Prokaryotic cells and viruses

• Slime capsule = extra layer in top of the cell wall, prevents drying out, makes prokaryote slippery
• Cell wall = made of murein, prevents the cell from bursting if it takes in too much water
• Nucleoid = single circular DNA molecule that floats free in the cytoplasm
• Cytoplasm = helps move things around, dissolves cellular waste, where organelles carry out necessary processes
• Flagellum = hair-like structure that rotates to propel the prokaryote facilitating directional movement
• Plasmid = tiny circular DNA floating free in the cytoplasm
• Ribosome = tiny granules made from two subunits, site of polypeptide synthesis
• Matrix = layer of proteins situated immediately under the outer envelope
• Attachment proteins = proteins used by the virus to identify and attach to host cells
• Capsid = protein layer that encloses two single strands of RNA and some enzymes
• RNA = contains the genetic material needed to reproduce
• Reverse transcriptase = an enzyme that catalyses the production of DNA from RNA