MICRO 290 Chapters 11, 12 & 13 | Microbiology Exam
Terms in this set (116)
What does coccus/cocci describe? Spherical bacteria.
What is a coccobacillus? Intermediate shape between coccus (sphere) and bacillus (rod).
What does bacillus/bacilli describe? Rod-shaped bacteria (like a cylinder/blimp).
What is Vibrio? Curved/comma-shaped rod.
What are spirilla? Thick, rigid spiral bacteria, often with flagella at each end.
What are spirochetes? Thin, flexible spiral bacteria with internal flagella; move by corkscrewing (e.g.,
Lyme disease, syphilis).
What does pleomorphic mean? Many shapes; a single species showing variable morphology (exotic shapes
common in Archaea).
Define diplo- arrangement. Pairs (e.g., diplococci, diplobacilli).
Define strepto- arrangement. Chains (e.g., streptococci, streptobacilli).
What is a tetrad? Group of four cocci.
What is a sarcina? Cube of eight cocci (2×2×2).
Define staphylo- arrangement and a memory trick. Irregular grape-like clusters (think "Grapes of Wrath" → "grapes of staph").
What are palisades/V-shapes (bacilli)? Side-by-side or V-shaped rod arrangements.
What is binary fission? DNA replicates, chromosomes separate, cross-wall forms, and cells split—
fast/simple division.
, MICRO 290 Chapters 11, 12 & 13 | Microbiology Exam
What is budding (seen often in yeast)? Outpouching (bud) forms; one chromosome enters bud; bud pinches off
(mother → daughter).
What is an endospore? A dormant, non-metabolic, highly resistant bacterial form that survives harsh
conditions for years.
Which genera form endospores? Bacillus and Clostridium.
Why are endospores medically important? Pathogens like Bacillus anthracis (anthrax) and Clostridium spp. (tetanus,
gangrene, C. diff) persist longer.
What is the spore cycle? Vegetative (growing) cell → unfavorable conditions → endospore; when
conditions improve → germination back to vegetative cell.
What is Bt toxin and why is it notable? Insecticidal protein from Bacillus thuringiensis; gene can be put into plants to
kill insect pests.
What molecule is commonly used to classify bacteria? rRNA sequences (ribosomal RNA) to build phylogenetic relationships.
Do Archaea have nuclei? No (prokaryotic).
Where do many Archaea live? Extreme environments (hot springs/volcanoes, ice, deep ocean), though some
are moderate.
What are cyanobacteria known for? Oxygenic photosynthesis; major primary producers in oceans.
What are purple sulfur bacteria known for? Photosynthesis using hydrogen sulfide; oxidize H₂S to elemental sulfur
(anoxygenic).
What are mycoplasmas notable for? Extremely small size/genomes, lack a cell wall, "fried-egg" colonies; can cause
pneumonias and STIs.
What are actinomycetes (actinomycetales) and why are Bacteria with filamentous, fungus-like appearance; produce reproductive
they important? spores; include Streptomyces (source of antibiotic streptomycin); can degrade
pollutants.
What is Caulobacter distinguished by? A stalk/holdfast (prostheca) for attachment; forms rosettes; swarming/attached
life cycle.
What is the plant-bacteria relationship in root nodules Mutualism: nitrogen-fixing bacteria provide ammonia/nitrates to the plant;
(e.g., legumes)? plant provides sugars and housing (nodules).
What is Pseudomonas (e.g., in clinical settings) best Opportunistic infections—especially in burn patients, cystic fibrosis, and
known for? immunocompromised individuals.
Terms in this set (116)
What does coccus/cocci describe? Spherical bacteria.
What is a coccobacillus? Intermediate shape between coccus (sphere) and bacillus (rod).
What does bacillus/bacilli describe? Rod-shaped bacteria (like a cylinder/blimp).
What is Vibrio? Curved/comma-shaped rod.
What are spirilla? Thick, rigid spiral bacteria, often with flagella at each end.
What are spirochetes? Thin, flexible spiral bacteria with internal flagella; move by corkscrewing (e.g.,
Lyme disease, syphilis).
What does pleomorphic mean? Many shapes; a single species showing variable morphology (exotic shapes
common in Archaea).
Define diplo- arrangement. Pairs (e.g., diplococci, diplobacilli).
Define strepto- arrangement. Chains (e.g., streptococci, streptobacilli).
What is a tetrad? Group of four cocci.
What is a sarcina? Cube of eight cocci (2×2×2).
Define staphylo- arrangement and a memory trick. Irregular grape-like clusters (think "Grapes of Wrath" → "grapes of staph").
What are palisades/V-shapes (bacilli)? Side-by-side or V-shaped rod arrangements.
What is binary fission? DNA replicates, chromosomes separate, cross-wall forms, and cells split—
fast/simple division.
, MICRO 290 Chapters 11, 12 & 13 | Microbiology Exam
What is budding (seen often in yeast)? Outpouching (bud) forms; one chromosome enters bud; bud pinches off
(mother → daughter).
What is an endospore? A dormant, non-metabolic, highly resistant bacterial form that survives harsh
conditions for years.
Which genera form endospores? Bacillus and Clostridium.
Why are endospores medically important? Pathogens like Bacillus anthracis (anthrax) and Clostridium spp. (tetanus,
gangrene, C. diff) persist longer.
What is the spore cycle? Vegetative (growing) cell → unfavorable conditions → endospore; when
conditions improve → germination back to vegetative cell.
What is Bt toxin and why is it notable? Insecticidal protein from Bacillus thuringiensis; gene can be put into plants to
kill insect pests.
What molecule is commonly used to classify bacteria? rRNA sequences (ribosomal RNA) to build phylogenetic relationships.
Do Archaea have nuclei? No (prokaryotic).
Where do many Archaea live? Extreme environments (hot springs/volcanoes, ice, deep ocean), though some
are moderate.
What are cyanobacteria known for? Oxygenic photosynthesis; major primary producers in oceans.
What are purple sulfur bacteria known for? Photosynthesis using hydrogen sulfide; oxidize H₂S to elemental sulfur
(anoxygenic).
What are mycoplasmas notable for? Extremely small size/genomes, lack a cell wall, "fried-egg" colonies; can cause
pneumonias and STIs.
What are actinomycetes (actinomycetales) and why are Bacteria with filamentous, fungus-like appearance; produce reproductive
they important? spores; include Streptomyces (source of antibiotic streptomycin); can degrade
pollutants.
What is Caulobacter distinguished by? A stalk/holdfast (prostheca) for attachment; forms rosettes; swarming/attached
life cycle.
What is the plant-bacteria relationship in root nodules Mutualism: nitrogen-fixing bacteria provide ammonia/nitrates to the plant;
(e.g., legumes)? plant provides sugars and housing (nodules).
What is Pseudomonas (e.g., in clinical settings) best Opportunistic infections—especially in burn patients, cystic fibrosis, and
known for? immunocompromised individuals.
