Flashcards on Comparison of bacteria, viruses and fungi
Comparison of Bacteria, Viruses, and Fungi: A Student Guide
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Microorganisms
22 cards
Card 1
Question: What are microorganisms?
Answer: Microorganisms are tiny living entities or agents that are too small to be seen with the naked eye.
Card 2
Question: Where can microorganisms be found?
Answer: They are ubiquitous, inhabiting nearly every environment on Earth, including soil, water, air, and within other organisms.
Card 3
Question: Why is understanding microorganisms important?
Answer: Understanding the fundamental differences between various types of microorganisms is crucial for fields such as medicine, public health, agriculture,
Card 4
Question: What is a key characteristic that makes viruses unique among microorganisms?
Answer: Viruses are acellular, meaning they are not composed of cells.
Card 5
Question: What does it mean that viruses are obligate intracellular parasites?
Answer: They can only replicate inside the living cells of other organisms.
Card 6
Question: How do viruses compare to bacteria or fungi in terms of structure?
Answer: Viruses are much simpler in structure than bacteria or fungi and are often considered to be on the border between living and non-living entities.
Card 7
Question: What are the components of a virus particle, or virion?
Answer: A virus particle, or virion, consists of genetic material (either DNA or RNA, but never both) enclosed within a protein coat called a capsid.
Card 8
Question: Do all viruses have an outer lipid envelope?
Answer: No, some viruses also have an outer lipid envelope derived from the host cell membrane.
Card 9
Question: Why can't viruses carry out metabolic processes or reproduce independently?
Answer: Viruses lack cellular organelles like ribosomes, mitochondria, or a nucleus.
Card 10
Question: What is the typical size range for viruses?
Answer: Viruses are significantly smaller than bacteria, typically ranging from about 20 to 300 nanometers (nm) in diameter.