Question 1

Which of the following best describes the primary function of ATP in microbial cells?

Accepted Answer

Serves as the main energy currency for cellular work

Question 2

A chemolithotroph is an organism that obtains energy by:

Accepted Answer

Oxidizing inorganic compounds

Question 3

Which of the following is a correct example of a chemoorganotroph?

Accepted Answer

A bacterium oxidizing glucose for energy

Question 4

In the context of microbial metabolism, what is the significance of the 'redox tower'?

Accepted Answer

It ranks electron donors and acceptors by their reduction potential $$E'_{0}$$

Question 5

Which of the following statements about fermentation is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

Fermentation uses an organic molecule as both electron donor and acceptor

Question 6

A bacterium that uses H\_2 as an electron donor and CO\_2 as a carbon source is best classified as a:

Accepted Answer

Chemolithoautotroph

Question 7

Which of the following is a key feature of cyanobacteria?

Accepted Answer

They perform oxygenic photosynthesis

Question 8

What is the main role of heterocysts in filamentous cyanobacteria?

Accepted Answer

Nitrogen fixation

Question 9

Which of the following best explains why ATP is considered an 'energy-rich' compound?

Accepted Answer

It contains high-energy anhydride bonds between phosphate groups

Question 10

A microbe that uses light for energy and organic compounds for carbon is classified as a:

Accepted Answer

Photoheterotroph

Question 11

Which of the following is a correct description of the Calvin cycle?

Accepted Answer

It is a pathway for carbon fixation that requires ATP and NADH

Question 12

Sulfur-oxidizing bacteria typically use which of the following as electron donors?

Accepted Answer

H\_2S and S	extdegree

Question 13

Which of the following is a characteristic of sulfate-reducing bacteria?

Accepted Answer

They use SO\_$$4^{2-} as a $$terminal electron acceptor

Question 14

In microbial metabolism, what is the main difference between aerobic and anaerobic respiration?

Accepted Answer

The terminal electron acceptor is O\_2 in aerobic and a different compound in anaerobic respiration

Question 15

Which of the following best describes the role of the proton motive force in microbial cells?

Accepted Answer

It drives ATP synthesis via ATPase

Question 16

A bacterium that oxidizes Fe	extsuperscript{2+} for energy and fixes CO\_2 for carbon is classified as a:

Accepted Answer

Chemolithoautotroph

Question 17

Which of the following is a plausible reason why some bacteria store energy in the form of glycogen or poly-$$ \beta -$$hydroxybutyrate?

Accepted Answer

To provide a reserve of energy that can be catabolized to produce ATP when external sources are scarce

Question 18

Which of the following is TRUE about anoxygenic phototrophs?

Accepted Answer

They do not produce O\_2 during photosynthesis

Question 19

In a microbial community, why is it important that compounds reduced by one group of microbes are oxidized by another?

Accepted Answer

It ensures the cycling of elements such as carbon, sulfur, and nitrogen

Question 20

Which of the following best explains why the difference in reduction potential ($$\Delta E'_{0}) $$between electron donor and acceptor is important in microbial metabolism?

Accepted Answer

A larger $$\Delta E'_{0}$$ results in more energy being released for cellular work

Microbial Metabolism and Metabolic Diversity: Energy Conservation and Functional Diversity

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