50 Questions
What type of mutation can change protein encoding?
Point mutations
In phylogenetics, what does a cluster of similar organisms based on DNA or protein sequences represent?
Clade
How is genetic distance typically summarized in phylogenetics?
% Similarity
Which type of tree in phylogenetics shows the inferred most recent ancestor at each node?
Rooted tree
What practical application does classification have in genomics and phylogenetics?
Identifying evolutionary relationships
What can horizontal transfer contribute to in terms of genomic diversity?
Promote antibiotic resistance
What is the distinguishing feature of genomics among the taxonomy methods mentioned in the text?
Whole genome sequencing
Which of the following is NOT a method used in genomics?
16S rRNA amplification
In taxonomic classification, what can cause confusion when based on genetics?
Horizontal gene transfer
What is the main purpose of using 16S rRNA in phylogenetics?
Utilizing slow rate of evolution
Which method provides the LEAST detailed information in microbial taxonomy?
Genomic analysis
What term refers to the passage of genetic information from parent to offspring?
Vertical transmission
Which of the following is true about the International committee for taxonomy of viruses (ICTV) system?
It has contributed to the ongoing debate on viral classification.
What is a key characteristic of prions?
They exist as multiple isoforms due to misfolded proteins.
Which domain does the biological entity 'Proteobacteria' belong to?
Domain Bacteria
What is the primary source of reproduction for viruses?
Host and resources
What is the main criterion for defining a species according to the taxonomic ranks mentioned in the text?
The ability to interbreed
Which of the following classification systems is NOT used for viral classification?
Linnaeus system
In microbiology, how is a 'strain' typically defined?
A genetic variant that varies slightly from others of the same species
What distinguishes prions from viruses?
Prions can exist in multiple misfolded isoforms, unlike viruses.
When referring to non-sexually reproducing organisms like bacteria, what constitutes a 'species' according to the text?
Shared stable properties
How are new genetic variants within a bacterial species typically described?
Strains
What term is used to describe a group of living organisms capable of interbreeding, even if geographically isolated?
Biological species
Which taxonomic rank defines a group that shares stable properties but differs significantly from other groups of strains in microbiology?
Species
Which biosafety level is associated with organisms causing severe human disease with no effective prophylaxis, treatment, or vaccination available?
BSL-4
What type of organisms are handled in BSL-4 facilities?
Ebola virus
What type of suits do personnel wear in BSL-4 facilities?
Pressurised suits with separate air supply
Which of the following is true about BSL-3 facilities?
There are no effective prophylaxis, treatment, or vaccination available for pathogens handled in BSL-3 facilities
What is a common feature of BSL-3 and BSL-4 facilities?
Highly regulated lab design and procedures
Which biosafety level involves personnel wearing laboratory specific PPE (or disposable), under negative air pressure?
BSL-3
What are the two competing systems for viral classification mentioned in the text?
Baltimore system and International committee for taxonomy of viruses (ICTV) system
What distinguishes prions from viruses?
Prions (PrP) are misfolded proteins that do not reproduce, while viruses are parasitic entities that require hosts and resources to reproduce.
List the taxonomic ranks from Domain down to Species for the biological entity 'Homo sapiens'.
Domain: Eukaryota, Kingdom: Animalia, Phylum: Chordata, Class: Mammalia, Order: Primates, Family: Hominidae, Genus: Homo, Species: sapiens
Explain the significance of different serotypes within a bacterial species.
Different serotypes within a bacterial species represent distinct variations in cell surface antigens, which can impact pathogenicity and immune response.
Discuss the challenges associated with defining a bacterial species based on genetics.
Defining a bacterial species based on genetics can be challenging due to the potential confusion caused by horizontal gene transfer, which can lead to variations in genetic makeup within a species.
Compare and contrast the classification methods used in genomics and phylogenetics.
Genomics focuses on the complete DNA sequence of an organism at a single time, providing detailed genetic information, while phylogenetics uses methods like 16S rRNA sequencing to infer evolutionary relationships based on genetic similarities.
Define a strain in microbiology and provide an example.
A strain is a genetic variant or subtype of a bacterial species that varies slightly from other members of the same species. For example, Staphylococcus aureus MRSA is a strain of Staphylococcus aureus.
Explain the concept of species in microbiology for organisms that do not reproduce sexually.
In microbiology, a species is a collection of strains that share stable properties but differ significantly from other groups of strains. For example, Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis belong to different species based on their genetic differences.
Differentiate between a species and a strain in microbiology, providing clear examples for each.
A species is a collection of strains that share stable properties but differ significantly from other groups of strains, while a strain is a genetic variant or subtype of a bacterial species that varies slightly from other members of the same species. For example, Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis belong to different species, but Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is a strain of Staphylococcus aureus.
Explain the taxonomic rank of species in microbiology and how it helps in classifying bacterial organisms.
In microbiology, species represent a group of strains that share stable properties but differ significantly from other groups of strains. This classification aids in identifying and categorizing bacterial organisms based on their genetic variations.
Which scientist first described the current three kingdoms of life Bacteria, Archea, Eucarya
woese
Which of the following would be an example of the species level of taxonomic classification
escherichia coli
1 pts Which of the following statements are true?
-
Taxonomy is the area of biological systematics by which life is defined by shared characteristics
-
Linnaeus first described the Protista in 1735
-
The definition of a species is the same for both sexually and asexually reproducing organisms
1
Which of following is the proper term which would define a bacterium that has lives at extremely cold temperatures?
psychrophile
Which of the following is an example of an acellular organism
HIV
Which of the following statements are true?
-
An organism which is able to survive in extreme conditions (e.g. temperature, pH etc) is called an extremophobe
-
The serotyping of Salmonella relies on the H and O antigens
-
Genotype classification can be confused by vertical gene transmission
2
Which of the following statements are true
-
A microbial species is a group of microorganisms that are capable of interbreeding even if geographically isolated
-
A microbial species is a collection of strains which share stable properties but had significant differences to other strains
-
A microbial species is a collection of strains which only vary slightly from different species through minor genetic changes
2
Which of the following was one of the kingdoms of life as described by Haeckel
protista
Which of the following would be an example of how bacteria could be classified phenotypically by biochemistry?
the production of bacterial enzymes
Which of the following describes the assignment of names to different types of organisms
nomenclature
Test your knowledge on microbial classification in the MPharm programme with Dr. Callum Cooper. Explore the differences between cellular and acellular microorganisms, main taxonomic groups, classification methods, and biological systematics.
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