Introduction to Microbiology

Question 1

How are acellular and cellular organisms different?

Answer 1

Acellular organisms are unable to self-replicate and need a host to reproduce, cellular organisms can self-replicate

Question 2

Examples of Prokaryotes

Answer 2

Archaea

Bacteria

Question 3

Examples of Eukaryotes

Answer 3

Algae
Protozoa
Fungi

Question 4

How did life evolve?

Answer 4

Water is needed for life - conflicting views on how water got to Earth
Some bacteria started photosynthesizing which created oxygen
-oxygen is toxic to many organisms
-some organisms require oxygen for their metabolisms
The rise of cyanobacteria
Endosymbiotic event

Question 5

Endosymbiotic Theory

Answer 5

The widely accepted theory that mitochondria and chloroplasts originated as endosymbionts
It may have arisen from a mutualist or a pathogen

Question 6

Evidence of Endosymbiotic Theory

Answer 6

Mitochondria and chloroplasts have their own DNA and ribosomes which have a bacterial lineage
Mitochondria and chloroplasts replicate independently of other cellular processes

Question 7

RNA World Theory

Answer 7

1. Self-replicating RNA + liposomes = prehistoric cells
2. These develop into DNA-containing bacteria (we don’t know how)
3. Archeoeukarya arise
4. Some develop endosymbiotic relationships with mitochondria which leads to the separation of Archaea and Eukarya