57. PROKARYOTE ROLE IN THE BIOSPHERE

Question 1

1. What are the Prokaryotes two main roles in the Biosphere?

Answer 1

1. Chemical Recycling
2. Ecological Interactions

Question 2

2. What is Chemical Recycling?

Answer 2

• it is the recycling of chemical elements
• this happens between living and non-living
  components of the Ecosystems

Question 3

3. What are Decomposers?

Answer 3

• they are Chemoheterotrophic Prokaryotes
• they break down dead organisms
• they break down waste products

Question 4

4. What advantages do Prokaryotes (such as decomposers) bring about for the environment?

Answer 4

THEY INCREASE THE AVAILABILITY OF:
- nitrogen
- phosphorus
- potassium
- these are all used as fertilisers
- they help with plant growth

Question 5

5. What is one example of Ecological Interactions?

Answer 5

1. Symbiosis

Question 6

6. What is Symbiosis?

Answer 6

• this is an ecological relationship
• the 2 species involved live in close contact

Question 7

7. Who are the members of a Symbiotic Relationship?

Answer 7

THE HOST:
- this is the larger organism

THE SYMBIONT:
- this is the smaller organism

NB:
- prokaryotes will often form Symbiotic relationships
with larger organisms

Question 8

8. What are the 3 types of Symbiotic Relationships?

Answer 8

1. Mutualism
2. Commensalism
3. Parasitism

Question 9

9. What is Mutualism?

Answer 9

• this is when both organisms benefit

Question 10

10. What is Commensalism?

Answer 10

• this is when one organism benefits
• while the other organism is neither harmed or helped

Question 11

11. What is Parasitism?

Answer 11

THE PARASITE:
- this is the one organism
- it harms the host
- it does not kill the host

Question 12

12. What are Pathogens?

Answer 12

• these are parasites that cause diseases

Question 13

13. What kind of Prokaryotes can exist in relation to their effects on Humans?

Answer 13

1. Pathogenic Prokaryotes
2. Beneficial Prokaryotes

Question 14

14. What is another term for Beneficial Prokaryotes?

Answer 14

• Mutualistic Bacteria
• they are a part of out norma Flora

Question 15

15. How many species of bacteria live inside the human intestines?

Answer 15

• 500 to 1000 species

Question 16

16. What is the function of the Bacteria inside the human intestines?

Answer 16

• they break down food
• this food is undigested by our intestines
• our own enzymes struggle to digest this food

Question 17

17. What is the purpose of pro-biotics?

Answer 17

• they keep the good bacteria alive
• this is especially necessary when taking antibiotics

Question 18

18. What percentage of human diseases are caused by Pathogenic Prokaryotes?

Answer 18

• 50%
• they typically cause diseases by releasing toxins

Question 19

19. What are Exotoxins?

Answer 19

• they are the products of Bacterial Metabolism
• they cause diseases
• even if the prokaryotes that produce them are not
  present

Question 20

20. What are Exotoxins mainly secreted by?

Answer 20

• Gram (+) Bacteria

Question 21

21. What are Endotoxins produced by?

Answer 21

1. THE LPS
   - these are the Lipopolysaccharide part of the outer
   membrane of the cell wall
   - of Gram Negative Bacteria
2. WHEN BACTERIA DIE
   - the cell walls break down
   - this is due to Phagocytosis
   - this causes the Endotoxins to be released

Question 22

22. Which process can spread genes associated with Virulence?

Answer 22

• Horizontal Gene Transfer

Question 23

23. What is Horizontal Gene Transfer?

Answer 23

• this is the movement of genes
• among individuals
• from different species

Question 24

24. What can be said about Bacillus Anthracis?

Answer 24

• this is a type of Pathogenic Bacteria
• it is a potential weapon of Bioterrorism