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Brock Biology of Microorganisms (15th ed)
UNIT 1 CHAPTER 1 Exam Study Guide.
Microbial Structure (ALL CELLS) - answer✔cytoplasm: suspension inside the cell
cytoplasmic membrane: permeability barrier
ribosomes: protein synthesis
Microbial Structure (PROKARYOTES) - answer✔cell wall: structural strength
nucleoid: contains the majority of genetic information
plasmids: genetic information separate from the nucleoid
Microbial Structure (EUKARYA) - answer✔Mitochondria: ATP/energy source
Nuclear Membrane: separate the chromosomes from the rest of the cell. The nuclear membrane
includes an array of small holes or pores that permit the passage of certain materials, such as
nucleic acids and proteins, between the nucleus and cytoplasm.
Nucleus: stores genetic information of the cell
Rough ER: protein production; in particular for export out of the cell
Smooth ER: Lipid production; Detoxification
Golgi apparatus: Protein modification and export
Why are microbes important to humans? - answer✔They are the basis for all life, they influence
many day to day interactions, and the human microbiome plays an immense role in human
health.
Why are microbes important for understanding the basis of life? - answer✔LUCA, and they were
the original life forms, and catalyzed evolution
What is a microbial colony and how is it formed? - answer✔A microbial colony is a group of
microbial cells derived from one cell that performed cell division and proliferates on nutrient
agar/natural nutrients.
, ©SIRJOEL EXAM SOLUTIONS
10/3/2024 9:54 PM
Microbial Activity (ALL CELLS) - answer✔Metabolism, growth, evolution
Catalytic metabolism - answer✔biosynthesis and energy
Metabolism - answer✔the combination of chemical reactions through which an organism builds
up or breaks down materials
Enzymes - answer✔proteins that act as biological catalysts
Genetic Metabolism - answer✔replication, transcription, translation
Transcription - answer✔the organic process whereby the DNA sequence in a gene is copied into
mRNA
Translation - answer✔Process by which mRNA is decoded and a protein is produced
Replication - answer✔process of copying DNA prior to cell division
Gene Expression - answer✔process by which a gene produces its product and the product carries
out its function, this and enzyme activity are heavily regulated to retain intercellular sensing
Evolution - answer✔Change in a kind of organism over time; the process by which modern
organisms have descended from ancient organisms.
Microbial Activity (SOME CELLS) - answer✔Motility, differentiation, intercellular
communications, HGT
Motility - answer✔Self-movement of a cell in response to an environmental factor
Differentiation - answer✔process in which cells become specialized in structure and function
intercellular communication - answer✔interactions between cells using chemical signals
horizontal gene transfer - answer✔The transfer of genes from one genome to another through
mechanisms such as transposable elements, plasmid exchange, viral activity, and perhaps fusions
of different organisms.
What are the universal cell structures? - answer✔· Cytoplasmic membrane
· Cytoplasm
· Ribosomes
· Genetic material
What are the universal cell processes? - answer✔· Metabolism