biodiversity of micro-organisms

Question 1

do not belong to any of the 5 kingdoms ,they have both characteristics of living and non-living organisms

Answer 1

viruses

Question 2

why are viruses considered living

Answer 2

the reproduce when they are within the cells of a living organism

Question 3

why are viruses non-living

Answer 3

• they cannot respire
• they cannot reproduce on their own
• when outside of a host they form crystals around them in order to survive

Question 4

virus that attacks bacteria

Answer 4

bacteriophage

Question 5

outer coat of a virus

Answer 5

protein coat

Question 6

what nucleic core does a virus that attacks a plant or bacteria have

Answer 6

RNA

Question 7

viruses have other cell structures , true or false

Answer 7

false

Question 8

viruses are a-cellular?

Answer 8

true

Question 9

an organism that does not have cell structures(organelles)

Answer 9

a-cellular or non-cellular

Question 10

general characteristics of viruses

Answer 10

• are a-cellular
• do not perform metabolic activities
• are parasitic
• they are obligate endoparasites as they only reproduce inside their host
• they are pathogens as they cause diseases
• antibiotics are ineffective on viruses as they are non-living

Question 11

classification of bacteria

Answer 11

-unicellular
-are prokaryotic( they lack a membrane-bound organelle)
-some are pathogenic ( cause disease )
-most bacteria are heterotrophic bacteria (cannot manufacture their own food ,some are autotrophic
-

Question 12

role of bacteria in maintaining balance in the environment

Answer 12

• some bacteria are decomposers they breakdown organic matter to keep the soil healthy
• some bacteria are heterotrophic they cannot make their own food so they depend on the environment for food
• other bacteria are autotrophs and they make their own food

Question 13

environmental importance of viruses

Answer 13

in nature viral diseases play an important role in maintaining healthy population sizes in ecosystems