Explain the methods and significance of the Miller-Urey
experiment.
demonstrated that organic molecules, specifically amino
acids (the building blocks of proteins), could form
spontaneously from inorganic precursors under conditions
simulating early Earth
List some of the major characteristics used to distinguish
Archaea, Bacteria, and Eukaryotes.
cellular structure, membrane lipids, and genetic machinery
Methanogens.
single-celled Archaeathat produce methane (CH4) as a
metabolic byproduct in anaerobic environments. They are
essential to global carbon cycling, thriving in animal digestive
tracts
halophiles
salt-loving extremophiles—primarily Archaea, but also
bacteria and eukarya
thermoacidohiles
primarily Archaea, that thrive in hot, acidic environments,
typically at temperatures of 60--95∘C and pH levels of 0-3.
Describe bacterial reproduction
asexually through a rapid process called binary fission,
,Describe the three ways bacterial can increase their genetic
variation.
transformation (taking up DNA from the environment),
transduction (DNA transfer via viruses), and conjugation
(direct plasmid transfer between bacteria).
Describe the metabolism and ecological function of
Cyanobacteria.
occupy diverse ecological niches and exhibit enormous diversity
in terms of their habitats, physiology, morphology and metabolic
capabilities.
Describe diseases caused by Streptococcus pyrogenes
strep throat, scarlet fever, impetigo, cellulitis, necrotizing
fasciitis
Describe diseases caused by Staphylococcus aureus.
skin and soft tissue infections and serious internal infections
such as pneumonia, sepsis, food poisoning, MRSA
Describe the different types of food poisoning and list two
species that cause them.
bacterial infections, bacterial toxin ingestion, and viral
illnesses, with Salmonella and E. coli being major causes.
Describe the function of most antibiotics.
to treat bacterial infections by either killing bacteria directly
(bactericidal) or inhibiting their growth and reproduction
(bacteriostatic)
, Describe the pro's and con's of the popular usage of probiotics.
improved digestion, immune support, and restoration of gut
balance and the cons lack of FDA regulation, high cost, and
potential risks for immune-compromised individuals
Distinguish between viruses and prions.
Prions are infectious, misfolded proteins lacking any genetic
material (DNA/RNA), while viruses are infectious agents
containing genetic material encased in a protein coat
List and describe the stages of viral reproduction for a rubella
virus.
attachment, endocytosis, fusion, cytoplasmic RNA
replication, assembly in the Golgi complex, and release via
exocytosis
Antigenic drift
gradual accumulation of small genetic mutations in
influenza viruses
Antigenic shift
an abrupt, major change in an influenza A virus caused by
genetic reassortment or direct species jumps, creating a
novel subtype
List several prions and the species they infect.
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) in humans, bovine
spongiform encephalopathy (BSE/Mad Cow) in cattle,
scrapie in sheep, and chronic wasting disease (CWD) in
cervids