Microbiology

Question 1

What is the function of the plasma membrane in prokaryotic cells?

Answer 1

Barrier between the environment and the cytoplasm

Question 2

What is the function of the cell wall in prokaryotic cells?

Answer 2

Prevents lysis in hypotonic solutions

Question 3

What is the cell wall made of in prokaryotic cells?

Answer 3

Peptidoglycogen

Question 4

What is the function of the circular DNA in prokaryotic cells?

Answer 4

Contains the genes

Question 5

What are the functions of the capsule in prokaryotic cells?

Answer 5

Outer layer of slime. Glues bacteria together. Sticks to surfaces and protects bacteria from attack

Question 6

What is the function of the ribosomes in prokaryotic cells?

Answer 6

Synthesis of proteins

Question 7

What is the function of the pili in prokaryotic cells?

Answer 7

Attach to surfaces

Question 8

What is the function of the flagellum in prokaryotic cells?

Answer 8

Used for mobility

Question 9

What is the function of the plasmids in prokaryotic cells?

Answer 9

Contain extra bacterial genes

Question 10

What are the rod shaped bacteria called?

Answer 10

Bacillus

Question 11

What shape are bacillus bacteria?

Answer 11

Rod shaped

Question 12

What are the spherical bacteria called?

Answer 12

Coccus

Question 13

What shape are coccus bacteria?

Answer 13

Spheres

Question 14

What are the spiral bacteria called?

Answer 14

Spirillum

Question 15

What shape are spirillum bacteria?

Answer 15

Spiral

Question 16

What are the metabolic requirements for microbes?

Answer 16

Suitable temperature
Suitable pH
Oxygen
Carbon source
Nitrogen source
Growth factors e.g. vitamins and minerals

Question 17

Why is a suitable temperature a metabolic requirement for microbes?

Answer 17

Allows enzyme activity

Question 18

Why is a suitable pH a metabolic requirement for microbes?

Answer 18

Allows enzyme activity

Question 19

Why is oxygen a metabolic requirement for microbes?

Answer 19

Aerobic respiration

Question 20

Why is a carbon source a metabolic requirement for microbes?

Answer 20

Aerobic respiration

Question 21

Why is a nitrogen source a metabolic requirement for microbes?

Answer 21

Protein synthesis

Question 22

What does the term obligate aerobes mean?

Answer 22

Oxygen required for the bacteria to grow and divide

Question 23

What does the term obligate anaerobes mean?

Answer 23

Absence of 02 is required for bacteria to grow and divide

Question 24

What does the term facultative anaerobes mean?

Answer 24

Bacteria grow and divide in both conditions
However faster growth and division in aerobic conditions

Question 25

What is the purpose of using aseptic techniques?

Answer 25

Prevent contamination of: The environment by the microbes being handled Microbial cultures from unwanted microbes in the environment