Question 1

Which of the following statements best describes the concept of biogenesis as demonstrated by Louis Pasteur's swan-neck flask experiment?

Accepted Answer

Microorganisms in the air are necessary for the growth of microbes in sterile broth.

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic that distinguishes prokaryotes from eukaryotes?

Accepted Answer

Prokaryotes reproduce only sexually.

Question 3

A hospital patient develops a persistent infection on an indwelling catheter. Which microbial property most likely contributes to the difficulty in treating this infection?

Accepted Answer

The microbe forms a biofilm, providing protection from antibiotics.

Question 4

Which scientist is credited with first observing single-celled microorganisms, which he called 'animalcules', using a simple microscope?

Accepted Answer

Antonie van Leeuwenhoek

Question 5

Koch's postulates are used to establish a causative relationship between a microbe and a disease. Which of the following is NOT one of Koch's postulates?

Accepted Answer

The microorganism must be able to survive outside the host for at least 24 hours.

Question 6

Which of the following best explains why archaea were classified as a separate domain from bacteria?

Accepted Answer

Archaea have unique ribosomal RNA sequences distinct from bacteria and eukaryotes.

Question 7

Which process is described by the equation $C_6H_{12}O_6 \rightarrow 2C_2H_5OH + 2CO_2$ and was shown by Pasteur to be catalyzed by yeast?

Accepted Answer

Fermentation

Question 8

Which of the following is a benefit of microbes in the environment, as discovered by Winogradsky?

Accepted Answer

Microbes are responsible for bioremediation, breaking down pollutants.

Question 9

Which of the following best describes the human microbiome?

Accepted Answer

The community of microbes that live stably on and in the human body, often providing benefits.

Question 10

Which of the following is a plausible reason for the emergence of new infectious diseases (EIDs)?

Accepted Answer

Mutation and acquisition of new genes by microbes.

Question 11

Which of the following statements about antibiotics is correct?

Accepted Answer

Antibiotics are naturally produced by certain microbes and can inhibit or kill other microbes.

Question 12

Which of the following best describes the process of metagenomics?

Accepted Answer

Analyzing all genomic DNA from an environmental sample to study unculturable microbes.

Question 13

Which of the following is NOT a way in which microbes impact human life?

Accepted Answer

Microbes always cause disease and have no beneficial effects.

Question 14

Which of the following is a correct statement about the nitrogen cycle?

Accepted Answer

Bacteria and archaea drive the conversion of nitrogen between its various forms.

Question 15

Which of the following is a key feature of an attenuated vaccine?

Accepted Answer

It uses a weakened form of the pathogen to stimulate immunity.

Question 16

Which of the following equations represents the conversion of glucose to ethanol and carbon dioxide during fermentation?

Accepted Answer

$C_6H_{12}O_6 \rightarrow 2C_2H_5OH + 2CO_2$

Question 17

Which of the following best describes a biofilm?

Accepted Answer

A community of microbes attached to a surface and embedded in a protective matrix.

Question 18

Which scientist is associated with the development of the first vaccine using cowpox to protect against smallpox?

Accepted Answer

Edward Jenner

Question 19

Which of the following is a correct statement about the taxonomy of microbes?

Accepted Answer

Microbial taxonomy now includes three domains: Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya.

Question 20

A scientist wants to identify an unknown microbe from a soil sample. Which approach would best allow her to study microbes that cannot be cultured in the lab?

Accepted Answer

Use metagenomics to sequence all DNA in the sample.

Chapter 1: The Microbial World & You – Foundations of Microbiology

Study Guide - Practice Questions

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