prokaryotes
Cells lacking nuclei
Prokaryotes are single-celled organisms whose cells lack a nucleus and other membrane-bound structures.
Bacteria and archaea are prokaryotes, distinguished from eukaryotes (animals, plants, fungi) by their simpler cellular organization.
The term comes from Greek words meaning "before kernel"—these organisms evolved before cells developed nuclei.
Prokaryotes dominated Earth for billions of years before complex life emerged.
Prokaryotic chromosome region
- ribosomeProtein synthesis site
- plasmidSelf-replicating DNA circle
- cytoplasmGel surrounding the nucleus
- cell wallRigid cellular outer layer
capsule · flagella · binary fission · plasma membrane · endospore · inclusion bodies · chemotaxis · conjugation
Life from inanimate matter
- common ancestorOrigin point of descendants
- endosymbiosisOrganism living within another
- phylogenyEvolutionary relationships among organisms
- cladisticsClassification by common descent
ancient · primordial · 16S rRNA · stromatolites · fossil record · diversification · adaptation
Foodborne bacterial illness
- lactobacillusAcid-producing beneficial bacterium
- bacillusCylindrical bacterial cell
- streptococcusSpherical bacteria in chains
- staphylococcusSpherical bacteria in clusters
mycobacterium · listeria · cyanobacteria · pathogen · probiotic · microbiome · antibiotic · fermentation
Organisms surviving extreme conditions
- thermophilesOrganisms requiring high temperatures
- hydrothermal ventsSubmarine volcanic water jets
- salt lakesEnclosed waters with dissolved minerals
- anaerobicNot requiring oxygen
Self-nourishing organism
- heterotrophOrganism needing organic food
- anaerobicNot requiring oxygen
- aerobicRequiring free oxygen
- fermentationMicrobial sugar conversion
nitrogen fixation · chemosynthesis · decomposition · nitrification · denitrification · respiration · biosynthesis
Living organisms detoxify pollutants
- fermentationMicrobial sugar conversion
- insulin productionCreating blood sugar regulator
- biofuelFuel from organic sources
- recombinant DNALab-fused genetic sequences
gene expression · wastewater treatment · bioplastics · CRISPR · probiotics · food production · bioreactors · genetic engineering
nucleoid
Prokaryotic chromosome region
- ribosomeProtein synthesis site
- plasmidSelf-replicating DNA circle
- cytoplasmGel surrounding the nucleus
cell wall · capsule · flagella · binary fission · plasma membrane · endospore · inclusion bodies · chemotaxis · conjugation · transformation
abiogenesis
Life from inanimate matter
- common ancestorOrigin point of descendants
- endosymbiosisOrganism living within another
- phylogenyEvolutionary relationships among organisms
cladistics · ancient · primordial · 16S rRNA · stromatolites · fossil record · diversification · adaptation
salmonella
Foodborne bacterial illness
- lactobacillusAcid-producing beneficial bacterium
- bacillusCylindrical bacterial cell
- streptococcusSpherical bacteria in chains
staphylococcus · mycobacterium · listeria · cyanobacteria · pathogen · probiotic · microbiome · antibiotic · fermentation · decomposer
extremophiles
Organisms surviving extreme conditions
- thermophilesOrganisms requiring high temperatures
- hydrothermal ventsSubmarine volcanic water jets
- salt lakesEnclosed waters with dissolved minerals
anaerobic · domain · hot springs · deep-sea
autotroph
Self-nourishing organism
- heterotrophOrganism needing organic food
- anaerobicNot requiring oxygen
- aerobicRequiring free oxygen
fermentation · nitrogen fixation · chemosynthesis · decomposition · nitrification · denitrification · respiration · biosynthesis
bioremediation
Living organisms detoxify pollutants
- fermentationMicrobial sugar conversion
- insulin productionCreating blood sugar regulator
- biofuelFuel from organic sources
recombinant DNA · gene expression · wastewater treatment · bioplastics · CRISPR · probiotics · food production · bioreactors · genetic engineering · protein synthesis
- life formsorganisms, organism, lifeforms, animal, creatures
- cellscells, blood cell, cell theory, nerve cell, red blood cell
- Cladesmammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, insects
- microbiologybacterium, microbe, microbes, microorganisms, microorganism
- Early Earthprimordial soup, early life, abiogenesis, single-celled organisms, cyanobacteria
- Microbesbacterium, virus, mold, microbes, microbe