More terms and concepts 9/19/13

This came up today (and technically, there is a difference):

Zoonotic diseases: Zoonotic diseases are transmissible between different VERTEBRATES Vector-borne diseases: Vector-borne diseases are spread by invertebrates, and may affect multiple species. Major categories of microbes: Viruses: An infective agent that typically consists of a nucleic acid molecule in a protein coat, is too small to be seen by light microscopy, and is able to multiply only within the living cells of a host. Reproduction: Viruses cannot reproduce or express their genes without the help of a living cell. Once a virus has "infected" a cell, it will "marshal" the cell's ribosomes, enzymes and much of the cellular machinery to reproduce. Some viruses may remain dormant inside host cells for long periods, causing no obvious change in their host cells (a stage known as the lysogenic phase). When a dormant virus is stimulated, it enters the lyticphase: new viruses are formed, self-assemble, and burst out of the host cell, killing the cell and going on to infect other cells. When found outside of host cells, viruses exist as a protein coat or capsid, sometimes enclosed within a membrane. The capsid encloses either DNA or RNA which codes for the virus elements. Viruses cause a number of diseases in eukaryotes. In humans, smallpox, the common cold, chickenpox, influenza, shingles, herpes, polio, rabies, Ebola, hanta fever, and AIDS are examples of viral diseases. Because viruses can transfer genetic material between different species of host, they are extensively used in genetic engineering. Viruses also carry out natural "genetic engineering": a virus may incorporate some genetic material from its host as it is replicating, and transfer this genetic information to a new host, even to a host unrelated to the previous host. This is known as transduction.

Bacteria: A member of a large group of unicellular microorganisms that have cell walls but lack organelles and an organized nucleus, including some that can cause disease. Usually consisting of one cell, smalled living thing on earth besides some viruses.

Today, bacteria are classified in the kingdom Procaryotae. This term refers to the fact that bacteria consist of prokaryotic cells, cells that do not contain a nucleus. Bacteria are generally classified into three groups based on their shape. They are described as spherical (coccus), rodlike (bacillus), or spiral or corkscrew (spirochete [pronounced SPY-ruh-keet] or spirilla). Some bacteria also have a shape like that of a comma and are known as vibrio. VOCAB LIST:

Aerobic bacteria: Bacteria that need oxygen in order to live and grow. Anaerobic bacteria: Bacteria that do not require oxygen in order to live and grow. Bacillus: A type of bacterium with a rodlike shape. Capsule: A thick, jelly-like material that surrounds the surface of some bacteria cells. Coccus: A type of bacterium with a spherical (round) shape. Decomposers: Bacteria that break down dead organic matter. Fimbriae: Short, hairlike projections that may form on the outer surface of a bacterial cell. Fission: A form of reproduction in which a single cell divides to form two new cells. Flagella: Whiplike projections on the surface of bacterial cells that make movement possible. Pasteurization: A process by which bacteria in food are killed by heating the food to a particular temperature for some given period of time. Pili: Projections that join pairs of bacteria together, making possible the transfer of genetic material between them. Prokaryote: A cell that has no distinct nucleus. Spirilla: A type of bacterium with a spiral shape. Spirochetes: A type of bacterium with a spiral shape. Toxin: A poisonous chemical.

Vibrio: A type of bacterium with a comma-like shape. Reproduction:

Bacteria most commonly reproduce by fission, the process by which a single cell divides to produce two new cells. The process of fission may take anywhere from 15 minutes to 16 hours, depending on the type of bacterium.

Some bacteria are used to supply products that improve human life, others cause disease, while still others have no overall affect at all on human life. Fungi: Any of a group of unicellular, multicellular, or syncytial spore-producing organisms feeding on organic matter, including molds, yeast, mushrooms, and toadstools. About 1.5 million species of fungi (we know 100,000)! By breaking down dead organic material, they continue the cycle of nutrients through ecosystems. Feast on the reamins of almost all organisusms on the planet (convert matter back into soil). . Pasture first dicoverd that yeast decomposed sugars to get energy. Secret powerfull enzymes that break complex molecules into smaller organic compunds that they use to feed, grow, and reproduce. Most multi cellular fungi contain networks of tiny tubular filaments called hyphae that grow through/within what they are feasting on. (interwoven mass of hyphae is called the mycelium, very densely packed) Organizing them by how they intereact: Decomposers: Break down dead stuff Mutualits: Form benificial relationships with other organisums with specialized hypae called Haustoria Mycorrizae: Mutualistic relationships. Enormoiusly important in natual ecosystems. Pradroty fungi: Activly capture prey with their hypae.

Reproduce: Any way they can, sexually or asexualy. Most reproduce by producing enormous numbers of spores. Mating Type (not different sexes) Ascocarpes: What you pick in the forest. Parasites: An organism that lives in or on another organism (its host) and benefits by deriving nutrients at the host's expense.

(How much in-depth you want to go with each of the above is up to you. My recall of the

complex morphology of these is pretty dim!)

Some basic questions to consider:

How do they reproduce?

Where are the organisms found?

How do they infect? Are all of these microbes harmful?