prokaryote

cover every imaginable surface. lives on and inside virtually all other living things. a cell type that doesn't have a true nucleus or membrane-bound organelles.

microbial mat

multi-layered sheet of prokaryotes. includes organisms from domain bacteria and archaeans.

extra cellular matrix

sticky substance secreted by prokaryotes in microbial matrix to hold together various tissues and cells in the body. Is comprised of prokaryotes that carry out different metabolic pathways causing their various colors.

hydrothermal vent

a breakage in the Earth's surface that releases geothermally heated water. Some prokaryotes rely on chemicals from these vents while others rely on sunlight.

stromalite

a sedimentary structure formed when minerals are precipitated out of water by prokaryotes in a microbial mat.

anoxic/anoxia

no molecular oxygen

anaerobic organisms

organisms that can grow without oxygen

phototrophs

autotrophic organisms that convert to solar energy into chemical energy

cyanobacteria

"blue-green algae" evolved from phototrophs. started oxygenation

extremophiles

bacteria and archaea that are adapted to grow under extreme conditions

kochs postulates

guidelines to identify organisms responsible for specific diseases.

viable-but-non-culturable (VBNC)

organisms that can't be cultured but aren't dead. Occurs when prokaryotes respond to environmental stressors by entering a dormant state that allows their survival.

resucitation

the prokaryotic can go back to "normal" when environmental conditions improve.

bio-film

a microbial community held together in a gummy-textured matrix that consists primarily of polysaccharides secreted by the organisms with some proteins and nucleic acids.