Question 1

Which of the following physical factors most directly influences the lag phase duration in bacterial growth?

Accepted Answer

The initial temperature of incubation

Question 2

A wastewater treatment plant uses activated sludge to remove organic matter. Which microbial process is most responsible for the reduction of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD)?

Accepted Answer

Aerobic respiration by saprophytic bacteria

Question 3

Which equation correctly describes the exponential growth of bacteria, where $N$ is the final number of cells, $N_0$ is the initial number, and $n$ is the number of generations?

Accepted Answer

$N = N_0 	imes 2^n$

Question 4

Which of the following is a micronutrient required for microbial growth?

Accepted Answer

Zinc (Zn)

Question 5

A facultative anaerobe is placed in an environment with no oxygen. What will most likely happen?

Accepted Answer

It will switch to anaerobic metabolism and continue to grow.

Question 6

Which chemical agent is most effective for surface disinfection in a hospital setting?

Accepted Answer

Ethanol (alcohol)

Question 7

During nitrogen fixation, which enzyme is responsible for converting atmospheric nitrogen ($N_2$) into ammonia ($NH_3$)?

Accepted Answer

Nitrogenase

Question 8

Which of the following best describes the process of horizontal gene transfer by conjugation?

Accepted Answer

Direct transfer of plasmid DNA between bacteria through a pilus

Question 9

A bacterial cell is exposed to hydrogen peroxide. Which cellular defense mechanism is most likely to protect it?

Accepted Answer

Production of catalase enzyme

Question 10

Which of the following statements about microbial resistance to biocides is correct?

Accepted Answer

Resistance can be due to efflux pumps that remove toxic compounds.

Question 11

Which of the following is NOT a step in the flow of genetic information in a prokaryotic cell?

Accepted Answer

Splicing of introns

Question 12

A mutation changes a codon from $UAC$ to $UAA$. What type of mutation is this?

Accepted Answer

Nonsense mutation

Question 13

Which of the following best describes the role of the RecA protein in bacterial cells?

Accepted Answer

It facilitates homologous recombination.

Question 14

Which process is most likely to increase greenhouse gas emissions from wastewater treatment plants?

Accepted Answer

Denitrification under anaerobic conditions

Question 15

Which of the following is a real-world example of vertical gene transfer?

Accepted Answer

Inheritance of genetic traits from parent to offspring during cell division

Question 16

Which equation would you use to calculate the generation time ($g$) of a bacterial culture if you know the initial cell number $N_0$, final cell number $N$, and time elapsed $t$?

Accepted Answer

$g = \frac{t}{n}$, where $n = \frac{\log_{10} N - \log_{10} N_0}{\log_{10} 2}$

Question 17

Which of the following best explains why high salt concentrations inhibit microbial growth?

Accepted Answer

Salt increases osmotic pressure, causing water to leave the cell.

Question 18

Which of the following is a selective chemical agent used for disinfection?

Accepted Answer

Chlorine

Question 19

Which of the following is a common misconception about the nitrogen cycle?

Accepted Answer

Nitrification produces greenhouse gases.

Question 20

Which of the following best describes the difference between sterilization and disinfection?

Accepted Answer

Sterilization removes all microbes, while disinfection reduces microbial load.

Comprehensive Study Notes for Microbial Growth, Environmental Microbiology, and Microbial Genetics

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards