Microbiology Quiz

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Questions and Answers

Which group of microorganisms does NOT include any cellular organisms?

Eukaryotes

Prokaryotes

Acellular Infectious Agents (correct)

Algae

What is the primary characteristic of the binomial naming system developed by Carl Linnaeus?

It consists of two lowercase words.

It incorporates a three-part naming structure.

It includes a single word that combines genus and species.

It features a two-part system with the first part capitalized. (correct)

When formatting scientific names in online documents, how should they be styled?

With bold typeface to emphasize the name.

With an underline to highlight species.

In italics to distinguish the names. (correct)

In regular font without special formatting.

Which of the following is an example of a eukaryotic microorganism?

Yeast Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the first part of a binomial name?

It identifies the genus of the organism. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following examples of scientific names is formatted correctly for handwritten documents?

Escherichia coli Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following individuals contributed to the development of the scientific naming system for organisms?

Carl Linnaeus Signup and view all the answers

Which type of bond forms when atoms share pairs of electrons?

Covalent Bond Signup and view all the answers

What type of particles are formed when an atom loses an electron?

Cations Signup and view all the answers

How many hydrogen bonds can a single water molecule form with other water molecules?

Four Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of ionic bonds?

They result from attraction between ions of opposite charges. Signup and view all the answers

Why does ice float on water?

The hydrogen bonds in ice are more stable than in liquid water. Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary contribution of Robert Hooke to the field of microbiology?

Proposed the foundations of cell theory Signup and view all the answers

Antonie van Leeuwenhoek is best known for which of the following?

Constructing advanced microscopes to observe living microbes Signup and view all the answers

Which statement correctly reflects the theory of spontaneous generation?

Life can emerge from non-living substances Signup and view all the answers

How did Louis Pasteur contribute to the understanding of alcohol production?

He demonstrated that yeast is responsible for converting sugar to alcohol Signup and view all the answers

What was the prevailing belief concerning disease before the germ theory was established?

Illness is a divine punishment for misdeeds Signup and view all the answers

Pasteurization is primarily used to achieve which of the following?

Kill pathogens and prevent spoilage Signup and view all the answers

What technique did Louis Pasteur use to disprove spontaneous generation?

Swan necked flask experiments Signup and view all the answers

Fermentation, as explained by Pasteur, occurs under which of the following conditions?

In the absence of oxygen Signup and view all the answers

What was the first antimicrobial medication used to treat syphilis?

Salvarsan Signup and view all the answers

Which organism is known for producing penicillin?

Fungus mold discovered by Alexander Fleming Signup and view all the answers

What process is responsible for flavor development in chocolate?

Fermentation Signup and view all the answers

What is the capability of Ralstonia eutropha in biotechnology?

Making biodegradable plastics Signup and view all the answers

Which bacterium can break down trinitrotoluene (TNT) in contaminated soil?

Clostridium bifermentans Signup and view all the answers

What type of enzyme is used from Thermomonospora sp. for biofinishing denim?

Cellulase Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of penicillin is significant in medicine?

It is the first naturally occurring antibiotic. Signup and view all the answers

Which microbe is involved in the fermentation process of cacao seeds?

Lactobacilli Signup and view all the answers

Which method is considered more environmentally friendly for denim treatment?

Biofinishing using cellulase Signup and view all the answers

What principle did Edward Jenner's work on smallpox vaccination establish?

Exposure to mildly related diseases can confer immunity. Signup and view all the answers

What did Robert Koch demonstrate through his work on anthrax?

Specific bacteria can be linked to specific diseases. Signup and view all the answers

What was the key contribution of Joseph Lister to modern surgery?

Use of antiseptics to prevent infections. Signup and view all the answers

What concept is associated with Paul Ehrlich's research?

Selective toxicity can target microbes without harming host cells. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes Germ Theory of Disease?

Microbes are responsible for causing specific diseases. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following represents Koch's postulates?

A specific microbe must be present in diseased subjects and absent in healthy subjects. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was NOT a direct result of Pasteur’s findings?

Introduction of antiseptic techniques. Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the main outcomes of Robert Koch's research methodology?

Establishment of a standardized process to identify disease-causing microbes. Signup and view all the answers

Which advancement is primarily attributed to Edward Jenner?

Development of the first vaccination for smallpox. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Microbiology

Microbiology is the study of the microbial world.

Major Groups of Microorganisms

Three groups of microorganisms: Prokaryotes, Eukaryotes, and Acellular Infectious Agents

Characteristics of Microorganisms

Prokaryotes:
- Cell type: Prokaryotic
- Number of cells: Unicellular
- Membrane-bound organelles: No
- Ribosomal RNA sequences: Unique to the group
- Peptidoglycan in cell wall: Yes (in bacteria)
- Typical size range: 0.3–2 μm
Archaea:
- Cell type: Prokaryotic
- Number of cells: Unicellular
- Membrane-bound organelles: No
- Ribosomal RNA sequences: Unique to the group
- Peptidoglycan in cell wall: No
- Typical size range: 0.3–2 μm
Eukarya:
- Cell type: Eukaryotic
- Number of cells: Unicellular or Multicellular
- Membrane-bound organelles: Yes
- Ribosomal RNA sequences: Unique to the group
- Peptidoglycan in cell wall: No
- Typical size range: 5–50 μm

Scientific Names

Developed by Carl Linnaeus (1700s)
Latin style, reflects a characteristic or honors a scientist
Structure:
- 2-part naming system (Binomial system)
- Part 1 = Genus (capitalize the first letter)
- Part 2 = species (all lowercase)
Formatting:
- Online formats – use italics
- Handwritten formats – underline
- Abbreviate after first use to include only the first letter of the Genus

History of Microbiology

Key figures and events in microbiology history
- Robert Hooke (1665): Observed cells
- Antonie van Leeuwenhoek (1674): Observed microorganisms
Spontaneous generation vs. Biogenesis
- Spontaneous generation: belief that life can arise from nonliving matter
- Biogenesis: living matter arises only from pre-existing living matter
- Louis Pasteur (1861): Disproved spontaneous generation
Germ Theory of Disease
- Microorganisms cause certain diseases
- Joseph Lister (1860s): Used phenol to reduce surgical wound infections
- Robert Koch (1876): Claimed that specific microbes cause definite diseases demonstrated with anthrax and Koch's postulates
- Edward Jenner (1796): Developed a vaccine against smallpox
- Paul Ehrlich (1909): Noticed dyes that stained bacteria differently, proposed the concept of selective toxicity developed salvarsam to treat syphilis
- Alexander Fleming (1928): Discovered penicillin

Other interesting facts about microorganisms

Microbes can make vitamins
Microbes can make antibiotics
Microbes can make chocolate
Microbes can degrade explosives
Microbes can make plastics
Microbes can be used for biofinishing jeans
Microbes convert atmospheric nitrogen
Microbes degrade pollutants
Microbes can make food, cement and insecticides
Microbes are an essential component of a healthy human
Microbes play important roles in research
Microbes can be harmful (pathogens)

Microscopy

Light microscope: Uses visible light to observe specimens
Compound light microscope: Uses two lenses to magnify the image
Objective lens: Lens closest to the specimen. Magnifies between 4x to 100x
Ocular lens: The eyepiece. Magnifies by 10x
Resolution: ability to distinguish fine detail and structure. The shortest the wavelength the better
Electron microscope: Uses electrons instead of light. Resolution power is greater
Transmission electron microscope (TEM): Used to see internal structures.
Scanning electron microscope (SEM): Used to see surfaces.
Atomic force microscope (AFM): Used to see molecules.

Microbiology stains

Simple stains: use only one dye
Differential stains: react differently with different bacteria (Gram stain). Gram positives retain the stain (purple), Gram negatives do not (pink)
Acid-fast Stain: detects the presence of wax compounds in cell walls, typically used for Mycobacterium (e.g. tuberculosis)
Capsule stain: detects a thick polysaccharide layer; bacteria with a capsule retain the dye and appear colorless.

Cell structure (prokaryotes)

Prokaryotes (e.g., bacteria, archaea): DNA is not enclosed in a nucleus.
Eukaryotes: (e.g., fungi, protozoa, algae, plants, animals): DNA is enclosed in a nucleus, contains specialized organelles.
Bacteria:
- Shape: Coccus, Bacillus, Vibrio, Spirillum, Spirochete
- External structures: Capsules, slime layers, flagella, fimbriae, pili
- Internal structures: Cytoplasm, nucleoid (contains DNA), ribosomes, storage granules, endospores
Cell wall Structure and roles
- Peptidoglycan (in bacteria): a complex macromolecule that forms a mesh-like structure, important for bacterial shape and preventing cell rupture, and used in differentiating bacteria via the Gram stain.
- Gram-positive cell walls: Thick peptidoglycan layer, teichoic acids, cytoplasmic membrane
- Gram-negative cell walls: Thin peptidoglycan layer, outer membrane, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), cytoplasmic membrane
Cell Structure (Eukaryotes)*
Cytoplasm: The substance inside the plasma membrane of eukaryotes.
Cytoskeleton: made of protein filaments that give a cell shape, structure, and aids in the transport of substances.
Ribosomes: Sites of protein synthesis, larger and heavier (80S) than prokaryotic ribosomes.
Nucleoid: Contains the bacterial chromosome, which has all the genetic information for cell functions; may also have plasmids.
Endospores: Special resting structures that allow some Gram-positive bacteria to enter a dormant state.
Flagella, Cilia: Appendages that enable movement and transporting substances.
Membrane-Bound Organelles: Nucleus, Mitochondria, Chloroplasts, Golgi Apparatus, Peroxisomes, Lysosomes

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Description

Test your knowledge on microbiology concepts including classification, naming systems, and bond types. This quiz covers key contributions from historical figures such as Carl Linnaeus and Robert Hooke, as well as fundamental chemistry principles relevant to microorganisms.