Biology of the Pea Plant and Microbial Water Quality

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Questions and Answers

What part of the pea plant is primarily responsible for nutrient absorption?

Flowers

Stem

Leaves

Root hairs (correct)

What is the function of nodules in the pea plant?

Nitrogen fixation (correct)

Water storage

Association with mycorrhizae

Photosynthesis

Which organism is associated with the root hairs of the pea plant?

Fungi

Algae

Rhizobia (correct)

Mycorrhiza

How do rhizobia contribute to the health of the pea plant?

By fixing atmospheric nitrogen Signup and view all the answers

Which structure increases the surface area for nutrient and water absorption in the root system of the pea plant?

Root hairs Signup and view all the answers

What does aquatic microbiology primarily focus on?

Microorganisms and their activities in natural waters Signup and view all the answers

What does a high number of microorganisms in a body of water usually indicate?

High nutrient levels Signup and view all the answers

How do sewage and industrial organic wastes affect microbial populations in water?

They increase bacterial numbers Signup and view all the answers

What is a common method of microbial water pollution control mentioned?

Filtering microbes from water entering groundwater Signup and view all the answers

What might be inferred about a body of water with a high concentration of bacteria?

It likely contains pollutants from sewage or industrial sources Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of water treatment in municipalities?

To ensure the water is free of disease-causing microbes Signup and view all the answers

What process follows coagulation in the water treatment process?

Flocculation Signup and view all the answers

Which chemical is commonly used as a flocculant during water treatment?

Aluminum potassium sulfate (alum) Signup and view all the answers

How are microorganisms primarily trapped during the filtration process?

Surface adsorption onto sand particles Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic of ozone makes it suitable for use as a disinfectant in water treatment?

It leaves no taste or odor in the water. Signup and view all the answers

What is one method for disposing of sludge mentioned?

Disposing in landfill Signup and view all the answers

Which process involves the transformation of sludge through natural organisms?

Microbial processes Signup and view all the answers

Which option is NOT a method of sludge disposal mentioned?

Release into open waters Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential application for disposed sludge?

Fertilization in agricultural land Signup and view all the answers

Chemical processes in sludge disposal are primarily aimed at what?

Removing heavy metals Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary process by which plants assimilate sulfur?

Plant uptake Signup and view all the answers

Which microorganism is specifically noted for sulfur reduction?

Desulfovibrio Signup and view all the answers

What role do nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers play in bioremediation?

They enhance microbial activity. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following processes involves the breakdown of organic matter by microbes?

Dissimilation Signup and view all the answers

How does temperature affect bioremediation?

Higher temperatures can enhance the rate of bioremediation. Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between the burning of fossil fuels and SO2 emissions?

Fossil fuel burning produces SO2 emissions. Signup and view all the answers

What is bioremediation primarily used for?

To detoxify or degrade environmental pollutants. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a product of microbial oxidation of elemental sulfur (S0)?

H2S Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of the primary treatment stage in sewage treatment?

Removal of solids from wastewater Signup and view all the answers

What does Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) measure in wastewater?

The amount of oxygen required by bacteria to degrade organic matter Signup and view all the answers

In the secondary treatment stage, what is the purpose of strong aeration?

To encourage the growth of aerobic bacteria Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the solids after they are removed from the treatment process?

They are treated in an anaerobic sludge digester Signup and view all the answers

What is a common method of disinfection applied to treated sewage?

Chlorination Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical outcome of the sludge digestion process?

The sludge is reduced in volume and stabilized Signup and view all the answers

What is the potential final use of treated sewage after the purification process?

Use as drinking water Signup and view all the answers

What occurs during the sedimentation process in the primary treatment?

Solid materials settle out of the wastewater Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Chapter 27: Environmental Microbiology

The chapter focuses on environmental microbiology, encompassing microbial diversity, habitats, soil microbiology, biogeochemical cycles, aquatic microbiology, and sewage treatment.

Objectives

Study microbial diversity and habitats
Examine soil microbiology and biogeochemical cycles
Investigate aquatic microbiology and sewage treatment

Microbial Diversity and Habitats

Microbes inhabit diverse habitats due to their adaptable abilities.
They utilize various carbon and energy sources.
They can thrive under diverse physical conditions.
Extremophiles are organisms living in extreme environments.
Extremophiles exhibit tolerance to extreme pH, temperature, and salinity.
Extremophiles produce extremozymes, enzymes enabling tolerance to these environmental extremes.
Thermus aquaticus bacteria produce Taq polymerase, a heat-resistant enzyme used in PCR.

Symbiosis

Symbiosis involves two different organisms living in close association, benefiting one or both.
Ruminants (like sheep and cows) and rumen bacteria display symbiosis.
Rumen bacteria ferment cellulose, and protozoa control bacteria populations.
Mycorrhizae contribute to plant growth by expanding the root surface area.

Mycorrhizae

Fungi form close associations with plant roots.
Endomycorrhizae (vesicular-arbuscular) form spores that germinate into hyphae, penetrating plant roots.
Nutrients travel from soil to arbuscules, releasing nutrients for the plants.
Ectomycorrhizae do not form vesicles or arbuscules.
Truffles, underground mushrooms, are ectomycorrhizal fungi frequently associated with tree roots.
Truffles are highly valued as a food source.

Biogeochemical Cycles

Soil may contain billions of bacterial cells and kilometers of fungal hyphae.
Biogeochemical cycles (for carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur) involve the oxidation and reduction of elements in organic materials by microorganisms.
The greatest microbial population in soil exists in top few centimeters, declining with depth.

The Carbon Cycle

All organisms contain carbon in organic compounds like cellulose, starches, fats, and proteins.
Trees derive cellulose from atmospheric carbon dioxide through photosynthesis.
Chemoheterotrophs (animals and protozoa) consume autotrophs and other animals.

The Nitrogen Cycle

All organisms synthesize proteins, nucleic acids, and other nitrogen-containing compounds.
Molecular nitrogen (N2) constitutes 80% of Earth's atmosphere.
Nitrogen fixation converts N2 into organic forms usable by plants.
Microbial activities are pivotal for converting nitrogen into usable forms.
Nitrification is a process that oxidizes ammonium to nitrate.
Denitrification is a process by which nitrate is reduced to nitrogen gas (N2).

The Sulfur Cycle

Microorganisms decompose proteins and amino acids containing sulfur.
Microbial dissimilation converts amino acids to H2S.
Further microbial processes convert H2S to SO₄²⁻
Plants and microbes assimilate SO₄²⁻.

Decomposition by Microbes

Microbes effectively degrade natural organic matter.
Bioremediation utilizes microbes to detoxify or degrade pollutants, such as petroleum.
Bioremediation efficiency is affected by temperature; metabolism slows with decreasing temperatures.

Aquatic Microbiology and Sewage Treatment

Aquatic microbiology investigates microorganisms and their activities in natural waters (lakes, ponds, streams, rivers, estuaries, and oceans).
High microbial numbers often signify high nutrient levels in water bodies.
Wastewater from sewage and industry contain high bacterial counts.

Microbial Water Pollution

Microbes filtered from water entering groundwater often lead to good water quality in springs and deep wells.
Pathogens can transmit diseases through drinking water.
Fecal contamination is a significant cause of severe water pollution.

Water Purity Tests

Tests for water purity focus on detecting specific indicator organisms.
Coliforms (E. coli, Klepsiella, Citrobacter, enterobacter, Serratia) and Enterococcus are examples of indicator organisms indicating fecal contamination.
MPN (most probable number) method estimates coliform numbers.
Membrane filtration is a direct method for determining coliforms.

Water Treatment

Many cities obtain water from polluted rivers needing treatment before consumption.
Water treatment aims at removing disease-causing microbes and creating potable water suitable for consumption.
Treatment steps often include coagulation, filtration, and disinfection.

Wastewater Treatment

Sewage contains household, rainwater, and industrial waste.
Sewage treatment often includes primary (removal of solids), secondary (biological oxidation of dissolved organic matter), tertiary (removal of BOD, nitrogen, and phosphorus), and disinfection stages.
Septic tanks are used in areas without sewer systems, employing anaerobic decomposition.
Oxidation ponds are a water treatment method used by industries and small communities.

Bioaugmentation and Composting

Bioaugmentation adds specific microbes to degrade pollutants.
Composting converts plant remains into humus.
Thermophilic bacteria raise compost temperatures during composting.

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Description

This quiz explores essential aspects of the pea plant, including its nutrient absorption mechanisms and the role of rhizobia. Additionally, it delves into aquatic microbiology, focusing on microbial populations in water bodies and their implications for water quality and pollution control.