B.Sc. Industrial Microbiology III: Habitat Ecology
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Questions and Answers

What are the two main components of an ecosystem?

  • Living and non-living organisms
  • Soil and air
  • Plants and animals
  • Abiotic and biotic components (correct)

    • What is the primary function of soil microflora?

  • Decomposition of organic matter
  • Soil structure maintenance and nutrient cycling (correct)
  • Energy flow through food chains
  • Photosynthesis and respiration

    • What is the term for the movement of airborne microorganisms?

  • Diffusion
  • Pollination
  • Migration
  • Dispersion (correct)

    • What is the role of microflora in freshwater habitats?

    <p>Nutrient cycling and water purification</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for the layers of the soil profile?

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

    What is the role of microbes in the human body?

    <p>To aid digestion, immune function, and overall health</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of microbes thrive in extreme conditions like hot springs and polar ice?

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

    What is the sequence of microbial communities involved in plant decomposition?

    <p>Bacteria and fungi, followed by cellulolytic microbes and lignin-degrading fungi</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the definition of mutualism in microbial interactions?

    <p>A symbiotic relationship where both organisms benefit</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of microbes in the stomach of ruminants?

    <p>To break down cellulose and ferment plant materials</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Structure and Function of Ecosystem

    • An ecosystem consists of biotic (living organisms) and abiotic (physical environment) components, interacting as a system.
    • Energy flows through the ecosystem via food chains and webs, while nutrients cycle among organisms and the environment.
    • Key processes include photosynthesis, respiration, decomposition, and nutrient cycling, maintaining ecosystem health and balance.

    Terrestrial Environment

    • Soil profile consists of layers (horizons): organic matter (O horizon), topsoil (A horizon), subsoil (B horizon), and bedrock (C horizon).
    • Soil microflora includes bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes, and algae, which play crucial roles in:
      • Nutrient cycling
      • Organic matter decomposition
      • Soil structure maintenance

    Aquatic Environment

    • Freshwater habitats contain microflora like bacteria, cyanobacteria, algae, and protozoa, essential for:
      • Nutrient cycling
      • Water purification
    • Marine habitats host diverse microflora, including phytoplankton, bacteria, and archaea, which contribute to:
      • Primary production
      • Biogeochemical cycles
      • Marine food webs

    Atmospheric Environment

    • Aeromicroflora consists of airborne microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, and viruses.
    • These microbes are dispersed through air currents, weather events, and human activities.
    • Aeromicroflora impacts:
      • Air quality
      • Human health
      • Atmospheric processes (cloud formation, nutrient cycling)

    Animal Environment

    • Human microbiome includes bacteria, fungi, viruses, and archaea residing in and on the human body.
    • These microbes aid:
      • Digestion
      • Immune function
      • Overall health
    • In ruminants, microbes in the stomach (rumen) help:
      • Break down cellulose
      • Ferment plant materials
      • Nutrient absorption and energy production

    Extreme Habitats

    • Extremophiles are microbes that thrive in extreme conditions, including:
      • High/low temperature
      • Extreme pH
      • High hydrostatic pressure
      • High osmotic pressure
      • Low nutrient levels
    • These microbes adapt through specialized enzymes and cellular structures.

    Microbial Succession in Decomposition

    • Microbial succession in plant decomposition involves a sequence of microbial communities breaking down organic matter.
    • The process involves:
      • Initial degradation of simple compounds by bacteria and fungi
      • Breakdown of cellulose by cellulolytic microbes
      • Decomposition of complex molecules by lignin-degrading fungi
      • Recycling of nutrients back into the ecosystem

    Microbial Interactions

    • Microbial interactions encompass various relationships among microorganisms and between microorganisms and their environment.
    • These interactions determine the structure and function of microbial communities.
    • Types of microbial interactions include:

      Mutualism

      • Definition: A symbiotic relationship where both organisms benefit.
      • Example: Lichens (mutualistic relationship between fungi and photosynthetic algae or cyanobacteria)

      Synergism

      • Definition: An interaction where two organisms work together to achieve a result that neither could accomplish alone.
      • Example: Certain bacteria and fungi working together in soil to degrade complex organic compounds

      Commensalism

      • Definition: A relationship where one organism benefits, and the other is not affected.
      • (Example not provided)

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    Explore the structure and function of ecosystems, including biotic and abiotic components, energy flows, and nutrient cycling processes.

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