STRUCTURES AND
FUNCTIONS OF
LIVING ORGANISMS:
VOCAB LIST 
MICROBE
Any organism or near life form that cannot be seen with
the naked eye.
Examples: bacteria, virus, protist, fungi, etc.
Microbe Video
BACTERIA
http://worldbookonline.com/student/extmedia?id=ar041420&st=bacteria&em=pc200557
• Unicellular organisms that lack membrane-bound
structures; a common term used to describe prokaryotes
• Bacteria Video
VIRUS
A particle consisting of DNA
encased in a protein coat that
must inject its DNA into a living
cell in order to reproduce;
Scientists consider the virus to
be not alive…Virus Video
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/630244/virus
PROTIST
• A single-celled organism with a nucleus and organelles,
including amoebas, euglenas, paramecia, and volvox
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/480085/protist
AMOEBA
• An animal like protist
EUGLENA
http://worldbookonline.com/student/extmedia?id=ar186400&st=euglena&
em=lr000845
Unicellular protist that lives in freshwater characterized by
a reddish eyespot and a single flagellum
PARAMECIUM
• An example of a protist
An organism that derives
nourishment or habitat
from the tissues or fluids
of another organism. A
eukaryotic pathogen
can be unicellular or
multi-cellular
PARASITE
http://worldbookonline.com/student/extmedia?id=ar339940&st=plasmodi
um&em=pc010846
CAPSID
• The protein shell that
surrounds a virus
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/630244/virus
CAPSULE
http://www.britannica.com/bps/media-view/147082/1/0/0
• A surface layer on some bacteria that helps them stick
to each other and surfaces
CILIA
http://worldbookonline.com/studen
t/extmedia?id=ar414160&st=par
amecium&em=lr000873
• A short, hair-like appendage used by microorganisms for
motion.
FLAGELLUM
http://worldbookonline.com/student/extmedia?id=ar041420&st=bacteria
&em=lr000499
• A whip-like structure on unicellular organisms that aids
with movement
EYESPOT
• An organelle of the protist euglena that is sensitive to light
PSEUDOPOD
http://worldbookonline.com/student/extmedia?id=ar448740&st=pseudop
od&em=pc305429
An extension of the cytoplasm used for movement in
some organisms; a means of locomotion for an amoeba;
means false foot
EUKARYOTE
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/195150/eukaryote
Either unicellular or multi-cellular organism that contains
membrane-bound organelles and genetic material within
the nucleus
PROKARYOTE
http://www.britannica.com/bps/media-view/707/1/0/0
A unicellular organism that lacks a true nucleus and
membrane-bound organelles
FUNGI
• Eukaryotes that have cell walls, are heterotrophs that
feed by absorbing their food, and use spores to
reproduce.
HYPHAE
• The branching , threading like tubes that make up the
bodies of multicellular fungi. Substances move quickly
and freely through the hyphae.
FRUITING BODIES
• Lightweight spores that are involved in reproducing
fungi. The spores are surrounded by a protective
covering and can be carried easily through the air.
LICHEN
Consists of a fungus and either algae or autotrophic
bacteria that live together in a mutualistic relationship.
INFECTIOUS DISEASE
Diseases that can spread through contact with an
infected person, contaminated object, an infected animal
or environmental source.
TOXIN
• A poison produced by bacterial pathogens that
damages cells.
ANTIBIOTIC
• A chemical that can kill bacteria without harming a
persons cells.
http://www.twigcarolina.com/films/antibiotics-3687/
VACCINE
• A substance introduced to the body to stimulate the
production of chemicals that destroy specific viruses,
bacteria, or other disease causing organisms.
• Example: polio vaccine, chicken pox, flu, etc
http://www.twigcarol
ina.com/films/gloss
ary/vaccine-4419/