MicrobiologyLesson 1 of 4 in the course Prokaryotic Diversity

Prokaryote Ecology, Human Microbiomes, and Classification

5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 5 match pairs · 5 fill-in sentences · English

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Summary

Prokaryotes are remarkably widespread and adaptable. This lesson explores where they live and how their activities support ecosystems and affect human life.

Life is classified into three domains: Archaea, Bacteria, and Eukarya. Archaea and Bacteria consist of prokaryotes: organisms whose cells lack a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles. Prokaryotes are usually unicellular.

All flashcards

What is microbial ecology?
The study of interactions among microbial populations and between those populations and their environment.
What is metagenomic analysis?
Analysis of genetic material collected directly from a microbial community.
What is a microbiome?
The microorganisms associated with an organism or environment, together with their genetic material.
What is metabolic flexibility?
The ability to switch energy sources or metabolic pathways as conditions change.
What does ubiquitous mean when describing prokaryotes?
Found across many environments, including ordinary and extreme habitats.

Quiz questions

  1. Why can prokaryotic classification be challenging?Answer: They lack sexual reproduction and have few distinctive morphological traits.
  2. In amensalism, how are the two populations affected?Answer: One is harmed while the other is unaffected.
  3. What happens to Gram-negative bacteria during Gram staining?Answer: They lose crystal violet during decolorization and take up safranin.
  4. How can antibiotics make vaginal *Candida* overgrowth more likely?Answer: They can reduce resident *Lactobacillus*, allowing vaginal pH to rise.
  5. How does metagenomic analysis investigate a microbial community?Answer: It analyzes genetic material collected directly from the community.

Based on Microbiology by Nina Parker, Mark Schneegurt, Anh-Hue Thi Tu, Philip Lister, Brian M. Forster (OpenStax), licensed CC BY 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.

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