Glossary

acellular

Tissue or organism not consisting of discrete cells.

algae

Most often protists, but sometimes bacteria, that lack the specialised structures found in plants, such as roots, leaves and stems.

anoxygenic

A type of photosynthesis that does not produce oxygen.

archaea

Unicellular prokaryotic organisms similar to bacteria but with a different evolutionary history.

bacteria

Unicellular prokaryotic organisms abundant in most environments. Most bacteria are harmless or helpful, but some are pathogenic.

DNA

‘Deoxyribonucleic acid’. Contains genetic information for cell function, growth and division.

eukaryotes

Plants, animals, protozoans, algae and fungi.

Fungi

Eukaryotic organisms that are extremely diverse. Includes yeasts, moulds and mushrooms.

microbiome

Community of microorganisms that live in a particular environment and their genes.

pathogens

Disease-causing organisms.

peptidoglycan

Complex sugar and amino acid polymer that forms a tough, protective mesh-like structure in the cell walls of bacteria, providing structural integrity and shape.

prokaryotes

Archaea and bacteria.

protists

Informal grouping of eukaryotes that are not plants, animal or fungi.

protozoa

Protists that provide nutrients for other organisms and make up the backbone of many food webs.

oxygenic

A type of photosynthesis that produces oxygen.

sewage

Produced wastewater from a community of people.

viruses

Acellular microorganisms that incorporate themselves into a host cell, co-opting cellular mechanisms to multiply.