Microbial Physiology Quiz

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following best describes the internal pH regulation of a bacterial cell when exposed to a highly acidic external environment?

  • The cell relies on osmosis to bring in neutralizing molecules from the external environment
  • Ion pumps actively maintain a relatively neutral internal pH, regardless of external pH. (correct)
  • The cell's internal pH passively adjusts to match the external acidic pH.
  • The cell's internal pH becomes more acidic in response to the external pH.

Which of the following bacterial classifications best describes a bacterium that thrives at a pH of 9?

  • Alkalophile (correct)
  • Neutrophile
  • Halophile
  • Acidophile

What does the term 'aw' refer to in the context of microbial physiology?

  • The total salt content in a solution.
  • The concentration of all solutes in a solution.
  • The water potential of the environment.
  • The ratio of the vapor pressure of a solution to that of pure water. (correct)

A bacterium that can grow in a medium containing 7% NaCl but does not require such concentration is termed:

<p>Halotolerant. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which bacterial genera is best known to grow well in conditions with pH between 5 and 6?

<p>Lactobacillus (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following reactive oxygen species (ROS) is NOT produced during oxygen utilization by bacteria?

<p>H2O (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which bacterial species is capable of growth at a pH of approximately 6.7?

<p>Mycobacterium (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

An organism that requires 25% NaCl to grow would be best classified as a/an...

<p>Extreme halophile (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical pH range in which the majority of bacteria are found to grow optimally?

<p>pH 6-8 (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Fungi are typically classified as ______ owing to the pH that is most suitable for them.

<p>Acidophiles (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which enzyme is responsible for converting superoxide radicals ($O_2^−$) into hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$) and oxygen ($O_2$)?

<p>Superoxide dismutase (SOD) (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A bacterium isolated from a hot spring is found to have a growth range between 65°C and 100°C, with optimal growth at 90°C. Which term best describes this bacterium?

<p>Hyperthermophile (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

An organism that thrives in the presence of oxygen but does not use it for energy production is classified as what?

<p>Aerotolerant anaerobe (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following temperature ranges is most likely to support the growth of a psychrotrophic bacteria?

<p>0°C to 30°C (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following organisms would be expected to possess both superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase?

<p>Mycobacterium (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A microorganism cultured in thioglycolate broth shows growth only at the bottom of the tube. How would it be classified?

<p>Anaerobic (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A microbiologist is studying an organism that thrives at human body temperature. Based on the provided information, what classification is this organism most likely to be?

<p>Mesophile (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

If a bacterial culture is incubated at a temperature below its minimum growth temperature, what is the most likely outcome?

<p>There will be no growth or multiplication (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the role of catalase in bacterial cells?

<p>Breaking down hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A bacterium that has an optimal growth temperature of 12°C is best described as a:

<p>Psychrophile (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of a microaerophile regarding its oxygen requirements?

<p>It requires a low concentration of oxygen for optimal growth. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following genera includes species that are obligate anaerobes?

<p>Bacteroides (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the temperature range of a mesophile?

<p>10°C to 48°C (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the lowest temperature at which a bacterial species can grow?

<p>Minimum growth temperature (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of thioglycolate in thioglycolate broth?

<p>It reduces oxygen to create anaerobic conditions. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A researcher isolates a new bacterium that grows well at 60°C. How would this bacterium be classified?

<p>Thermophile (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for bacteria that require elevated levels of $CO_2$ for growth?

<p>Capnophiles (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of these options lists a physical requirement for microbial growth?

<p>Temperature (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following characteristics is unique to facultative anaerobes?

<p>They can grow with or without oxygen. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

If a bacterial species grows optimally at 37°C, yet can also grow at 30°C and 40°C, the growth range is between 30°C and 40°C. Which category would this species fall under?

<p>Mesophile (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Minimum Growth Temperature

The lowest temperature at which bacteria can grow.

Optimum Growth Temperature

The temperature at which bacteria grow best.

Maximum Growth Temperature

The highest temperature at which bacteria can grow.

Temperature Range

The range of temperatures between the minimum and maximum growth temperatures.

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Psychrophiles

Bacteria that thrive in cold temperatures, typically between -10 and 20°C.

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Psychrotrophs

Bacteria that tolerate cold temperatures, typically between 0 and 30°C.

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Mesophiles

Bacteria that grow best at moderate temperatures, typically between 10 and 48°C.

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Thermophiles

Bacteria that thrive in hot temperatures, typically between 40 and 72°C.

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Hyperthermophiles

Bacteria that thrive in extremely hot temperatures, typically between 65 and 110°C.

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Bacterial Growth

The ability of bacteria to grow and multiply.

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What is pH?

The measure of hydrogen ion concentration in a solution. It's a logarithmic scale, with lower pH values indicating higher acidity.

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What are Neutrophiles?

Microorganisms that grow best in a slightly acidic to slightly alkaline environment, with a pH range of 6.8 to 7.4.

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What are Acidophiles?

Microorganisms that thrive in acidic environments, often with pH values below 6.0.

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What are Alkalophiles?

Microorganisms that grow best in alkaline environments, often with pH values above 8.5.

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What is Osmotic Pressure?

The pressure that a solution exerts on a semipermeable membrane due to the difference in solute concentration between the solution and the surrounding medium. This pressure affects the movement of water molecules.

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What are Non-halophiles?

Organisms that thrive in environments with normal osmotic pressure. They are able to grow in solutions with similar solute concentrations as their internal environment.

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What are Osmotolerant/Halotolerant?

Organisms that can tolerate a wide range of osmotic pressures. They can survive in environments with high salt concentrations.

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What are Obligate Halophiles/Osmophiles?

Organisms that require high osmotic pressure for growth. They typically thrive in environments with high salt concentrations, like salt lakes.

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What is Water Activity (aw)?

The amount of water available to microorganisms. It's expressed as a ratio of the vapor pressure of the solution to the vapor pressure of pure water.

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What are Obligate Anaerobes?

Oxygen is toxic to these microbes, so they live in environments with little or no oxygen. They can’t use oxygen to perform respiration, but rather use other substances to survive.

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Detoxifying enzymes

Enzymes that protect bacteria from reactive oxygen species (ROS) by breaking them down into less harmful molecules.

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Superoxide dismutase (SOD)

An enzyme that converts superoxide radicals (O2-) into hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and oxygen (O2).

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Catalase

An enzyme that breaks down hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) into water (H2O) and oxygen (O2).

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Obligate aerobes

Organisms that require oxygen for energy production and have both SOD and Catalase enzymes.

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Facultative anaerobes

Organisms that can grow with or without oxygen and possess both SOD and catalase.

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Aerotolerant anaerobes

Organisms that tolerate oxygen but don't use it for energy. They possess only SOD.

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Microaerophiles

Organisms that need low levels of oxygen for growth. They possess SOD and sometimes catalase.

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Obligate anaerobes

Organisms that cannot grow in the presence of oxygen. They lack both catalase and SOD.

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Thioglycolate broth

A culture medium that contains a reducing agent, providing both aerobic and anaerobic conditions for bacterial growth.

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Capnophiles

Bacteria that require high concentrations of carbon dioxide (5-10%) for growth.

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Study Notes

Microbial Growth and Nutrition

  • Microbial growth involves distinct phases: lag phase, log phase, stationary phase, and death phase
  • The lag phase is an initial period where cells adapt to their environment before rapid growth
  • The log phase displays rapid exponential growth of bacteria
  • The stationary phase occurs when the rate of cell growth equals the rate of cell death
  • The death phase describes the exponential decrease in viable bacterial cell count

Expected Student Learning Outcomes

  • Students should be able to identify the requirements for bacterial growth
  • Differentiate microorganisms based on their growth requirements
  • Understand the phases of bacterial growth
  • Explain the clinical significance of bacterial growth patterns

Growth Requirements (Physical)

  • Temperature: Each bacteria has distinct temperature requirements
    • Minimum growth temperature: lowest temperature that allows bacterial growth
    • Optimum growth temperature: temperature at which bacteria grow the fastest
    • Maximum growth temperature: highest temperature at which bacteria can still grow
    • Range between minimum and maximum allows optimal growth
  • pH: The external pH influences bacterial growth. Most organisms thrive within pH 6 to 8. Some are adapted to grow at higher or lower pHs. Internal pH in cells is maintained near neutral by active transport
  • Osmotic pressure: Osmotic pressure depends on the surrounding solution's solute concentration and water activity. Water activity (aw) is the ratio of solution vapor pressure to pure water vapor pressure
    • Non-halophiles require isotonic or hypotonic conditions for optimal growth
    • Osmotolerant bacteria tolerate varying osmotic pressures
    • Obligate or extreme halophiles/osmophiles require higher salt concentrations for growth

Growth Requirements (Gaseous)

  • Oxygen (O2): Oxygen types influence bacterial growth

    • Obligate aerobes need oxygen
    • Facultative anaerobes can grow in O2 or its absence
    • Aerotolerant anaerobes tolerate O2 but don't use it
    • Microaerophiles grow best at low O2 levels
    • Obligate anaerobes cannot tolerate O2
  • Carbon dioxide (CO2): Some aerobic bacteria require elevated CO2 for growth (Capnophiles)

Classification of Bacteria Based on Temperature

  • Psychrophiles grow optimally in cold temperatures
  • Psychrotrophs tolerate colder temperatures yet have optimum growth slightly above that of psychrophiles
  • Mesophiles grow best at temperatures close to body temperature
  • Thermophiles thrive at relatively high temperatures
  • Hyperthermophiles flourish in extremely high temperatures

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