42 Questions
Why are bacteria usually small?
To avoid competition with larger organisms for resources
What is the primary claim to fame of cyanobacteria?
Their ability to perform photosynthesis
Why do some scientists consider the tree of life more of a bush?
Due to the presence of common ancestors for multiple branches
What promotes genetic diversity in eukaryotes?
Horizontal gene transfer
Where did mitochondria come from? What is the evidence?
Evolved from archaea through endosymbiosis; evidence includes their own DNA and double membranes
What are extremophiles? Provide examples.
Organisms that can survive in extreme environments; examples include thermophiles and halophiles
What is the process where genetic material is transferred between prokaryotes by a virus?
Transduction
What are the three domains of life?
Archaea, Bacteria, Eukarya
What is the primary mode of nutrition for chemoautotrophs?
Chemoautotrophy
Why are eukaryotic cells usually larger than prokaryotic cells?
To increase surface area to volume ratio
What is the main defining feature that distinguishes eukaryotic cells from prokaryotic cells?
Presence of a nucleus
What is a unique characteristic of Archaeplastida?
Presence of secondary plastids
What is the term for the collection of microorganisms in a particular environment such as the human gut?
Microbiota
Why do some scientists view the tree of life as more of a bush rather than a single evolutionary line?
Due to horizontal gene transfer among different lineages
What kind of organisms fuel the carbon cycle around hydrothermal vents?
Chemoautotrophs
What is the significance of transduction, transformation, and conjugation for prokaryotes?
They are mechanisms of genetic exchange between prokaryotes.
What are some examples of extremeophiles?
Methanogens and halophiles
What was the role of cyanobacteria in a horizontal transfer event?
They transferred genetic material to eukaryotes.
What is the primary claim to fame of cyanobacteria?
Their contribution to oxygen production via photosynthesis
Why do some scientists consider the tree of life more of a bush?
Because of the complex interconnections and lateral gene transfers between species
What fuels the carbon cycle around hydrothermal vents?
Chemoautotrophs
What promotes genetic diversity in eukaryotes?
Both vertical and horizontal gene transfer
Where did chloroplasts come from and what is the evidence for their origins?
From endosymbiotic cyanobacteria, supported by DNA and structural similarities
What are the Archaeplastida?
Photosynthetic eukaryotes with primary plastids derived from cyanobacteria
What is the primary function of transduction in prokaryotes?
Horizontal gene transfer
Why are bacteria usually small?
To facilitate rapid reproduction
What is the significance of conjugation in prokaryotes?
Promoting genetic diversity
What is an extremeophile?
An organism that thrives in extreme environmental conditions
What is the primary claim to fame of cyanobacteria?
Photosynthesis
Why do some scientists refer to the tree of life as more of a bush?
To emphasize the complex interrelations between different species
What promotes genetic diversity in eukaryotes?
Mitosis
What are the defining features of eukaryotic cells?
Membrane-bound nucleus and organelles
Cyanobacteria were involved in a horizontal transfer event.
True
The primary claim to fame of cyanobacteria is their ability to form microbial mats.
False
Transduction, transformation, and conjugation are important processes for promoting genetic diversity in eukaryotes.
False
Mitochondria originated from a horizontal transfer event involving prokaryotes.
False
The three domains of life are Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya.
True
Eukaryotic cells are usually smaller than prokaryotic cells.
False
An extremeophile is an organism that thrives in moderate environmental conditions.
False
The tree of life is often viewed more as a bush due to the complex and interconnected evolutionary relationships among organisms.
True
Cyanobacteria are examples of extremophiles due to their ability to survive in high temperatures.
False
Chloroplasts originated from an endosymbiotic event similar to the origin of mitochondria.
True
Test your knowledge with study questions about bacteria, prokaryotes, and domains of life. Explore topics such as horizontal transfer, transduction, transformation, conjugation, extremeophiles, cyanobacteria, and the three domains of life.
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