All about microbes

1. Thick, gelatinous layer surrounding some bacteria, providing protection against phagocytosis and helping in adherence to surfaces.
5. Gradual accumulation of mutations in the genes encoding viral surface antigens, which leads to minor changes in the virus, allowing it to evade the immune system and cause recurring infections. (two words)
6. Temporary extensions of the cell membrane and cytoplasm used by certain cells for movement and engulfing food particles via phagocytosis
10. Structure produced by certain bacteria, allowing them to survive extreme conditions such as heat, desiccation, and chemical exposure.
11. Occurs when a bacteriophage integrates its genetic material into a bacterium's genome, leading to changes in the bacterium's phenotype (e.g., gaining new traits such as toxin production). (two words)
12. The use of living organisms, often microbes, to remove or neutralize contaminants from the environment, particularly in soil and water.

2. Major change in the genetic makeup of a virus, usually caused by the reassortment of genetic material from different virus strains. This can result in new viral strains with the potential to cause pandemics, as seen in influenza viruses. (two words)
3. Lipid bilayer that surrounds the capsid of some viruses derived from the host cell membrane during viral replication and release, and it often contains viral glycoproteins that help the virus attach to and enter host cells.
4. Specificity of a virus for certain tissues or cell types within a host. This preference is determined by the presence of compatible receptors and the ability of the virus to replicate in those cells. (two words)
7. Virus that infects and replicates within bacteria.
8. Misfolded infectious proteins that can cause neurodegenerative diseases by inducing normal proteins in the brain to also misfold. Diseases include Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) and mad cow disease.
9. Protein coat that surrounds and protects the genetic material (DNA or RNA) of a virus.