Introduction to Environmental Microbiology Quiz

Introduction to Environmental Microbiology

• Environmental microbiology is the study of the composition and physiology of microbial communities in the environment (soil, water, air, and sediments, and other artificial environments).
• It concentrates on the application of microbes in resolving environmental problems, such as water and wastewater treatment, biogas production, and solid waste management.

Microbiology

• Microbiology is the discipline that deals with microorganisms, which are living things that cannot be seen with our naked eye.
• Microorganisms can be classified into cellular microbes (bacteria, archaea, fungi, protists) and acellular microbes (viruses and other infectious agents).
• Microbes can be unicellular or multicellular and are fairly simple agents/organisms that are not highly differentiated.

Cellular Structure of Microorganisms

• Flagella (singular flagellum) are appendages that allow bacteria to quickly move towards a point source of nutrients.
• Fimbriae (singular fimbria) are numerous short surface appendages that aid in attachment of cells to surfaces, important for initial colonization and biofilm formation.
• Pili (singular pilus) are longer appendages involved in a mating process, only found in Gram-negative bacteria.

Internal Structure of Microorganisms

• Ribosomes turn mRNA into proteins (translation) and are highly conserved in structure and function.
• Cytoplasm is the gel-like fluid that fills each cell, providing an aqueous environment for chemical reactions.
• DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is the genetic material of the cell, containing instructions for the cell's abilities and characteristics.

Microbial Ecology

• Lichens are an example of mutualism between fungi and algae, where algae provide nutrients to fungi and fungi provide water and minerals to algae.
• Microorganisms have different ecological interactions, including commensalistic relationships, competition, predation, and amensalism (antagonism).
• Microorganisms play a crucial role in maintaining ecosystem stability and diversity.

Test your knowledge on the fundamentals of Environmental Microbiology including the biology of microbes, classification of microorganisms, and microbial ecology. This quiz is based on a lecture on Environmental Microbiology by Dr. Tsedekech G/mesekel.