Ch. 1 Study Guide

Question 1

What are the two broad types of cells studied in microbiology?

Answer 1

Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic

Question 2

Provide 3 differences between Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic cells

Answer 2

1. P is smaller
2. P lack a nucleus
3. P lack organelles

Question 3

What is an acellular agent?

Answer 3

Non-cellular particles that cannot reproduce on their own but can infect living hosts

Question 4

Give two examples of acellular agents

Answer 4

Viruses
Prions

Question 5

Give three examples of how microbes are utilized to solve environmental or industrial problems

Answer 5

1. Yeasts make bread rise and ferment sugar for alcohol
2. Farmed algae helps extract oil for fuel alternative to petroleum
3. Bioremediation introduces microbes into the environment to stabilize/clean toxic pollutants

Question 6

What is a pathogen

Answer 6

Any agent that infects body tissues and causes disease

Question 7

Are all microorganisms pathogenic?

Answer 7

No

Question 8

Name someone who contributed to microscopy

Answer 8

Leeuwenhoek

Question 9

Name someone who contributed to aseptic techniques

Answer 9

Joseph Lister

Question 10

Name someone who contributed to the germ theory of disease

Answer 10

Robert Koch

Question 11

Name someone who contributed to vaccination

Answer 11

Dr. Jenner

Question 12

Use the scientific process to investigate a microbe in your dog’s water dish possibly causing their illness

Answer 12

Inductive reasoning: Specific observation of the dog’s illness. Hypothesis formed: the illness could be caused by a microorganism in one of its dishes. Perform tests, such as washing and decontaminating the food dish to see if the dog remains sick. If the illness continues, it would be more reasonable to assume that the illness is being caused by the unwashed water dish. Test this new hypothesis by decontaminating the water dish. If the illness ceases, the hypothesis is confirmed.

Question 13

Define hypothesis without using the phrase “educated guess”

Answer 13

A tentative explanation of what has been observed or measured

Question 14

How does the scientific definition of a theory differ from its definition when it is commonly used outside of science?

Answer 14

Scientific definition: A collection of statements, propositions, or concepts that explain or account for a natural event.

Common explanation: A weak or wild guess, just an idea, etc.