Science
Antibiotic
A chemical that kills bacteria and other microorganisms, or slows their growth. Antibiotic. Antibiotics are medicines that help fight infections by targeting and eliminating harmful bacteria in the body.
Bacteria
A domain of unicellular prokaryotes with cell walls. Bacteria. Bacteria are single-celled organisms that can be found everywhere and play roles in processes like decomposition and digestion.
Bacteriophage
A virus that infects bacteria. Bacteriophage. A bacteriophage is a type of virus that specifically targets and destroys bacteria.
Binary fission
Asexual reproduction where one cell divides into two identical cells. Binary fission. It is a simple process by which single-celled organisms make an exact copy of themselves.
Capsid
The outer protein coat of the genetic material in a virus. Capsid. The capsid is a protective shell that surrounds and shields a virus's genetic material.
Conjugation
Sexual reproduction where two prokaryotic cells join to exchange genetic information. Conjugation. Conjugation is a process where bacteria share genetic material by connecting through a bridge-like structure.
Endospore
A thick-walled structure that protects the DNA of bacteria, this protects the DNA in unfavorable conditions. Endospore. An endospore is a tough, protective shell that allows bacteria to survive harsh conditions.
Flagellum
A long, tail-like structure that helps a cell to move. Flagellum. It's like a tiny propeller on certain cells that helps them swim, such as in sperm or bacteria.
Lysogenic cycle
Virus replication by a host cell, whose chromosomes have been infected by viral DNA. Lysogenic cycle. The lysogenic cycle is when a virus integrates its DNA into a host cell's genome, allowing the virus to be copied along with the host cell's DNA each time the cell divides.
Lytic cycle
Virus replication where a virus uses the host cells structures to replicate until the cell dies. Lytic cycle. The lytic cycle is when a virus makes copies of itself inside a host cell and then destroys the cell to release new viruses.
Obligate aerobe
An organism that cannot survive without oxygen. Obligate aerobe. An obligate aerobe is a living thing that needs oxygen to grow and thrive.
Obligate anaerobe
An organism that cannot survive in the presence of oxygen. Obligate anaerobe. An obligate anaerobe is a type of organism that lives and grows only where there is no oxygen.
Pathogen
A disease-causing agent, like a bacteria, virus, or parasite. Pathogen. A pathogen is anything that can cause disease in living organisms.
Prion
An infectious particle made up of protein instead of DNA or RNA. Prion. Prions are misfolded proteins that can cause diseases by triggering normal proteins in the brain to also misfold.
Prokaryote
A cell without a nucleus and other organelles, like bacteria, is called a prokaryote. Prokaryotes are simple, single-celled organisms without a nucleus.
Prophage
The DNA from a virus that is embedded in the bacterial hosts DNA. Prophage. A prophage is a viral DNA segment that integrates into a bacterium's genome, lying dormant until it can reproduce and spread.
Retrovirus
An RNA virus that uses reverse transcriptase to make DNA in a host cell. Retrovirus. A retrovirus is a type of virus that inserts its genetic material into the DNA of the host cell to replicate.
Toxin
A poison produced by one organism that harms other organisms. Toxin. In simple terms, a toxin is a harmful substance made by living things that can damage other living things.
Vaccine
A substance made of weakened or dead pathogens, it gives the body immunity against disease. Vaccine. A vaccine helps your body learn how to fight infections by introducing a harmless form of a germ, so you're protected if you encounter the real thing.
Viroid
An infectious agent composed of a single, circular strand of RNA, it infects plants. Viroid. Viroids are tiny infectious particles that cause diseases in plants by disrupting their growth.
Virus
Nonliving particle of DNA or RNA within a protein coat, it infects cells to reproduce. Virus. A virus is a tiny germ that needs to enter living cells to multiply and spread.
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