WGU C453 Microbiology Module 1
Endocytosis - ANSWER: the taking in of matter by a living cell by invagination (poking in) of its membrane to
form a vacuole.
Osmosis - ANSWER: diffusion of water across a selectively permeable membrane
Exocytosis - ANSWER: a process by which the contents of a cell vacuole are released to the exterior through
fusion of the vacuole membrane with the cell membrane.
Pleomorphism - ANSWER: variations in size and shape among cells of a single species
Lysozyme - ANSWER: an enzyme found in saliva and sweat and tears that destroys the cell walls of certain
bacteria
inclusion bodies - ANSWER: granules of storage material such as sulfur that accumulate within some bacterial
cells
Cytoplasm - ANSWER: A jellylike fluid inside the cell in which the organelles are suspended. about four-fifths
water and one-fifth substances dissolved or suspended in the water, including enzymes and other proteins,
carbohydrates, lipids, and a variety of inorganic ions. Many chemical reactions, both anabolic and catabolic,
occur in the cytoplasm.
Nucleoid - ANSWER: A non-membrane-bounded region in a prokaryotic cell where the DNA is concentrated.
Plasmid - ANSWER: A small ring of DNA that carries accessory genes separate from those of the bacterial
chromosome. May contain resistance genes that cause abx resistance.
microbial growth - ANSWER: increase in number of cells, not cell size
binary fission - ANSWER: type of asexual reproduction in which an organism replicates its DNA and divides in
half, producing two identical daughter cells
, Budding - ANSWER: A form of asexual reproduction of yeast in which a new cell grows out of the body of a
parent.
lag phase - ANSWER: A short period of time **prior to exponential growth of a bacterial population during
which no, or very limited, cell division occurs.
log phase - ANSWER: The period of exponential growth of bacterial population.
stationary phase - ANSWER: rate of cell growth equals rate of cell death caused by depleted nutrients and O2,
excretion of organic acids and pollutants
Decline phase - ANSWER: o Period of massive death, the population all dies off or some form protective spores
colony of bacteria - ANSWER: A cluster of cells or clone which arises from a single bacterium by asexual
reproduction
Acidophiles - ANSWER: grow in acidic environments 0.1-5.4
Neutrophiles - ANSWER: Neutrophiles exist from pH 5.4 to 8.0. Most of the bacteria that cause disease in
humans are neutrophiles.
Alkaliphiles - ANSWER: organisms that live above pH 8.5
Halophiles (halobacteria) - ANSWER: Anaerobic bacteria that thrive in environments with very high salt
concentrations
endospores - ANSWER: A thick-walled protective spore that forms inside a bacterial cell and resists harsh
conditions.
bacterial capsule - ANSWER: Sticky layer on some bacteria that allows it to adhere to surfaces making it
difficult to eradicate. Many disease-causing bacteria have capsules.
Endocytosis - ANSWER: the taking in of matter by a living cell by invagination (poking in) of its membrane to
form a vacuole.
Osmosis - ANSWER: diffusion of water across a selectively permeable membrane
Exocytosis - ANSWER: a process by which the contents of a cell vacuole are released to the exterior through
fusion of the vacuole membrane with the cell membrane.
Pleomorphism - ANSWER: variations in size and shape among cells of a single species
Lysozyme - ANSWER: an enzyme found in saliva and sweat and tears that destroys the cell walls of certain
bacteria
inclusion bodies - ANSWER: granules of storage material such as sulfur that accumulate within some bacterial
cells
Cytoplasm - ANSWER: A jellylike fluid inside the cell in which the organelles are suspended. about four-fifths
water and one-fifth substances dissolved or suspended in the water, including enzymes and other proteins,
carbohydrates, lipids, and a variety of inorganic ions. Many chemical reactions, both anabolic and catabolic,
occur in the cytoplasm.
Nucleoid - ANSWER: A non-membrane-bounded region in a prokaryotic cell where the DNA is concentrated.
Plasmid - ANSWER: A small ring of DNA that carries accessory genes separate from those of the bacterial
chromosome. May contain resistance genes that cause abx resistance.
microbial growth - ANSWER: increase in number of cells, not cell size
binary fission - ANSWER: type of asexual reproduction in which an organism replicates its DNA and divides in
half, producing two identical daughter cells
, Budding - ANSWER: A form of asexual reproduction of yeast in which a new cell grows out of the body of a
parent.
lag phase - ANSWER: A short period of time **prior to exponential growth of a bacterial population during
which no, or very limited, cell division occurs.
log phase - ANSWER: The period of exponential growth of bacterial population.
stationary phase - ANSWER: rate of cell growth equals rate of cell death caused by depleted nutrients and O2,
excretion of organic acids and pollutants
Decline phase - ANSWER: o Period of massive death, the population all dies off or some form protective spores
colony of bacteria - ANSWER: A cluster of cells or clone which arises from a single bacterium by asexual
reproduction
Acidophiles - ANSWER: grow in acidic environments 0.1-5.4
Neutrophiles - ANSWER: Neutrophiles exist from pH 5.4 to 8.0. Most of the bacteria that cause disease in
humans are neutrophiles.
Alkaliphiles - ANSWER: organisms that live above pH 8.5
Halophiles (halobacteria) - ANSWER: Anaerobic bacteria that thrive in environments with very high salt
concentrations
endospores - ANSWER: A thick-walled protective spore that forms inside a bacterial cell and resists harsh
conditions.
bacterial capsule - ANSWER: Sticky layer on some bacteria that allows it to adhere to surfaces making it
difficult to eradicate. Many disease-causing bacteria have capsules.
