$\frac{40\text{ trillion}}{30\text{ trillion}}$

Question 1

Which of the following best describes the difference between 'germs' and 'microorganisms' as discussed in the study materials?

Accepted Answer

Germs refer to any rapidly growing cells, while microorganisms include all minute living things, both harmful and beneficial.

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT a function performed by microorganisms in our lives?

Accepted Answer

Causing all known human diseases

Question 3

A scientist wants to prevent food spoilage in a dairy plant. Which knowledge about microorganisms would be most useful for this purpose?

Accepted Answer

Identifying the types of microbes that cause spoilage and how to control their growth

Question 4

According to the study materials, what is the approximate ratio of bacterial cells to human body cells in a typical human?

Accepted Answer

$\frac{40	ext{ trillion}}{30	ext{ trillion}}$

Question 5

Which statement about the human microbiome is correct?

Accepted Answer

It helps train the immune system to discriminate threats.

Question 6

Which of the following is a goal of the Human Microbiome Project?

Accepted Answer

To determine the makeup of typical microbiota in various areas of the body

Question 7

Why is scientific nomenclature important in microbiology?

Accepted Answer

It provides a standardized, worldwide system for naming organisms.

Question 8

Given the scientific name Staphylococcus aureus, which part refers to the genus and which to the species?

Accepted Answer

Staphylococcus is the genus; aureus is the species epithet.

Question 9

Which of the following correctly describes the formatting of scientific names?

Accepted Answer

The genus is capitalized and the species epithet is lowercase.

Question 10

Carl Woese's classification system introduced domains based on which criterion?

Accepted Answer

Cellular organization

Question 11

Which of the following is NOT considered a microorganism according to the study materials?

Accepted Answer

Multicellular animals such as tapeworms

Question 12

A newborn baby acquires its microbiota primarily through which process?

Accepted Answer

Colonization at birth and exposure to the environment

Question 13

Which of the following is a plausible consequence of disrupting the human microbiome?

Accepted Answer

Reduced ability to prevent growth of pathogenic microbes

Question 14

Which of the following best explains why colonization by microbiota can only occur at certain body sites?

Accepted Answer

Only those sites provide nutrients and the right environment for the microbes to grow.

Question 15

Which of the following is an example of a scientific name that honors a scientist and describes a habitat?

Accepted Answer

Escherichia coli, named after Theodor Escherich and found in the colon

Question 16

Which of the following is a correct application of the knowledge of microorganisms in preventing epidemics?

Accepted Answer

Understanding the transmission routes of pathogens to implement control measures

Question 17

If a scientist discovers a new microbe that produces oxygen by photosynthesis, which group is it most likely to belong to?

Accepted Answer

Algae

Question 18

Which of the following statements about transient microbiota is correct?

Accepted Answer

They colonize the body fleetingly and do not remain permanently.

Question 19

Which initiative started in 2016 to explore the role of microbes in different ecosystems?

Accepted Answer

The National Microbiome Initiative (NMI)

Question 20

Which of the following is a plausible real-world application of the knowledge of the human microbiome?

Accepted Answer

Developing probiotics to maintain or restore healthy microbiota

Chapter 1: The Microbial World and You – Introduction to Microbiology

Study Guide - Practice Questions