Questions and Answers
Which type of microbe is known for causing diseases such as flu and HIV?
Bacteria can be seen with the naked eye.
False
What are the three main types of microbes?
Bacteria, viruses, fungi
A virus is made up of a protein coating and some ______.
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Match the following microbes with their characteristics:
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Which characteristic is true for viruses?
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Fungi are larger than bacteria in all cases.
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What is the size of bacteria compared to millimeters?
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What does yeast convert glucose into during anaerobic respiration?
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Fungi can cause diseases such as athlete’s foot and mumps.
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Name one disease caused by bacteria.
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Microbes can enter the body through the __________.
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Which of the following is NOT a way microbes can enter the body?
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Match each type of microbe to the corresponding disease:
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What is produced during the aerobic respiration of yeast that causes bread to rise?
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Fungi are the simplest structure of all microbes.
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White blood cells are responsible for identifying and destroying harmful microbes.
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What is the role of the immune system in fighting disease?
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What is Quorn™ and what is it made from?
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Yeast undergoes __________ respiration to produce alcohol during fermentation.
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Match the following uses of microbes to their descriptions:
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Which of the following is NOT a use of fungi?
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Bacteria can be used to make yoghurt by causing milk to 'go off'.
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Name one complex structure found in fungi.
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What is the primary function of white blood cells?
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Antibiotics can treat both viral and bacterial infections.
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What is antibiotic resistance?
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Vaccines contain dead or weakened strains of the ______ that causes the disease.
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Match the following immune defenses with their functions:
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Which method is NOT mentioned as a way to prevent the spread of disease?
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Antiseptics are used to disinfect surfaces only.
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How do vaccines protect against diseases?
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Study Notes
Microbes Overview
- Microbes, or micro-organisms, are tiny living entities that cannot be seen without a microscope.
- Types of microbes include bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
Bacteria
- Examples: Salmonella, Streptococcus.
- Size: Approximately 1/1000 mm.
- Shape: Can be spherical, rod-shaped, or comma-shaped.
- Structure: Single-celled, with genetic material not enclosed in a nucleus.
- Reproduction: Rapid, exponential growth; two can quickly become four, then eight.
Viruses
- Examples: Flu virus, HIV.
- Size: Approximately 1/1,000,000 mm.
- Shape: Regular and geometric forms.
- Structure: Simple organisms with a protein coat and genetic material; do not exhibit all characteristics of life.
- Reproduction: Require a host to grow and reproduce; adapt quickly to their environment.
Fungi
- Examples: Penicillium, yeast.
- Size: Ranges from visible to slightly larger than bacterial cells.
- Shape: Diverse forms.
- Structure: Complex structures; feed on other living organisms.
Uses of Microbes
- Bacteria are used in food production; they transform milk into yogurt and help in cheese making.
- Fungi are used to produce meat substitutes like Quorn™.
- Yeast (a type of fungus) assists in baking through aerobic respiration, which produces carbon dioxide to make bread rise.
- Yeast also conducts anaerobic respiration to produce alcohol during fermentation for beer and wine.
Microbes and Disease
- Microbes can cause various diseases, which vary in severity based on their type:
- Bacterial diseases: Food poisoning, tuberculosis, tetanus, cholera.
- Viral diseases: Influenza, mumps, chickenpox, HIV/AIDS.
- Fungal diseases: Athlete’s foot, onychomycosis (discolored toenails).
Microbe Entry and Spread
- Microbes can enter the body through various points: eyes, ears, nose, mouth, genitals, cuts, and skin.
- Methods of spreading diseases include direct contact, respiratory droplets, and contaminated surfaces.
Body Defenses Against Disease
- The immune system employs white blood cells to identify and eliminate harmful microbes by engulfing them.
- Antibodies produced by some white blood cells recognize specific antigens on microbes, aiding in the destruction of pathogens.
Disease Prevention Strategies
- Preventive measures include disinfecting surfaces, using antiseptics on skin, sterilizing equipment, incorporating food preservatives, and maintaining personal hygiene.
- Vaccination and antibiotics are effective tools in reducing disease spread.
Antibiotics and Vaccines
- Antibiotics: Chemicals that treat bacterial infections by killing or inhibiting bacteria; challenge from antibiotic-resistant strains.
- Vaccines: Contain dead or weakened microbes, stimulating the immune system to provide protection against diseases like measles.
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Description
Explore the fascinating world of microbes through this quiz. Learn about the different types of microbes including bacteria, viruses, and fungi, their sizes, structures, and reproduction methods. Test your knowledge on key examples and characteristics that define these tiny organisms.
