Prokaryotes Overview

Front

What are the three domains of life?

Back

Bacteria, Archaea, Eukarya.

Front

What distinguishes Bacteria from Archaea?

Back

Bacteria have peptidoglycan in their cell walls; Archaea do not.

Front

What is the importance of prokaryotes?

Back

Good: Help digest food, make vitamins, fix nitrogen, decompose dead things, used in medicine and food. Bad: Some cause diseases.

Front

How are prokaryotes studied?

Back

Grown in labs, studied with microscopes, DNA analysis.

Front

What are the three ecological categories of extremophiles?

Back

Thermophiles, Halophiles, Methanogens.

Front

What are the shapes/types of Prokaryotes?

Back

Coccus (round), Bacillus (rod-shaped), Spirillum (spiral-shaped).

Front

What is the structure and function of the prokaryotic cell wall?

Back

Made of peptidoglycan; gives shape, protection, prevents bursting.

Front

What is the difference between Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria?

Back

Gram-positive: thick wall, stains purple. Gram-negative: thin wall + outer membrane, stains pink/red.

Front

Why are gram-negative bacteria generally more pathogenic?

Back

They have an extra outer membrane that resists antibiotics.

Front

Where do photosynthesis and cellular respiration occur in prokaryotic cells?

Back

Both occur in the cell membrane.