30 Questions
What is the primary function of microbes in maintaining balance in the environment?
Recycling of nutrients
How do ecologists utilize principles of microbiology in their studies?
To understand nutrient recycling processes
What is the study of algae called?
Phycology
Which childhood diseases have been nearly eradicated through disease control vaccines?
Polio and Smallpox
Which organisms need light, water, and carbon dioxide for food production and growth?
Algae
How do geneticists utilize microbes in their studies?
To study how hereditary information is transferred
What is the common name for parasitic flatworms and roundworms?
Helminths
What is the key aspect of writing a scientific name using binomial nomenclature?
Using Latinized names consisting of genus and species
Which type of viruses consist of DNA or RNA core surrounded by a protein coat?
Bacteriophages
Which scientist is credited with developing the binomial system of nomenclature for naming microorganisms?
Carolus Linnaeus
What structures does the head of tapeworm Acanthrocirrus retrirostris have for attaching to a host’s intestinal tissues?
Suckers and hooks
Which type of microscopy was used to capture the image of the liver fluke, Fasciola hepatica?
Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM)
What is the characteristic of Archaea?
Live in extreme environments
What is the function of Staphylothermus marinus in deep ocean hydrothermal vents?
Thrives on volcanic sulfur
Which extremophile can survive in temperatures as low as -2.5°C?
Methanococcoides burtonii
What is the primary energy source for Fungi?
Organic chemicals
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of fungi?
Production of oxygen during metabolism
What is the scientific study of fungi known as?
Mycology
How do protozoa move?
By pseudopods, flagella, or cilia
What is the main mode of nutrition for many protozoa?
Engulfing or ingesting smaller microorganisms
In what environments can protozoa be found?
Variety of water and soil environments
Which organelle do some protozoa use for photosynthesis?
Chloroplasts
What is the main component of the cell walls of many algae?
Cellulose
Where are algae usually abundant?
In soil and association with plants
What is the defining characteristic of Streptococcus pyogenes?
Appearance of cells in chains
Which organism is associated with making beer?
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
What is the classification of living organisms according to Carl Woese's three domains?
Bacteria, archaea, and eukarya
What is the defining characteristic of Penicillium chrysogenum?
Tuftlike or paintbrush appearance microscopically
Which domain of life lacks peptidoglycan in its cell walls?
Archaea
What does Trypanosoma cruzi's name suggest about its classification?
Borer body
Study Notes
Importance of Microbiology
- Microorganisms play a crucial role in maintaining balance in the environment through recycling of nutrients and bioremediation.
- They form the base of the food chain in aquatic environments and are responsible for photosynthesis and digestion.
- Microorganisms have commercial applications in producing chemicals, antibiotics, and enzymes, and are used in the food industry.
Reasons for Studying Microbiology
- Studying microbiology provides insight into life processes in all living organisms.
- Ecologists draw on microbiology principles to understand how matter is decomposed and recycled.
- Biochemists use microbes to study metabolic pathways, and geneticists use them to study hereditary information transfer.
Microorganism Classification and Naming
- Microorganisms are named using the binomial system of nomenclature, with a genus and species name (e.g., Escherichia coli).
- Carolus Linnaeus introduced the binomial system in 1735.
Characteristics of Microorganisms
- Algae are photosynthetic eukaryotes with a wide variety of shapes and reproductive forms.
- Viruses are acellular, consisting of a DNA or RNA core surrounded by a protein coat, and are replicated only in living host cells.
- Multicellular animal parasites, such as helminths, are eukaryotic and have microscopic stages in their life cycles.
- Archaea are prokaryotic, lack peptidoglycan, and thrive in extreme environments.
- Fungi are eukaryotes with chitin cell walls, using organic chemicals for energy, and are widely distributed in water and soil.
- Protozoa are unicellular, eukaryotic, and most are motile, with various shapes and reproductive forms.
Examples of Microorganisms
- Escherichia coli (bacterium)
- Spirillum (bacterium with spiral or curved shape)
- Staphylothermus marinus (extremophile archaeon)
- Sulfolobus (extremophile archaeon)
- Methanococcoides burtonii (extremophile archaeon)
- Fungi (e.g., molds, mushrooms, and yeasts)
- Protozoa (e.g., Amoeba, Euglena)
- Algae (e.g., seaweeds, kelp)
Classification of Living Organisms
- Carl Woese identified three domains of life: Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya.
- The three domains of life are based on the cell walls and membrane composition of the organisms.
Explore the significance of studying microbiology, including its role in pathogenicity, environmental balance, bioremediation, food production, and more. Understand how microbiology provides insight into life processes across various lifeforms.
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