Bacteria and Viruses

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Bacteria Noun

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[bak-teer-ee-uh]

Back

Bacteria

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Microscopic, single-celled prokaryotic organisms that lack a nucleus and other complex, membrane-bound organelles.

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Example: This diagram shows the main parts of a single bacterium, including its DNA, ribosomes, flagellum for movement, and protective outer layers.

Front

Unicellular Adjective

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[yoo-ni-sel-yuh-ler]

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Unicellular

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Describing an organism that is composed of only one single cell for all of its life processes.

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Example: This image shows a bacterium, which is a complete living organism made of just one single cell, perfectly illustrating the concept of 'unicellular'.

Front

Prokaryotic Adjective

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[pro-kar-ee-ot-ik]

Back

Prokaryotic

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Describing a type of simple cell that lacks a true nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles.

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Example: This diagram shows a prokaryotic cell, a simple cell type like bacteria, which lacks a nucleus and has its genetic material in a region called the nucleoid.

Front

Eukaryotes Noun

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[yoo-kar-ee-ohts]

Back

Eukaryotes

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Organisms composed of one or more cells that contain a distinct, membrane-bound nucleus and other organelles.

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Example: This diagram shows that eukaryotes are a major group of life (Eukarya) that includes four main kingdoms: protists (Protoctista), fungi, plants (Plantae), and animals (Animalia).

Front

Bacilli Noun

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[buh-sil-ahy]

Back

Bacilli

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A classification of bacteria characterized by their distinctive rod-like or cylindrical shape.

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Example: This diagram shows the rod shape of a bacillus bacterium and labels its main parts, such as the cell wall, cytoplasm, and flagellum.

Front

Cocci Noun

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[kok-sahy]

Back

Cocci

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A classification of bacteria characterized by their round, spherical, or ovoid shape.

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Example: This diagram shows that cocci are spherical bacteria and illustrates their common arrangements, such as pairs (diplococcus), chains (streptococcus), and clusters (staphylococcus).

Front

Cell wall Noun

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[sel wawl]

Back

Cell wall

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A rigid outer layer found outside the cell membrane that provides structural support and protection to the cell.

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Example: This diagram shows the rigid cell wall that surrounds a plant cell, providing it with structure and protection. Other labeled parts include the nucleus and cytoplasm.

Front

Flagellum Noun

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[fluh-jel-uhm]

Back

Flagellum

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A long, whip-like appendage protruding from a cell body, which is used for locomotion.

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Example: This diagram shows a flagellum, a long tail-like structure that rotates like a propeller to move a cell, such as a bacterium.

Front

Heterotrophs Noun

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[het-er-uh-trohfs]

Back

Heterotrophs

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Organisms that cannot produce their own food and must consume other organisms for energy and nutrients.

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Example: This image shows that a heterotroph, like a person, must eat other organisms, such as the contents of a hamburger, to get energy.

Front

Asexual Reproduction Noun

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[ey-sek-shoo-uhl ree-pruh-duhk-shuhn]

Back

Asexual Reproduction

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A mode of reproduction involving a single parent, resulting in offspring that are genetically identical to that parent.

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Example: A single parent cell divides into two identical new daughter cells, a process used by bacteria to reproduce asexually.