Term | Definition |
Pathogen | Agent that causes disease. |
Viroid | An infectious particle made of single-stranded RNA without a protein coat, that almost always uses plants as its host. |
Prion | An infectious agent that consists of a protein fragment that can cause other proteins to fold incorrectly. |
Capsid | The protein shell that surrounds a virus. |
Bacteriophage | A virus that infects bacteria. |
Epidemic | The rapid outbreak of a disease that affects many people. |
Vaccine | A substance that stimulates an immune response, producing acquired immunity without illness or infection. |
Obligate Anaerobe | A prokaryote that cannot survive in the presence of oxygen. |
Obligate Aerobe | A prokaryote that cannot survive without the presence of oxygen. |
Facultative Aerobe | An organism that can live with or without oxygen. |
Flagellum | Whip-like structure outside of a cell that is used for movement. |
Plasmid | A circular piece of genetic material found in bacteria that can replicate separately from the DNA of the main chromosome. |
Conjugation | The process by which a prokaryote transfers part of its chromosome to another prokaryote. |
Toxin | A poison released by an organism. |
Antibiotic | A chemical that kills or slows the growth of bacteria. |
Protist | A eukaryote that is not an animal, plant, or fungus. |
Protozoa | An animal-like protist. |
Pseudopod | A temporary extension of cytoplasm and plasma membrane that helps protozoa move and feed. |
Cilia | Short, hair-like structures that cover some or all of the cell surface and help the organism swim and capture food. |
Algae | Photosynthetic, plant-like protists. |
Modify | To change somewhat the form or qualities of something. |
Compile | To gather together (materials from various sources) into one place. |
Prove | To establish the truth or genuineness of, as by evidence or argument. |
Alternative | A choice limited to one of two or more possibilities; a possible course. |
Revise | To amend or alter. |