prokaryotic
Without membrane-bound nucleus
Prokaryotic describes organisms whose cells lack a membrane-bound nucleus—bacteria and archaea.
In prokaryotic cells, genetic material floats freely in the cytoplasm rather than being enclosed in a nuclear envelope.
The term contrasts with eukaryotic, which describes cells with defined nuclei: Prokaryotic organisms dominated Earth for billions of years before eukaryotes evolved.
Prokaryotic chromosome region
- ribosomeProtein synthesis site
- plasmidSelf-replicating DNA circle
- cytoplasmGel surrounding the nucleus
- capsuleEnclosed dose container
flagellum · plasma membrane · cell wall · phospholipid · outer membrane
Asexual splitting into two
- conjugationVerb form variation system
- transformationThorough change in form
- transductionSignal or energy transformation
- cell divisionParent splitting into offspring
One cell only
- microscopicToo small for eyes
- asexualWithout erotic attraction
- simpleFree of complexity
- ancientVery old indeed
ubiquitous · diverse · planktonic · sessile · colonial · free-living · symbiotic
Cylindrical bacterial cell
- endosporeBacterial dormancy structure
- biofilmAdhesive layer of microorganisms
- pathogenicCausing disease
- commensalHarmless biological freeloader
cyanobacteria · spirochete · mycoplasma · streptococcus · staphylococcus · lactobacillus · salmonella · vibrio
Self-nourishing organism
- heterotrophOrganism needing organic food
- nitrogen fixationConverting inert gas to ammonia
- chemotaxisMovement toward chemical cues
- fermentationMicrobial sugar conversion
anaerobic · aerobic · respiration · biosynthesis · denitrification · nitrification
nucleoid
Prokaryotic chromosome region
- ribosomeProtein synthesis site
- plasmidSelf-replicating DNA circle
- cytoplasmGel surrounding the nucleus
capsule · flagellum · plasma membrane · cell wall · phospholipid · outer membrane
binary fission
Asexual splitting into two
- conjugationVerb form variation system
- transformationThorough change in form
- transductionSignal or energy transformation
cell division · daughter cells · clonal · asexual reproduction
unicellular
One cell only
- microscopicToo small for eyes
- asexualWithout erotic attraction
- simpleFree of complexity
ancient · ubiquitous · diverse · planktonic · sessile · colonial · free-living · symbiotic
bacillus
Cylindrical bacterial cell
- endosporeBacterial dormancy structure
- biofilmAdhesive layer of microorganisms
- pathogenicCausing disease
commensal · cyanobacteria · spirochete · mycoplasma · streptococcus · staphylococcus · lactobacillus · salmonella · vibrio
autotroph
Self-nourishing organism
- heterotrophOrganism needing organic food
- nitrogen fixationConverting inert gas to ammonia
- chemotaxisMovement toward chemical cues
fermentation · anaerobic · aerobic · respiration · biosynthesis · denitrification · nitrification
extremophile
Life in harsh conditions
- thermophileHeat-adapted living thing
- cellscells, blood cell, cell theory, nerve cell, red blood cell
- microbiologybacteria, bacterium, microbe, microbes, microorganisms
- cell termscellular, cytoplasmic, nuclear, mitotic, eukaryotic
- cell partsnucleus, cytoplasm, mitochondria, ribosomes, cell membrane
prokaryoticeukaryotic
Having organized nuclear membrane
nucleated · compartmentalized · multicellular · membrane-bound