BIOL 202 Chapter 3: Chapter 3: Concepts and Tools for Studying Microorganisms
7 Feb 2017
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Document Summary
Ecotype: a subgroup of a species that has special characteristics to survive in its ecological surroundings. Prokaryotic cells exhibit some remarkable and widespread behaviors. Prokaryotic cells carry out the same chemical processes as eukaryotic cells. Homeostasis: stable internal state that is attained through constant appropriate metabolic or structural adjustments. Bacteria can anticipate and prepare for future conditions to ensure homeostasis: bacteria demonstrate associative learning: experience is learned through association with a separate pre occurring experience. Bacteria must interact with one another and environment: they interact through chemical languages. 99% of bacteria live in biofilms: biofilms secrete proteins, sugars, and other substances where the bacterial cells are suspended. Bacterial cells, however, are not limited in their communication to other bacteria (biofilm): they can intercept chemical signals from other sources such as other species of microbes or cells of the immune system (human). Not all biofilms are harmful: they are used for bioremediation. Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells share similarities in organizational patterns.
