University:
Winston-Salem Forsyth County Schools
Course:
AP Biology
Academic year:

2014
Views:

421

Pages:

2
Author:

Humberto Bell

Com paring M icrobes Microbe - a tiny organism that can be seen only with a microscope. Single celled protist (or unicellular protist) are called microbes. Virus - a particle that consists of a nucleic acid enclosed within a protein shell that requires a living cell in order to reproduce. DNA - (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) is the nucleic acid responsible for carrying the genetic information of most organisms from one generation to the next. RNA - (Ribonucleic Acid) is a nucleic acid used by most organisms for protein synthesis. Capsid - the protein shell that surrounds a virus. Prokaryote - a unicellular organism that lacks a true nucleus and membrane-bound organelles. Prokaryotes are commonly called bacteria. Cell Wall - a rigid structure that supports and protects the cell, also allows substances to go in and out of the cell in plants. Eukaryote – organisms whose cells have a true nucleus and membrane-bound organelles. Disease – any change that disrupts the normal function of one or more body systems. 1 2 Noninfectious Disease - diseases that are not spread from one organism to another (such as inherited traits that cause diseases). Pathogen – any microbe that causes a disease or diseases. Infectious Disease - any disease that is caused by a pathogen. Contagion – an infectious disease or infectious diseases that can be transmitted or spread from one organism to another. Viral Replication - the process that occurs when a virus begins to make more viruses. Lysogenic Cycle – a process in which viral DNA is added to the chromosomes o the host cell. Once added to the cell, the viral DNA becomes part of the cell’s DNA and is copied each time the cell divides. Mutagen – anything that changes the DNA of an organism (example: a virus that enters the lysogenic cycle is a mutagen). Lytic Cycle – a process where the viral DNA or RNA can direct the production of toxic chemicals to damage or kill the cell. This is a very dangerous cycle for cells trying to fight off disease. Parasite – an organism that lives and eats off of another organism. In most cases parasites will not kill the host, but they can sicken or weaken the host.