Question 1

Which of the following best describes the difference between assimilative and dissimilative metabolism in microorganisms?

Accepted Answer

Assimilative metabolism uses reduced products for biosynthesis, while dissimilative metabolism excretes reduced products from the cell.

Question 2

During anaerobic respiration, which of the following can serve as a final electron acceptor?

Accepted Answer

Nitrate ($NO_3^-$)

Question 3

Which process is responsible for the production of foul-smelling compounds during the putrefaction of organic matter?

Accepted Answer

Clostridial fermentation of amino acids

Question 4

In the denitrification pathway, which gas is produced as a result of the reduction of nitrous oxide ($N_2O$)?

Accepted Answer

Dinitrogen ($N_2$)

Question 5

Which of the following is a characteristic product of mixed-acid fermentation by enteric bacteria?

Accepted Answer

Succinic acid

Question 6

A bacterium is found in an environment lacking oxygen but rich in nitrate. Which metabolic process is it most likely to use for energy generation?

Accepted Answer

Anaerobic respiration using nitrate as the electron acceptor

Question 7

Which of the following equations represents the reduction of nitrate to nitrite during anaerobic respiration?

Accepted Answer

$NO_3^- + 2e^- + 2H^+ \rightarrow NO_2^- + H_2O$

Question 8

Which fermentation product is important in the ripening of Swiss cheese and is produced by Propionibacterium?

Accepted Answer

Propionic acid

Question 9

Syntrophy is best described as:

Accepted Answer

A process where two or more microbes cooperate to degrade a substrate that neither can degrade alone.

Question 10

Which of the following is a secondary fermentation product that can be further metabolized by syntrophic bacteria?

Accepted Answer

Ethanol

Question 11

Methanogenesis is carried out by methanogens and can be represented by which of the following equations?

Accepted Answer

$CO_2 + 4H_2 \rightarrow CH_4 + 2H_2O$

Question 12

Which of the following is NOT a common final electron acceptor in anaerobic respiration?

Accepted Answer

Oxygen ($O_2$)

Question 13

Which Clostridium species is known for fermenting amino acids and producing foul-smelling compounds?

Accepted Answer

Clostridium perfringens

Question 14

Which of the following best explains why bacteria are responsible for the odor of putrefaction?

Accepted Answer

They catabolize amino acids to yield fatty acid derivatives and ammonia.

Question 15

Which of the following is a key energetic consideration in fermentation compared to respiration?

Accepted Answer

Fermentation relies on substrate-level phosphorylation for ATP production.

Question 16

A microorganism is found in a deep soil environment with no oxygen and no nitrate, but with abundant organic compounds. Which metabolic process is it most likely to use?

Accepted Answer

Fermentation

Question 17

Which of the following is a product of lactic acid fermentation?

Accepted Answer

Lactic acid

Question 18

Which of the following reactions is an example of substrate-level phosphorylation?

Accepted Answer

$ADP + P_i \rightarrow ATP$

Question 19

Which of the following statements about secondary fermentation is correct?

Accepted Answer

It involves the fermentation of products generated by primary fermentation.

Question 20

Which of the following is a neutral product sometimes generated during mixed-acid fermentation?

Accepted Answer

Butanediol

Microbial Respiration and Fermentation: Principles, Pathways, and Ecological Impacts

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