$$\text{C}_6\text{H}_{12}\text{O}_6 \rightarrow 2\text{C}_2\text{H}_5\text{OH} + 2\text{CO}_2$$

Question 1

Which of the following best describes the role of soil microbes in the environment?

Accepted Answer

They break down wastes and recycle chemical elements such as nitrogen.

Question 2

The human microbiome is important for health because it:

Accepted Answer

Aids in digestion, prevents growth of pathogenic microbes, and trains the immune system.

Question 3

Which factor does NOT influence where and whether a microbe can colonize the human body?

Accepted Answer

The age of the host

Question 4

According to binomial nomenclature, which is the correct way to write the scientific name of the bacterium that causes bubonic plague?

Accepted Answer

Yersinia pestis

Question 5

Which of the following is NOT a type of microorganism studied in microbiology?

Accepted Answer

Plants

Question 6

Which statement about bacteria is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

Bacteria reproduce by binary fission.

Question 7

Archaea differ from bacteria in that:

Accepted Answer

Archaea are usually found in extreme environments.

Question 8

Which of the following is a characteristic of fungi?

Accepted Answer

Their cell walls are composed primarily of chitin.

Question 9

Protozoa can move by all of the following EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Hyphae

Question 10

Which of the following statements about viruses is correct?

Accepted Answer

Viruses replicate only by using the cellular machinery of their host.

Question 11

Which of the following is NOT a domain in Carl Woese’s classification system?

Accepted Answer

Virus

Question 12

Which scientist is credited with disproving spontaneous generation by demonstrating that microbes do not arise from nonliving matter?

Accepted Answer

Louis Pasteur

Question 13

Pasteurization is a process that involves:

Accepted Answer

Heating beer and wine just enough to kill most bacteria that cause spoilage.

Question 14

Which of the following is NOT one of Koch’s postulates?

Accepted Answer

The microorganism must be able to photosynthesize.

Question 15

Edward Jenner’s work with cowpox led to the development of:

Accepted Answer

Vaccination

Question 16

Which equation best represents the process of fermentation by yeast?

Accepted Answer

$$	ext{C}_6	ext{H}_{12}	ext{O}_6 ightarrow 2	ext{C}_2	ext{H}_5	ext{OH} + 2	ext{CO}_2$$

Question 17

Which of the following is a major challenge in developing drugs for viral diseases?

Accepted Answer

Many antiviral drugs are toxic to humans.

Question 18

Which scientific discipline focuses on the study of immunity?

Accepted Answer

Immunology

Question 19

Recombinant DNA technology allows for:

Accepted Answer

The creation of hybrid DNA molecules by attaching fragments of human or animal DNA to bacterial DNA.

Question 20

Emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) are characterized by:

Accepted Answer

Increasing or having the potential to increase in incidence due to evolutionary changes, geographic spread, or ecological changes.

1 The Microbial World and You: Foundations of Microbiology

Study Guide - Practice Questions