Microbiology, 2021

1206 E • Glossary
together into recombinant molecules
restriction fragment length
polymorphism (RFLP) a genetic variant
identified by differing numbers or sizes of
DNA fragments generated after digestion
of a DNA sample with a restriction
endonuclease; the variants are caused by
the loss or gain of restriction sites, or the
insertion or deleting of sequences
between restriction sites.
retort large industrial autoclave used for
moist heat sterilization on a large scale
retrospective study a research design
that associates historical data with present
cases
retrovirus positive ssRNA virus that
produces and uses reverse transcriptase
to make an ssDNA copy of the retroviral
genome that can then be made into dsDNA
and integrate into the host cell
chromosome to form a provirus within the
host chromosome.
reverse transcriptase enzyme found in
retroviruses that can make a copy of
ssDNA from ssRNA
reverse transcriptase inhibitor classes of
antiviral drugs that involve nucleoside
analog competitive inhibition and nonnucleoside
noncompetitive inhibition of
the HIV reverse transcriptase
reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) a
variation of PCR used to obtain DNA copies
of a specific mRNA molecule that begins
with the conversion of mRNA molecules to
cDNA by the enzyme reverse transcriptase
Reye syndrome potentially lifethreatening
sequelae to some viral
infections that result in the swelling of the
liver and brain; aspirin use has also been
linked to this syndrome
Rh factor red blood cell surface antigen
that can trigger type II hypersensitivity
reactions
rheostat a dimmer switch that controls
the intensity of the illuminator on a light
microscope
rheumatic fever serious clinical sequela
of an infection with Streptococcus
pyogenes that can result in damage to
joints or the valves of the heart
rheumatoid arthritis systemic
autoimmune disease in which immune
complexes form and deposit in the joints
and their linings, leading to inflammation
and destruction
rhinitis inflammation of the nasal cavity
rhizines structures made of hyphae found
on some lichens; aid in attachment to a
surface
ribonucleic acid (RNA) single-stranded
nucleic acid composed of ribonucleotides;
important in transcription and translation
(protein synthesis)
ribonucleotides RNA nucleotides
containing ribose as the pentose sugar
component and a nitrogenous base
ribosome a complex intracellular
structure that synthesizes proteins
riboswitch small region of noncoding
RNA found within the 5’ end of some
prokaryotic mRNA molecules that may
bind to a small intracellular molecule,
influencing the completion of
transcription and/or translation
ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase
(RuBisCO) first enzyme of the Calvin cycle
responsible for adding a CO 2 molecule
onto a five-carbon ribulose bisphosphate
(RuBP) molecule
rifampin semisynthetic member of the
rifamycin class that blocks bacterial RNA
polymerase activity, inhibiting
transcription
rimantadine antiviral drug that targets
the influenza virus by preventing viral
escape from endosomes upon host cell
uptake, preventing viral RNA release and
subsequent viral replication
ringworm a tinea (cutaneous mycosis of
the skin), typically characterized by a
round, red, slightly raised lesion that heals
outward from the center, giving it the
appearance of a round worm
RNA interference (RNAi) process by
which antisense RNAs or small interfering
RNAs (siRNAs) interfere with gene
expression by binding to mRNA,
preventing translation and protein
synthesis
RNA polymerase enzyme that adds
nucleotides to the 3’-OH group of the
growing mRNA molecule that are
complementary to the template strand,
forming covalent phosphodiester bonds
between the nucleotides in the RNA
RNA splicing process of removing intronencoded
RNA sequences from eukaryotic
primary transcripts and reconnecting
those encoded by exons
RNA transcript mRNA produced during
transcription
Rocky Mountain spotted fever potentially
fatal tickborne disease caused by
Rickettsia rickettsii characterized by fever,
body aches, and a rash
rogue form misfolded form of the PrP
protein that is normally found in the cell
membrane and has the tendency to
aggregate in neurons, causing extensive
cell death and brain damage
rolling circle replication type of rapid
unidirectional DNA synthesis of a circular
DNA molecule
roseola a rash-causing illness, most
commonly affecting children, associated
with human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6)
rough endoplasmic reticulum a type of
endoplasmic reticulum containing bound
80S ribosomes for the synthesis of
proteins destined for the plasma
membrane
route of administration method used to
introduce a drug into the body
rRNA type of stable RNA that is a major
constituent of ribosomes, ensuring proper
alignment of the mRNA and the ribosomes
as well as catalyzing the formation of the
peptide bonds between two aligned amino
acids during protein synthesis
rubella German measles, caused by the
rubella virus
runs (running) purposeful, directional
movement of a prokaryotic cell propelled
by counterclockwise flagellar rotation
S
σ factor subunit of bacterial RNA
polymerase conferring promoter
specificity that can be substituted with a
different version in response to an
environmental condition, allowing for a
quick and global change of the regulon
transcribed
saccharide carbohydrate
salmonellosis gastrointestinal illness
caused by Salmonella bacteria
salpingitis inflammation of the fallopian
tubes
sandwich ELISA EIA in which the primary
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