Answers to Key Terms for Chapter 3

bacillus	A rod-shaped bacterium (p. 38).
chemotaxis	When a microorganism moves toward a chemical attractant or away from repellents (p. 63).
coccus	A spherical-shaped bacterial cell (p. 38).
cytoplasmic matrix	The protoplasm of a cell that lies within the plasma membrane and outside any organelle (p. 44).
DNA	Deoxyribonucleic acid. It constitutes the genetic material of the cell (p. 50).
endospore	An extremely heat-resistant, chemical-resistant, dormant, thick-walled spore formed by some bacteria (p. 66).
flagellum	A thin, threadlike appendage on cells that allow for their motility (p. 59).
inclusion body	Granules of organic or inorganic material lying in the cytoplasmic matrix of bacteria (p. 44).
lysis	Rupture or phyusical disintegration of a cell (p. 56).
osmosis	The movement of water across a selectively permeable membrane from a dilute to a more concentrated solution (p. 56).
plasma membrane	Selectively permeable membrane surrounding the cell's cytoplasma. Also called cell membrane and plasmalemma (p. 40).
pleomorphic	Refers to bacteria that are variable in shape (p. 39).
ribosome	Organelle where protein synthesis occurs (p. 47).
spirochete	Refers to a flexible spiral-shaped bacterium with flagella (p. 38).
sporulation	The process of spore formation (p. 67).

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