into the environment. These increase the surface are of the microbes and can also serve in attachment to surfaces.
Covalently attached cofactors on enzymes. These include hemes, iron-sulfur centers and chlorophylls
a polymer of amino acids. Many proteins are enzymes while others form structures in living things.
Capable of growing on proteins, peptides or amino acids as their primary carbon and energy source.
The analysis of the range and amounts of the accumulated proteins in a cell. This information provides an insight into the metabolic actions of the cell at that time.
Small unicellular eukaryotes that were of the kingdom Protista and included protozoa, algae and slime molds. Protista is part of an older classification system and is no longer used by most biologists, but the general name is still in the vernacular.
Similar to cytoplasm. The part of the cell inside the cell membrane, but not including any organelles
A strain whose only organic requirement is for a carbon source.
A large group of small unicellular eukaryotes that are ubiquitous in the environment.
An intermediate in the assembly of a virus in the cell.
Microbes that grow best at temperatures below 15 °C.
Microbes that grow best at 15-40 °, but can also grow at temperatures below 15 °C
Another name for psychrophiles
A particular set of bi-cyclic organic compounds. Adenine and guanine are the biologically significant purines.
Male spores, analogous to pollen, that are produced by some fungi, especially rust. Contact with a receptive hyphae of a different mating type will result in fertilization and the creation of a dikaryotic fungus that will continue the life cycle.
A particular set of unicyclic organic compounds with uracil, thymine and cytosine being of greatest biological significance.
Fever inducing.
Molecules that cause fever. These can be foreign molecules such as endotoxin, or host produced molecules such as IL-2.
The isolation of contagious individuals to prevent them from spreading the disease to others
A regulatory mechanism whereby microbes are capable of sensing their population and changing gene expression because of it. Quorum-sensing mechanisms are common in mutualistic and pathogenic microbes.
Synthesizing drugs based upon a knowledge of the structure of an enzyme, especially its active site.
A structural conformation that is unstable and halfway between a substrate and a product in a reaction.
Any molecule, though typically a protein, that specifically binds another molecule. Often this is use as part of a sensing system by the cell, but the term is also used for the targets of pathogens on the surfaces of cells.
Any molecule that is created in vitro. Typically it refers to DNA molecules created through use of restriction enzymes or PCR.
A repair system in all cells that corrects may form of DNA damage by borrowing a strand of the same region from an unmutated copy in the cell and using that as a template to synthesize a normal region.
A reaction that results in the addition of electrons to a chemical. A reaction where hydrogens are added or oxygen is removed from a chemical.
To or more operons that are co-regulated at the level of gene expression, typically because they are regulated by the identical transcriptional factors.
Protein factors associated with the ribosome that recognize nonsense codons and react by terminating translation.
Any mechanism by which lesions in DNA are repaired.
The complex of proteins that replicates DNA (or RNA, in the case of RNA viruses).
The specific complex of protein and DNA that exists where the replication complex is actively opening the DNA duplex and synthesizing complementary strands.
When DNA is replicated, it is opened up and forms a fork-like structure to allow the DNA replication apparatus in between the DNA strands.
The form of a virus or bacterium involved in replication. For viruses, this refers to the situation in normally single-stranded DNA or RNA viruses in which they form a double-stranded form as a substrate for replication. For chlamydia, this is the replicative body.
Any piece of nucleic acid capable of replication in a cell.
A molecule that is used to indicate the level of something in the cell. The typical case is a transcriptional reporter whereby the gene for an easily assayed protein is placed under the control of a specific promoter. the level of activity of the assayable protein in the cell is therefore an indication of promoter activity.
A protein tat, under some conditions, binds a specific DNA sequence and prevents the initiation of transcription of an adjacent gene. The term can also be used for the rare cases of proteins that bind to mRNA and inhibit their translation.
A protein in prokaryotes that cuts specific DNA sequences, as a way of blocking the invasion of the cell by foreign DNA.
The combination of a restriction enzyme that cuts certain DNA sequences and a modification enzyme that masks those sequences by covalent methylation. The latter event protects the cells own DNA from the effect of the restriction enzyme.
A mutational event in a mutant strain that restores its phenotype to one that is more like that of the wild type. This might involve the recreation of the wild-type genotype, or it might be by the creation of a suppressor mutation.
A strain that has undergone a reversion event.
A collection of distantly related species of microbes that inhabit the zone around plant roots.
One of the three RNA the form the structure of the ribosome.
The complex of RNA and protein that is the site of translation.
Medium that contains many different nutrients and normally will support the growth of a wide array of microbes.
Animals that contain a rumen. A rumen is a multi-chambered stomach that is capable of efficiently digesting plant material, such as grass or hay. Microorganisms play a major role in carrying out this process.
A term describing organisms that are capable of using sugars as their growth substrate.
Capable of growing on carbohydrates as their primary carbon and energy source
Referring to the concentration of salt in a substance. High salinity, meaning a high concentration of salt and low salinity meaning a low concentration of salt.
The treatment and disposal of sewage and waste with a major goal being the prevention of disease spread.
Viruses that cannot replicate on their own but require the presence of another virus that provides critical functions.
A multinucleated large cell that grows in the liver and is one of the first cells types present during infections with Plasmodium species that cause malaria.
The analysis of a population of cells for those with a particular phenotype or property. In this method, all cells in the population grow, but eh experimenter uses some method to find the desired cell type in that population.
Metabolites made after active growth had ceased.
The folding and twisting of local polymer sequences into higher order structures. Most often referred to when describing the structure of proteins and RNA.
A manipulation of a population of cells so that only those with the desired phenotype survive.
Medium that contains compounds that favor the growth of desired microbes and inhibit the growth of undesirable microbes.
Any sequence of DNA that manages to increase the number of copies of itself in the hosts genome. Typically this refers to transposons, but is not inappropriate for viral DNA and many plasmids.
The replication of only one strand of the DNA, as is the case in conjugation.
In prokaryotic cell division, the new wall in the cell whose synthesis leads to the separation of the two daughter cells. In fungi it also refers to the wall that divides cells in hyphae.
The clear, yellowish liquid obtained by separating whole blood into its solid and liquid components. Sera is what is left after removing all the solid material.
The leftover liquid when blood is allowed to clot. Immunoglobulins are a major constituent of serum.
In prokaryotes, this is a sequence in mRNA 5' of the start codon that is important in translation initiation. The sequence functions by forming base-pairs with a complementary sequence on the 16S rRNA.
Small molecules that bind metal atoms, typically iron, with extremely high affinity. These are synthesized and secreted from cells and then taken up after iron is bound. The siderophore is then iron apart to liberate the iron.
A protein that associates with RNA polymerase only during the act of transcription initiation. Its roles is to identify the proper region at which transcription is to begin. There are at least different sigma subunits in any cell, and each has distinct sequence preferences, though there can be some overlap.
Any small molecule that is recognized by cells as an indication of an environmental situation that demands a response. These molecules might be produced by the cell themselves, by other cells or simply be small molecules in the environment.
Sequence in nucleic acid that serve as recognition sites for regulatory or catalytic proteins. Signal sequences can also refer to a stretch of amino acids in a protein that direct it to certain compartments in the cell; the periplasm for example.
Hot, sulfur rich environments commonly found in areas of volcanic activity that support the growth of many extreme thermophiles.
A desperate response of bacterial cells to a region of DNA that cannot be read by DNA polymerase. The SOS response is a novel polymerase that simply adds random nucleotides to that region until a redabale section of template DNA is reached.
A definition of a type of microbe where the 16 S rRNA is 97% homologous. This is a working definition, and while not perfect, it allows a phylogenetic tree that makes sense.
A theory, that was popular since antiquity, that living things could spontaneously emerge from inanimate objects given the right conditions. Experiments by Louis Pasteur and Francesco Redi were most convincing in invalidating this hypothesis.
Arial hyphae produced by fungi of the Zygomycota that bear spores.
A spore-containing structure that is enclosed by a cell wall.
A resting cell made by many different types of microorganisms that allow them to survive harsh environmental conditions
One layer of a spore that is located outside the spore cortex. Most often used in reference to endospores.
A protective layer in endospores between the spore coat and spore cell wall.
A haploid spore produced by smuts. Smuts are fungi and are part of the Basidiomycota.
A cell type produced by protozoa of the Apicomplexa that function as a means to transmit the microbes between hosts
A genetic term referring to the frequency that a mutation reverts to the wild-type phenotype. Stable mutants do not easily revert.
A microbe or microbes that are used in a fermentation process to carry out a desired transformation of a product. They are grown to high numbers separately and then added to a prepared food to cause the fermentation to proceed.
The part of the growth curve in batch after active growth has ceased, but cells are not dying.
An undifferentiated cell of the body that is capable of producing a large number of progenitor cells. Stem cells are capable of differentiating into many different types of cells. Bone marrow stem cells produce the various cells of the immune system.
Disinfectants that are powerful enough to eliminate all forms of life in a defined area.
The process of removal of all forms of life in a defined area.
The stalk that supports the cap of a mushroom
A three-base sequence that is read in the normal translational reading frame and signals the termination of translation and the release of the nascent polypeptide. There are three stop codons in almost all cells and organelles: UAA, UAG and UGA.
Genetic approaches to modifying a strain to enhance a desirable property. For example, increasing antibiotic production in a strain.
Organisms that require oxygen for their metabolism.
Microbes that can only grow in the absence of oxygen
The starting molecule that is modified in a chemical or enzymatic reaction.
The production of ATP whereby the phosphate is obtained directly from the substrate and passed onto ATP
A group of microbes that oxidize sulfure compounds, often hydrogen sulfide (H2S) into sulfur and sulfate. These microbes are found in many different environments.
An antigen that can stimulate a large number of T cells due to incorrect binding to conserved regions on MHC molecules and T cell receptors.
The winding or unwinding of the DNA double helix compared to what it would be if the DNA was linear and therefore without tension. By convention, unwinding the helix is referred to as negative supercoiling and it is the typical form of most DNA in cells.
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Starting with a mutant strain that displays a mutant phenotype, any additional mutation that changes the phenotype to be like that of the wild-type strain is termed a suppressor (of the original mutation).
Svedberg is a unit of measure that indicates the rate of sedimentation of a compound when spun at high speed in an ultracentrifuge. The higher the Svedberg unit is, the faster a molecule sediments. Sedimentation coefficients were a common property to determine before it was possible to easily determine the sequence of macromolecules.
Two organisms in a mutually beneficial relationship - a symbiosis.
A relationship between to organisms
fatty acid oxidizing bacteria that produce H2 has as an end product. These microbes are important in the break down of decaying matter. They are also highly dependent upon H2 utilizing bacteria.
A potential allergic reaction where there is a system-wide reaction to an antigen and the release of large amounts of histamine by mast cells. Systemic anaphylaxis can be fatal if not dealt with quickly.
Protein molecules on T cells that bind to and react with antigen. The antigen is presented by an antigen presenting cell.
Lymphocytes that are involved in cell-mediated immunity and regulation of the immune system,
Also called T cells. Lymphocytes that are involved in cell-mediated immunity and regulation of the immune system,
The repilcative for of the protozoan pathogen Toxoplasmosis gondii
A short sequence found in the promoter regions of eukaryotes.
A form of a fungus based upon a sexual state.
Spores produced by rusts and smuts while in the dikaryotic state.
The ends of linear replicons in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. These have a special and complex structure because the ends need to be replicated even though there is no DNA 5' of one strand, as is typically required by DNA polymerase.
A phenotype that appears more wild-type at one temperature and more mutant at another temperature. While the temperature that causes the mutant phenotype might be the higher or lower of the two, typically, this term is used when the phenotype appears mutant at the elevated temperature. The reverse is often termed cold-sensitive.
A piece of DNA that serves as a guide for making copies of itself.
Sequences of DNA that are repeated at each end of transposons and insertion sequences. These are the regions recognized by the tranposase during transposition.
A sequence at the end of a gene that causes RNA polymerase to stop transcription. One type of terminator has a stretch of RNA that can complement and form a double-stranded loop. This is followed by a stretch of Us in the mRNA that has just been synthesized.
The site on any circular replicon where replication ceases. Typically this is where the two replication forks, transcribing in different direction from the origin of replication, meet.
The site on the DNA where replication ends.
The 3-dimensional structure of a single polypeptide or RNA molecule
the time it takes for a population of cells to reach 100 (effectively zero) at a given temperature.
Microbes that have optimal growth in hot acidic conditions
Microbes that have their optimal growth under hot, acidic conditions.
Microbes that have optimal growth rates at temperatures above 45°C
A pyrimidine base found only in DNA.
A tight mutant phenotype is one that is clearly distinct from the wild-type phenotype. A mutation with an indistinct mutant phenotype is termed leaky.
An inactivated exotoxin that can still raise an immune response and is protective for the toxin.
Nutrients required in very small amounts (<0.1%)
The process by which RNA polymerase separates the strands of the DNA duplex and begins to make an RNA copy of one strand.
A process where the RNA polymerase modifies the growing transcript, adding or deleting, bases to result in the correct protein. This phenomenon is seen in a number of cases in eukaryotes.
A sequence in the DNA that signals to a transcribing RNA polymerase that it should stop transcription and release the synthesized RNA.
The name for particles that look just like normal phage, but contain host DNA instead of viral DNA.
The process by which host DNA is moved from one cell to another by viruses. Typically this occurs in prokaryotes when a virus accidentally packages host DNA instead of its own and then injects that into another cell.
An RNA molecule of about 80 nucleotides that brings amino acids to the ribosome to be polymerized in the sequence defined by the mRNA. tRNA molecules have a complex structure with the anticodon at one end and the site of amino acid attachment at the other.
The process by which bare DNA is taken up by cells from the medium and retained. Some prokaryotes naturally perform this feat, while other need to be tricked into doing it by specific treatment of the cell.
Another name for a reaction intermediate. A unstable structural conformation that is "halfway" between the substrates and the products in a reaction.
The process of moving molecules across the cell membrane.
Bits of selfish DNA that move from place to place in the genomes of prokaryotes and eukaryotes. More formally, they are pieces of DNA the move by a transposition mechanism, which involves a bit of new DNA synthesis, and that carry genes unrelated to transposition.
One type of fat molecule where glycerol has three fatty acids attached to it by ester linkages.
A polymer of sugar made up of three monomers.
A protozoan, especially of the class Sporozoa, in the active stage of its life cycle.
An active cell type observed in the life cycle of several Trypanosoma species
The cloudiness of a solution. This is dependent upon the amount of light scattered by particles (typically bacteria) present in the solution.
A regulatory circuit that contains two components. A histidine kinase that senses an environmental signal and subsequently phosphorylates a response regulator. The response regulator then has its effect, often causing a change in gene expression.
An old method for the sterlization of medium. A liquid broth is boiled and cooled in succession, with the cooling interval being more that 3 hours. The first boiling eliminated most vegetative cells, while the second and third destroyed any endospores that may have germinated after the first boiling. This method has been superseeded in almost all modern laboratories by autoclaving.
A method of sterilization of liquids that involves several cycles of boiling and cooling to kill all microbes and endospores.
Protein tubes that allow pathogens to penetrate host cells and pump toxins and other enzymes directly into them.
A class of pili produced by some microbes that have been found to be involved in motility among other functions.
A system that allows a microbe to inject proteins into a host, often toxins and other compounds that harm the host cell.
The specific strain isolate that defines a given species. Essentially synonymous with the term "wild type."
An open sore on an internal or external surface. The term most often refers to sores in the stomach and upper part of the small intestine.
A genetic term referring to the frequency that a mutation reverts to the wild-type phenotype. Unstable mutants revert at a relatively high frequency.
A urinary tract infection.
Ultraviolet light. This is high energy light that can cause damage to living tissue including the alteration of DNA.
Antigens prepared from pathogens that can raise a protective immune response, yet do not cause illness
The variable region of an antibody that reacts with antigen.
A practice popular before the introduction of the smallpox vaccine where the liquid from the pustules of a smallpox victim, were scratched on the skin of a healthy patient, causing mild disease and immunity to smallpox
A membrane enclosed particle.
An estimate of the total number of bacteria in a sample determined by diluting the sample and plating on appropriate solid growth medium.
A minute projection from a mucous membrane, especially the numerous vacuolar projections of the small intestine.
A complete viral particle
Short pieces of RNA that can replicate inside host cells. These are common in plants.
A measure of the ability of a microbe to cause disease
Proteins and other macromolecules made by microbe that make it able to cause disease.
Particles capable of causing disease in animals, plants or bacteria that consist of nucleic acid enclosed in an outer shell made of protein, lipids or both.
Particles capable of causing disease in animals, plants or bacteria that consist of nucleic acid enclosed in an outer shell made of protein, lipids or both.
Small organic molecules used in metabolism to catalyze reactions. These compounds are normally associated with enzymes and help them to carry out their necessary reactions.
Water that has been used for some purpose, cleaning, showering, cooking, etc. Wastewater can come from residential as well as industrial sources.
A measurement of how much free water is available to carry out necessary reactions in a cell
When referring to an organism, it is the specific strain that was chosen as the reference strain for the species, typically the first isolate. The genotype and the phenotype of that strain are also referred to as the wild-type genotype and phenotype for the species.
When referring to an organism, it is the specific strain that was chosen as the reference strain for the species, typically the first isolate. The genotype and the phenotype of that strain are also referred to as the wild-type genotype and phenotype for the species.
There are fewer tRNAs in most organisms than there are codons, so Crick proposed that the interaction between bases at the third (3') position of the codon and the first (5') position of the anticodon on the tRNA followed different rules than the A-T and G-C base pairing in DNA. The suggestion was that a C in that position in the anticodon could "wobble" and pair with either a G or A in the third position of the codon, while a U in the same position could pair with either
Organisms that grow best in dry environments.
The vascular tissue in plants that conducts water and dissolved nutrients from the roots.
A spore containing compartment found in Chytrids (a type of fungus)
Spores that are motile by flagella. Produced by Oomycetes and Chytrids
Spores produced by fungi of the Zygomycota
A diploid cell formed by the union of two gametes.