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| 9378168302 | peptidoglycan | A polymer composed of modified sugars cross-linked by short polypeptides. This molecular fabric makes up the cell wall | 0 | |
| 9378168303 | Gram stain | A technique that allows scientists to categorize many bacterial species according to differences in cell wall composition. | 1 | |
| 9378168304 | Gram-positive | These bacteria tend to have simpler walls with a relatively large amount of peptidoglycan and absorbs more Gram stain. | 2 | |
| 9378168305 | Gram-negative | These bacteria tend to have less peptidoglycan, are more structurally complex, with an outer membrane that contains lipopolysaccharides (carbohydrates bonded to lipids) and repels Gram stain. | 3 | |
| 9378168306 | capsule | A dense and well-defined sticky layer of polysaccharide or protein that surrounds the cell wall of many prokaryotes. | 4 | |
| 9378168307 | endospore | A resistant cell created by certain bacteria that allows it to withstand harsh conditions. |  | 5 |
| 9378168309 | pili | Appendages that pull two cells together prior to DNA transfer (conjugation) from one cell to the other; tend to be longer and less numerous than fimbriae. | 6 | |
| 9378168310 | taxis | A directed movement toward or away from a stimulus, from the Greek "taxis", to arrange. | 7 | |
| 9378168311 | nucleoid | A region of cytoplasm containing the prokaryote's genetic material; not enclosed by a membrane. | 8 | |
| 9378168312 | plasmids | Smaller rings of independently replicating DNA molecules that only carry a few genes, found in prokaryotic cells, in addition to its single chromosome. | 9 | |
| 9378168313 | transformation | The genotype and possibly phenotype of a prokaryotic cell are altered by the uptake of foreign DNA from its surroundings. | 10 | |
| 9378168314 | transduction | Phages carry prokaryotic genes from one host cell to another. | 11 | |
| 9378168315 | conjugation | DNA is transferred between two prokaryotic cells (usually of the same species) that are temporarily joined. In bacteria, the DNA transfer is always one-way: One cell donates the DNA, and the other receives it. | 12 | |
| 9378168316 | Obligate aerobes | Prokaryotes that must use oxygen for cellular respiration, and cannot grow without it. | 13 | |
| 9378168317 | Obligate anaerobes | Prokaryotes that are poisoned by oxygen, and live by fermentation or anaerobic respiration. | 14 | |
| 9378168318 | Anaerobic respiration | A form of respiration in which substances other than oxygen, such as nitrate or sulfate ions accept electrons at the "downhill" end of electron transport chains. | 15 | |
| 9378168319 | Facultative anaerobes | Prokaryotes that use oxygen if it is present but can also carry out fermentation or anaerobic respiration in an anaerobic environment. | 16 | |
| 9378168320 | Nitrogen fixation | The process, carried out by some cyanobacteria and some methanogens, of converting atmospheric nitrogen to ammonia, which can then be incorporated into amino acids and other organic molecules. | 17 | |
| 9378168321 | extremophiles | Prokaryotes that survive in extreme conditions, from the Greek "lover" of extreme conditions. | 18 | |
| 9378168322 | Extreme halophiles | Prokaryotes that live in highly saline environments, from the Greek "halo", meaning salt. | 19 | |
| 9378168323 | Extreme thermophiles | Prokaryotes that live in very hot environments, from the Greek "thermos", meaning hot. | 20 | |
| 9378168325 | decomposers | Prokaryotes that break down dead organisms as well as waste products, thereby unlocking supplies of carbon, nitrogen, and other elements. | 21 | |
| 9378168326 | symbiosis | An ecological relationship in which two species live in close contact with each other. | 22 | |
| 9378168327 | host | The larger organism in a symbiotic relationship. | 23 | |
| 9378168329 | mutualism | An ecological interaction between two species in which both benefit. | 24 | |
| 9378168330 | commensalism | An ecological interaction in which one species benefits while the other is not harmed or helped in any significant way. | 25 | |
| 9378168331 | parasitism | An ecological relationship in which one species harms another species. | 26 | |
| 9378168332 | parasite | The species that harms the other species by eating its cell contents, tissues, or body fluids of its host. | 27 | |
| 9378168333 | pathogens | Parasites that cause disease. | 28 | |
| 9378168334 | exotoxins | Proteins secreted by certain bacteria and other organisms which cause disease. | 29 |
