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Archaea
The domain of life containing anucleate cells that have unique lipids in their membranes, distinctive rRNA sequences, and cell walls that lack peptidoglycan
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Bacteria
The domain of life that contains anucleate cells having distinctive rRNA sequences and cell walls that contain the structural molecule peptidoglycan
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Eukarya
The domain of life that features organisms made of cells having a membrane-delimited nucleus and differing in many other ways from Archaea and Bacteria; includes protists, fungi, plants, and animals
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Fungi
A diverse group of eukaryotic microorganisms that range from unicellular forms (yeasts) to multicellular molds and mushrooms
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Genome
The entire genetic makeup of an organism
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Genomic Analysis
An approach to studying organisms that involves sequencing the genome, identifying genes, and assigning functions to the genes
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Koch's Postulates
A set of rules for proving that a specific microorganism causes a particular disease
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Microbiology
The study of organisms that are usually too small to be seen with the naked eye; special techniques are required to isolate and grow them
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Microorganism
An organism that is too small to be seen clearly with the naked eye and lacks highly differentiated cells and distinct tissues
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Prions
Infectious agents, composed only of protein, that cause spongiform encephalopathies such as scrapie in sheep
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Prokaryotic Cells
Cells having a type of structure characterized by the lack of a true, membrane-enclosed nucleus. All known members of Archaea and most members of Bacteria exhibit this type of cell structure
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Protists
Mostly unicellular eukaryotic organisms that lack cellular differentiation into tissues. Cell differentiation is limited to cells involved in sexual reproduction, alternate vegetative morphology, or resting states such as cysts; includes organisms often referred to as algae and protozoa
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Spontaneous Generation
An early belief, now discredited, that living organisms could develop from nonliving matter
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Viroids
Infectious agents of plants composed only of single-stranded RNA
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Viruses
Infectious agents having a simple acellular organization with a protein coat and a nucleic acid genome, lacking independent metabolism, and reproducing only within living host cells
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Virusoids
Infectious agents composed only of single-stranded RNA. They are unable to replicate without the aid of specific viruses that coinfect the host cell
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