Economic Importance of Bacteria and Fungi

Question 1

Name the first person observed bacteria and in which year.

Answer 1

A. V. Leeuwenhoek in 1676

Question 2

What were bacteria priorly known as?

Answer 2

Little animalcules

Question 3

Who named bacteria and in which year?

Answer 3

Ehrenberg in 1838

Question 4

Name the three person who showed that bacteria are the causative agent of certain diseases.

Answer 4

Louis Pasteur, Robert Koch and Negali

Question 5

Name the filamentous bacteria which secretes antibiotics.

Answer 5

Actinomycetes

Question 6

Define vaccine.

Answer 6

The heat killed diluted suspension of pathogenic bacteria of a specific disease is called vaccine.

Question 7

Define serum and describe how it helps to cure a particular disease.

Answer 7

It is the plasma preparation (having specific antibodies or antitoxins) from the blood of certain mammals such as horse, monkey etc.
When a serum containing particular antibodies or anti toxins is injected into the body of a patient, it helps to cure a particular disease.

Question 8

Define mineralisation.

Answer 8

Saprotrophic bacteria such as Pseudomonas decompose the dead organic material and release the simple inorganic compounds such as nitrates, sulphates, phosphates etc., into the soil. It is called mineralisation and increases fertility of the soil.

Question 9

Define decay and putrefaction.

Answer 9

Complete breakdown of organic matter in the presence of air, without giving of foul smell.

Bacterial decomposition of organic matter in limited air results in incomplete breakdown of the organic matter, and foul smell is emitted.