Introduction to microbiology and three main domains

Question 1

Which of the following scientists discredited the theory of spontaneous generation?
A) Louis Pasteur
B) Francesco Redi
C) John Needham
D) Joseph Lister

Answer 1

B) Francesco Redi

Question 2

Which experiment did Louis Pasteur use to demonstrate that microorganisms do not arise by spontaneous generation?
A) Swan-Neck Flask Experiment
B) Rabies Vaccine Experiment
C) Antiseptic Surgery System
D) Koch’s Postulates

Answer 2

A) Swan-Neck Flask Experiment

Question 3

Who is credited with developing the rabies vaccine?
A) Robert Koch
B) Joseph Lister
C) Louis Pasteur
D) Lazzaro Spallanzani

Answer 3

C) Louis Pasteur

Question 4

Which scientist is known for providing indirect evidence that microorganisms were the causal agents of disease and developed an antiseptic surgery system?
A) Robert Koch
B) Francesco Redi
C) Joseph Lister
D) John Needham

Answer 4

C) Joseph Lister

Question 5

Who established the relationship between Bacillus anthracis and anthrax?
A) Robert Koch
B) Francesco Redi
C) Joseph Lister
D) John Needham

Answer 5

A) Robert Koch

Question 5

Louis Pasteur’s swan-neck flask experiment helped disprove the theory of ________.

Answer 5

Answer: Spontaneous generation

Question 6

Cyanobacteria were responsible for introducing ________ into Earth’s atmosphere as a waste product.

Answer 6

Answer: Oxygen

Question 7

The process that allows microorganisms to convert CO2 into organic matter via photosynthesis is known as ________.

Answer 7

Answer: Carbon fixation

Question 8

What is Microbiology?
a) The study of animals.
b) The study of microorganisms.
c) The study of plants.
d) The study of the human body.

Answer 8

b) The study of microorganisms.

Question 9

What is the theory of spontaneous generation?
a) The idea that life evolves from other life forms.
b) The idea that life can arise from non-living or decomposing matter.
c) The idea that microorganisms do not exist.
d) The idea that diseases are caused by supernatural forces.

Answer 9

b) The idea that life can arise from non-living or decomposing matter.

Question 10

Who discredited the theory of spontaneous generation by showing that maggots on decaying meat came from fly eggs?
a) John Needham
b) Lazzaro Spallanzani
c) Francesco Redi
d) Robert Koch

Answer 10

c) Francesco Redi.

Question 11

Which scientist is known for his “Swan-neck flask” experiments that helped defeat the theory of spontaneous generation?
a) Joseph Lister
b) John Needham
c) Robert Koch
d) Louis Pasteur

Answer 11

d) Louis Pasteur

Question 12

What did Lazzaro Spallanzani prove with his experiments regarding boiled hay?
a) Microorganisms do not form if the hay is in a sealed environment.
b) Microorganisms could develop spontaneously from hay.
c) Microorganisms in hay come from fly eggs.
d) Pasteur’s hypothesis on air microbes was incorrect.

Answer 12

a) Microorganisms do not form if the hay is in a sealed environment.

Question 12

Who developed the concept of antiseptic surgery, reducing postoperative infections?
a) Louis Pasteur
b) Robert Koch
c) Joseph Lister
d) Francesco Redi

Answer 12

c) Joseph Lister

Question 13

Which scientist definitively linked a specific microorganism to a specific disease, using mice in experiments?
a) Louis Pasteur
b) Robert Koch
c) Joseph Lister
d) Francesco Redi

Answer 13

b) Robert Koch

Question 14

What is Robert Koch’s contribution to microbiology?
a) Developing a vaccine for rabies.
b) Establishing that Bacillus anthracis causes anthrax.
c) Demonstrating that microorganisms carry out fermentation.
d) Disproving spontaneous generation.

Answer 14

b) Establishing that Bacillus anthracis causes anthrax.

Question 15

Koch’s postulates provide criteria to:
a) Establish a link between a microorganism and a disease.
b) Study microorganisms in sealed environments.
c) Create a vaccine for infectious diseases.
d) Disprove the theory of natural selection.

Answer 15

a) Establish a link between a microorganism and a disease.

Question 16

What is one limitation of Koch’s postulates?
a) Some microorganisms can be grown in any environment.
b) The use of humans in experiments is ethical and encouraged.
c) Some organisms cannot be grown in pure culture.
d) Genetic evidence cannot replace traditional methods.

Answer 16

c) Some organisms cannot be grown in pure culture.

Question 17

Which of the following gases made up the highest percentage of ancient Earth’s atmosphere?
a) Oxygen (O2)
b) Nitrogen (N2)
c) Methane (CH4)
d) Carbon dioxide (CO2)

Answer 17

d) Carbon dioxide (CO2)

Question 18

Which type of microorganism is responsible for introducing oxygen into Earth’s atmosphere?
a) Anaerobic heterotrophic microbes.
b) Cyanobacteria.
c) Fungi.
d) Viruses.

Answer 18

b) Cyanobacteria.

Question 19

What was a significant consequence of the introduction of oxygen (O2) into the Earth’s atmosphere?
a) It caused a mass extinction event.
b) It contributed to the generation of the ozone layer.
c) It decreased the temperature of the planet to 290°C.
d) It caused the atmosphere to become entirely anaerobic.

Answer 19

b) It contributed to the generation of the ozone layer.

Question 19

Which of the following is not a role of microorganisms?
a) Contributing to food production.
b) Causing disease in humans, plants, and animals.
c) Maintaining environmental balance.
d) Preventing photosynthesis.

Answer 19

d) Preventing photosynthesis.