MICRO: Class 2 The Scientific Method and Nucleic Acids
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Questions and Answers

What is the first step in the scientific method?

  • Communicate methods, results, and conclusions
  • Design experiments to test the hypothesis
  • Draw a conclusion
  • Make an observation and ask a question (correct)

    • What is a hypothesis?

  • A testable explanation for a phenomenon (correct)
  • The final conclusion drawn from an experiment
  • A specific type of experiment
  • A statement of fact observed in nature

    • Why is a control included in experiments?

  • To ensure that all variables are accounted for
  • To rule out alternative explanations (correct)
  • To provide a visual representation of the data
  • To make the experiment more complex

    • What does the scientific method emphasize after analyzing data?

    <p>Drawing a conclusion</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characterizes a scientific theory?

    <p>An explanation supported by a large amount of evidence</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which part of the scientific method can be refined based on experimental results?

    <p>The hypothesis</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the importance of communicating methods and results in science?

    <p>To allow replication and understanding by others</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the phrase 'every rule has exceptions' imply about scientific rules?

    <p>Understanding exceptions can improve their utility</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What term describes spherical bacteria that may be slightly oval or flattened on one end?

    <p>Coccus</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following terms refers to a long, spiral-shaped cell with a flexible cell wall?

    <p>Spirochete</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What term is used for cocci that remain in pairs after division?

    <p>Diplococci</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which bacterial arrangement describes long chains formed by division in one plane?

    <p>Streptococcus</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characteristic defines bacteria that can appear in varying shapes?

    <p>Pleomorphic</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary difference between Archaea and Bacteria?

    <p>Ribosomal RNA sequences</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which genus of bacteria is known for forming cubical packets after division in perpendicular planes?

    <p>Sarcina</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of bacteria often thrive in extreme environments, such as high salt and temperature?

    <p>Archaea</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the correct order of information flow in cellular processes?

    <p>DNA à RNA à Protein</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What significant event occurred around 2.5 billion years ago in Earth's history?

    <p>Single-celled organisms began terraforming the planet</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What do the lengths of the lines in the Universal Tree of Cellular Life represent?

    <p>Time of evolutionary changes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT one of the four RNA bases?

    <p>Thymine</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How old is the Earth estimated to be?

    <p>4.6 billion years</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The simplest assembly of life's origins suggests that all cellular life evolved from what?

    <p>A single-celled ancestor</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements best describes the process of evolution mentioned?

    <p>It involves gradual changes over extensive time scales.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a common misconception about mutations in DNA?

    <p>They always lead to beneficial traits.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the impact of the influenza pandemic of 1918 to 1919 compared to world wars?

    <p>It killed more Americans than WWI, WWII, and the Korean, Vietnam, and Iraq wars combined.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What factor contributed to the great famine in Ireland during the 1800s?

    <p>A microbial disease of potatoes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What consequences did the disease affecting olive trees have?

    <p>It caused a significant drop in olive oil production worldwide.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the historical perception of diseases before the discovery of microorganisms?

    <p>They were caused by the poison of bad air.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which disease devastated wheat crops and spread to various countries?

    <p>Wheat blast.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following methods was used in ancient times for food preservation?

    <p>Fermentation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the purpose of the sanitation instructions found in Deuteronomy 23:12-14?

    <p>To ensure God did not dirty His shoes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements is true about smallpox?

    <p>It was responsible for one-third of its victims dying.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How is the current situation with the plague characterized?

    <p>It is still present but not spreading among humans.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What evolution-focused behavior do microorganisms display according to the content?

    <p>They focus on surviving and reproducing.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What misconception did ancient civilizations have about sanitation practices?

    <p>They followed rituals without understanding their purpose.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What remains a challenge in the vaccination efforts for polio?

    <p>Religious and political barriers to reaching last human reservoirs.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What recent emerging disease is mentioned alongside smallpox eradication?

    <p>Monkeypox.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT mentioned as an impact of microorganisms on humans today?

    <p>Quantum computing</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In ancient medicine, what was the main approach to understanding diseases?

    <p>Accurate descriptions of symptoms.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following correctly describes the relationship between microorganisms and human diseases?

    <p>Microorganisms are indifferent to human suffering.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What structure do molds form that is visible to the naked eye?

    <p>Mycelium</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is characteristic of fungi?

    <p>Opportunistic infections can occur</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In which part of algae does photosynthesis take place?

    <p>Chloroplasts</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of enzymes secreted by fungi?

    <p>To digest organic materials</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT true about algae?

    <p>They are always found in dry habitats.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of infections can fungi cause?

    <p>Opportunistic and systemic infections</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What distinguishes the cell walls of algae from those of prokaryotes?

    <p>Rigidity and composition</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement about fungi is correct?

    <p>Fungi can spread through microscopic spores.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    The Scientific Method

    • Describes the process of science
    • Make an observation and ask a question
    • Develop a testable explanation (hypothesis)
    • Design experiments to test the hypothesis
      • Include a control to eliminate alternative explanations
    • Conduct the experiment, collect and analyze data
    • Draw a conclusion
    • Communicate methods, results, and conclusions
    • Scientific theory: explanation supported by significant evidence

    Scientific Rules

    • Rules have exceptions
    • Understanding exceptions strengthens rule utility
    • Exceptions occur throughout the semester
    • Seek clarification of exceptions during office hours
    • Examples include the flow of information from DNA to RNA to protein, and the four RNA bases (A, G, C, and U)

    Information Stored in Nucleic Acids (DNA or RNA)

    • Instruction and grading are challenging
    • Situations sometimes require educated guesses
    • Correct guesses lead to survival, reproduction, and generational memory
    • Process is slow, with many unsuccessful attempts
    • Time scale is difficult to grasp

    Universal Tree of Cellular Life

    • Assesses the accumulation of mutations in DNA
    • Length of lines reflects evolutionary time
    • All cellular life evolved from a single-celled ancestor
    • Earth is approximately 4.6 billion years old
    • Life originated 3.5-3.8 billion years ago
    • Early life shaped the planet's environment, introducing oxygen.
    • Life spread and evolved to thrive in diverse habitats.

    Microorganisms Affecting Humans

    • Microorganisms (MOs) affect humans in various ways
    • Their presence in the human microbiome
    • Influence on environmental processes
    • Commercial use (food, preservation, biodegradation, compounds)
    • Research tools
    • Infectious disease overview

    Human Diseases and Microorganisms

    • Humans have long recognized diseases distinct from physical injury
    • Often associated with environmental factors or poisons
    • Ancient civilizations understood the significance of sanitation but not the specific causes
    • Preservation methods (fermentation), linked to conditions
    • Discoveries of microorganisms increased understanding.
    • Microorganisms, while capable of causing disease, are not inherently harmful in most cases.
    • Their evolutionary goal is survival, growth, and reproduction.
    • Understanding their needs can help manipulate their activities.

    Categories of Infectious Diseases

    • Some diseases evolved to coexist with humans and our immune systems.
    • Other diseases are accidental; originating from different environments or mismatches with our biology

    Infectious Disease Concepts

    • Most microorganisms are not harmful, some are beneficial
    • Pathogens cause disease through various mechanisms:
      • Direct damage
      • Toxin production
      • Waste product release
      • Immune system stimulation

    Impact of Infectious Disease

    • Historical impact: examples of widespread disease like the 1918 flu and COVID-19, surpassing other global conflicts in mortality.

    Microorganisms Don't Need to Infect to Cause Impact

    • Famine in Ireland (potato blight)
    • Olive tree disease impacting worldwide production
    • Wheat blast devastating crops
    • Amphibian decline caused by fungal disease

    Specific Successes in Infectious Disease Management

    • Smallpox eradication
    • Reduced plague
    • Polio near-eradication
    • Measles successful containment efforts

    Emerging Infectious Diseases

    • Emerging infections, often zoonotic (animal origins), are frequently observed
    • Examples of emerging diseases (such as COVID-19, Mpox, Ebola, Zika, etc.)
    • Societal factors influence the spread and impact of emerging diseases
    • Drug resistance in bacteria/microorganisms

    The Different Types of Living Beings (Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic)

    • All life falls into three domains: Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya
    • Bacteria characteristics: single-celled prokaryotes, rigid cell walls, binary fission, wide variety of shapes and energy sources
    • Archaea characteristics: similar size and shape to bacteria, cell walls lack peptidoglycan; often extremophiles
    • Eukaryotes characteristics: single-celled or multicellular, membrane-bound organelles, diverse examples like fungi, algae, protozoa, and helminths

    Acellular Infectious Agents

    • Viruses, Viroids, and Prions lack some characteristics of living cells
    • Viruses are nucleic acid (DNA or RNA) packaged in protein coats
    • Viroids consist only of RNA
    • Prions are infectious proteins, misfolded versions of normal proteins, causing normal proteins to misfold

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    The Scientific Method PDF

    Description

    This quiz covers the scientific method and the role of nucleic acids in biology. It explores the steps involved in conducting scientific experiments, understanding scientific rules, and the information stored in DNA and RNA. Test your knowledge on these fundamental concepts of life sciences.

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