Microbiology Fundamentals - A Clinical Approach - Chapter 3
Ac n - Protein component of long filaments of protein arranged under the cytoplasmic membrane of
bacteria; contributes to cell shape and division.
Cell Membrane - A thin sheet of lipid and protein that surrounds the cytoplasm and controls the flow
of materials into and out of the cell pool.
Cell Wall - In bacteria, a rigid structure made of pep doglycan that lies just outside the cytoplasmic
membrane; eukaryotes also have a cell wall but may be composed of a variety of materials.
Chemotaxis - The tendency of organisms to move in response to a chemical gradient (toward an
a ractant or to avoid adverse s muli).
Conjuga on - In bacteria, the contact between donor and recipient cells associated with the transfer of
gene c material such as plasmids. Can involve special (sex) pili. Also a form of sexual recombina on in
ciliated protozoa.
Cytoplasm - Dense fluid encased by the cytoplasmic membrane; the site of many of the cell's
biochemical and synthe c ac vi es.
Endospore - A small, dormant, resistant deriva ve of a bacterial cell that germinates under favorable
growth condi ons into a vegeta ve cell. The bacterial genera Bacillus and Clostridium are typical
endospore formers.
Endotoxin - A bacterial toxin that is not ordinarily released (as is exotoxin). Endotoxin is composed of a
phospholipid-polysaccharide complex that is an integral part of gram-nega ve bacterial cell walls.
Endotoxins can cause severe shock and fever.
Fimbriae - Fine, hairlike bristles extending from the cell surface that help in adhesion to other cells and
surfaces.
Firmicutes - Taxonomic categary of bacteria that have gram-posi ve cell envelopes.
Ac n - Protein component of long filaments of protein arranged under the cytoplasmic membrane of
bacteria; contributes to cell shape and division.
Cell Membrane - A thin sheet of lipid and protein that surrounds the cytoplasm and controls the flow
of materials into and out of the cell pool.
Cell Wall - In bacteria, a rigid structure made of pep doglycan that lies just outside the cytoplasmic
membrane; eukaryotes also have a cell wall but may be composed of a variety of materials.
Chemotaxis - The tendency of organisms to move in response to a chemical gradient (toward an
a ractant or to avoid adverse s muli).
Conjuga on - In bacteria, the contact between donor and recipient cells associated with the transfer of
gene c material such as plasmids. Can involve special (sex) pili. Also a form of sexual recombina on in
ciliated protozoa.
Cytoplasm - Dense fluid encased by the cytoplasmic membrane; the site of many of the cell's
biochemical and synthe c ac vi es.
Endospore - A small, dormant, resistant deriva ve of a bacterial cell that germinates under favorable
growth condi ons into a vegeta ve cell. The bacterial genera Bacillus and Clostridium are typical
endospore formers.
Endotoxin - A bacterial toxin that is not ordinarily released (as is exotoxin). Endotoxin is composed of a
phospholipid-polysaccharide complex that is an integral part of gram-nega ve bacterial cell walls.
Endotoxins can cause severe shock and fever.
Fimbriae - Fine, hairlike bristles extending from the cell surface that help in adhesion to other cells and
surfaces.
Firmicutes - Taxonomic categary of bacteria that have gram-posi ve cell envelopes.
