Lecture 1

Question 1

Define of Microbiology

Answer 1

Microbiology is the study of microorganisms which are microscopic, mostly unicellular and cell-cluster organisms

Question 2

What is Cell Theory?

Answer 2

All living things are composed of cells,

Question 3

What are Stromatolites?

Answer 3

Fossilized microbial mats consisting of layers of filamentous prokaryotes and trapped sediment

Question 4

Explain initial oxygen generation on earth

Answer 4

early photosynthetic prokaryotes created an aerobic atmosphere by producing oxygen. Organisms started using oxygen to metabolize organic molecules.

Question 5

Explain ozone formation

Answer 5

After the development of O2 and an aerobic atmosphere the interaction of o2 with uv rays produced O3 - the ozone shield.

Question 6

What are the three main lines of cellular descent?

Answer 6

Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya

Question 7

Endosymbiotic Theory concerns the origins of which eukaryotic organelles?

Answer 7

Mitochondrion and Chloroplasts

Question 8

What is a Cyanobacteria?

Answer 8

The only photosynthetic prokaryote able to produce oxygen

Question 9

Evolution and diversity of microorganisms

Answer 9

After the ozone shield was formed organisms could now live over the surface of the earth giving way for diversity of organisms.

Question 10

Endosymbiotic Theory of the mitochondrion

Answer 10

An aerobic bacterium took up residency in the cytoplasm of a primitive eukaryote and supplied the eukaryotic cell with energy in exchange for a stable, protected environment and a ready supply of nutrients. This aerobic bacterium would later evolve into a mitochondrion.

Question 11

Endosymbiotic Theory of the chloroplast

Answer 11

An oxygenic phototrophic prokaryote took up residence in the primitive eukaryote making it photosynthetic no longer requiring organic compounds for energy. Now known as chloroplasts.

Question 12

What are 3 benefits of DNA being established as a genome?

Answer 12

Store genetic info in a more stable form
Cells save energy
increase competitive fitness

Question 13

List major differences between Eukaryotic and Prokaryotic Cells

Answer 13

Prokaryotes: 
DNA - Circular 
Lack Nucleus 
Divide by binary fission
Lack membrane bound organelles
Not associated with histones
Eukaryotes:
DNA - Linear -found in the cell's nucleus
Divide via Meiosis
Have a number of membrane bound organelles
Cell walls are chemically simple
associated with histones

Question 14

Euglana use what type of energy

Answer 14

radiant

Question 15

Paramecium use what type of energy

Answer 15

chemical

Question 16

hyperthermophilic prokaryotes

Answer 16

inhabit thermal environments

Question 17

The oldest fossils that are eukaryotic are how old approx

Answer 17

1.7 billion years old.

Question 18

The establishment of DNA as the genome of the cell may have resulted from the need

Answer 18

to store genetic information in a more stable form.

Question 19

When modern euraryotic cells evolved they abandoned structural simplicity which made it difficult for them to

Answer 19

adapt to life in extreme environments.

This is why prokaryotes are still around.