1. Chapter 19 Bacteria and Viruses

2. Bacteria are prokaryotes
Recently prokaryotes were split into two different groups; eubacteria and archaebacteria

3. Eubacteria: a very wide range of prokaryotes that can live almost anywhere
They have a cell wall for protection – the wall contains a carbohydrate for extra support
Some even have another membrane that sits outside the cell membrane

4. Archaebacteria: many live in very harsh environments
They lack the carb in their cell wall that eubacteria have
Their DNA is also more like eukaryotes than the DNA of eubacteria

5. Prokaryotes are identified by things like shape, their cell wall, movement, and they way they get energy
There are 3 main bacteria shapes; bacilli (rod-shaped), cocci (spherical), and spirilla (corkscrew-shaped)

6. There are 2 different types of cell walls; a Gram stain can be used to tell them apart
A Gram stain test uses 2 different dyes to tell if the cell wall contains a specific carbohydrate
Gram positive appears purple and means the cell wall has the carb
Gram negative appears pink and means the cell wall doesn’t have the carb

7. Some prokaryotes do not move, some are propelled by flagella, some spiral forward, some slide along in slime they secrete
Most prokaryotes are heterotrophs, but some are autotrophs
Photoautotrophs use light energy to make they energy the need (almost like plants)
Chemoautotrophs use carbon molecules from carbon dioxide to make the energy they need

8. Some bacteria need oxygen, while others are killed by it
Obligate aerobes must have oxygen
Obligate anaerobes cannot live with oxygen
Facultative anaerobes can live with or without oxygen

9. Bacteria can grow and reproduce in different ways
Binary fission = when a bacterium has grown large enough that it can replicate its DNA and split in two
Conjugation = when a hollow bridge forms between 2 bacteria so they can exchange genetic info

10. Bacteria can form spores  bacteria DNA gets surrounded by a thick cell wall
Spores can lay dormant until conditions are favorable for more growth – this lets bacteria survive harsh conditions
Anthrax

11. While we tend to think of bacteria as a bad thing, many bacteria are very useful
Uses include decomposition, nitrogen fixation, food production, helping humans produce vitamins, digestion of oil and poison, etc…

12. 19-2: Viruses

13. Viruses are particles of nucleic acid, protein, and sometimes lipids
Viruses can reproduce only by infecting living cells
They vary in terms of shape and size

14. A typical virus is composed of a core of DNA and RNA surrounded by a protein coat
Capsid = the protein coat
The proteins bind to the host cell and trick the cell into letting it in
Once the viral DNA is inside the cell it uses transcription and translation to create more proteins

15. Bacteriophages only infect bacteria
Most viruses are very specific to the type of cell they will infect

16. Once a virus is inside a cell, two things can happen
In a lytic infection, a virus enters a cell, makes copies of itself, and causes the cell to burst
In a lysogenic infection, a virus integrates its DNA into the DNA of the host cell, and the viral genetic info replicates along with the host cell DNA

17. A retrovirus contains RNA as its genetic code
Once a retrovirus enters a cell, it makes a DNA copy of its RNA
The new DNA gets inserted into the DNA of the host cell and can stay dormant for some time

18. Retroviruses can cause some types of cancer in animals
The virus that causes AIDS is a retrovirus

19. Comparison of viruses and bacteria
Characteristic
Virus
Cells (bacteria and others)
Structure
DNA or RNA core, capsid
Cell membrane, cytoplasm
Reproduction
Only within a host cell
Independent cell division
Genetic Code
DNA or RNA
DNA
Growth and development No
Yes
Obtain and use energy
Response to environment
Change over time

20. Viruses are not considered living even though they have many characteristics of living things
Viruses are considered parasites since they must infect a living cell to grow and reproduce

21. Diseases caused by Bacteria and Viruses
19-3:
Diseases caused by Bacteria and Viruses

22. Bacteria produce disease in one of two general ways
Some bacteria damage cells and the tissues of the infected organism directly by breaking down the cells for food
Ex. The bacterium that causes tuberculosis is inhaled into the lungs and destroys lung tissue
Some bacteria damage cells and the tissues of the infected organism directly by breaking down the cells for food
Ex. The bacterium that causes tuberculosis is inhaled into the lungs and destroys lung tissue

23. Other bacteria release toxins that travel throughout the body interfering with the normal activity of the host
Ex. The bacterium that causes strep throat releases toxins in the bloodstream  these can even cause scarlet fever.

24. Other examples of bacterial infections are lyme disease, tetanus, bacterial meningitus, and tooth decay
Many bacterial diseases can be prevented with vaccines
Antibiotics can be used to treat bacterial infections that have already occurred

25. Bacterial diseases can be seen in animals – many bacteria can affect both humans and animals
There are various methods used to control bacterial growth, including sterilization, disinfectants, and food processing
Ex. Anthrax

26. Like bacteria, viruses produce disease by disrupting the body’s normal equilibrium
In many viral infections, viruses attack and destroy certain cells in the body
Examples include the common cold, influenza, smallpox, AIDS, chickenpox, measles, and west nile

27. Viral diseases CANNOT be treated with antibiotics
The best way to protect against viral infections is with vaccines
Viruses can produce serious animal diseases also

28. Many viruses infect plants and cause serious threats to agricultural crops - ex. Tobacco mosaic virus and potato yellow dwarf virus