Microbiology Module 1

Question 1

Microbiology is the study of what?

Answer 1

Microbiology is the study of microbes (microorganisms and

viruses) and their biological processes.

Question 2

What is the smallest biological unit of life?

Answer 2

The cell

Question 3

What is a macromolecule?

Answer 3

macromolecule is classified as a complex molecule that is composed from smaller subunits.

Question 4

What are 4 main types of macromolecules?

Answer 4

Proteins, nucleic acids, lipids and polysaccharides

Question 5

What various functions do proteins have in a cell?

Answer 5

Proteins may facilitate the movement of materials in or out of a cell.
Some can act as enzymes that catalyze, or speed up, biochemical processes.
Others play a structural role
while other proteins, such as filaments, enable movement.

Question 6

What are 2 major types of nucleic acids and their roles?

Answer 6

There are two major types of nucleic acids: DNA (deoxyribonucleic
acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid). Nucleic acids are chemical
molecules that carry genetic information within the cell. DNA
contains a vast amount of hereditary information and is
responsible for the inheritable characteristics of living organisms.
RNA is responsible for deciphering the hereditary information in
DNA and using it to synthesize proteins.

Question 7

What is a plasma membrane and what is it made up of?

Answer 7

The plasma membrane serves the cell as a surrounding barrier
that separates the inside of the cell from the outside surrounding
environment. The plasma membrane also restricts the movement
of materials (water, nutrients, etc) either in or out of the cell, thus
allowing a cells to absorb and keep what is needed (influx) while
also preventing the escape (out flux) of essential nutrients. The
plasma membrane is composed of lipids (hydrophobic
hydrocarbons).

Question 8

What are 3 main components of polysaccharides?

Answer 8

Polysaccharides are composed of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen

atoms. Examples would include, C6H12O6 (glucose) C12H22O11
(sucrose) and C6H10O5 (cellulose).

Question 9

What is the primary difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?

Answer 9

Eukaryotic cells contain a nucleus, a membrane enclosed region
within the cell that contains the genetic material. Prokaryotic cells
do not have a nucleus and can be further classified as either
Bacteria or Archaea.

Question 10

What are the main morphologies of bacteria?

Answer 10

Bacteria can be described as 
coccus (round/spherical), 
bacillus (rod), 
vibrio (curved rod),
spirillum (spiral/corkscrew).

Question 11

Which group (classification) of microbes is noted for its ability to survive under harsh conditions?

Answer 11

Archaea. They are able to survive in extremely harsh

environmental conditions such as high salt levels, acid conditions, high temperatures and oxygen-poor conditions.

Question 12

What are the four main classifications of Eukarya?

Answer 12

Eukaryotic microorganisms are classified as either belonging to Animalia, Plantae, Fungi or Protista.

Question 13

Can viruses be classified as either prokaryotic or eukaryotic?

Answer 13

No. Viruses are considered neither prokaryotic nor eukaryotic. Viruses are not considered living and do not replicate on their own, meaning they must replicate within a host.

Question 14

The lipid bilayer of the plasma membrane is composed of what?

Answer 14

The cell membrane is a bilayer composed primarily of amphipathic
phospholipids, meaning they contain a polar hydrophilic (water
loving) head group and a non-polar hydrophobic (water fearing) tail
region. The lipid bilayer is situated in such a way where the nonpolar
tail groups face inward thus orienting the polar head groups
to interact with water both outside and inside of the cell.

Question 15

What are the primary cellular organelles described in this module? Be sure to know the roles of each.

Answer 15

Ribosomes (protein synthesis)
ER (site of protein synthesis)
Golgi (protein modification and distribution)
lysosomes (waste disposal)
mitochondria (ATP generation)
chloroplasts (plants only; site of photosynthesis).

Question 16

Be able to identify the primary organelles within a cell as shown in Figures 1.4, 1.5 and 1.6.

Answer 16

(Look at pictures)

Question 17

Lab: What 3 elements are used in an Autoclave to sterilize equipment?

Answer 17

Heat, Pressure, and Steam

Question 18

What is the minimum temperature an autoclave must be set at to achieve sterile condition?

Answer 18

125 degrees Celcuis

Question 19

If you are working in a lab in which an autoclave is not available, and you are pressed for time, which would you choose to best sterilize your equipment? Hot steam or hot air? Explain why you chose your answer.

Answer 19

Hot steam is the best choice as you can achieve a sterile environment in a matter of minutes whereas hot air will take several hours to achieve the same effect.

Question 20

At what temperature is the fixed incubator set to, as presented in the lab video?

Answer 20

37 degrees Celsius

Question 21

What THREE rules were discussed in regards to lab safety that would protect you and others from contamination?

Answer 21

1. Never eat or drink in the lab
2. Always wear appropriate PPE
3. Never leave the lab wearing PPE

Question 22

At what temperature should you refrigerate bacterial samples? Explain why this is beneficial.

Answer 22

4°C. This temperature slows bacterial growth and prolongs the life of the sample.

Question 23

What are the main sections that should be found in a lab notebook? Name at least 4.

Answer 23

Title, Objective, Procedure, Deviations, Notes, Results

Question 24

What are the FOUR types of gloves presented in the lab video?

Answer 24

Latex, Nitrile, Thermal cold, Thermal heat

Question 25

You are a lab instructor, and Paul Smith has turned in his lab notebook for you to grade the lab experiment #2 on microscopy. Based upon what was covered in the lab video, how should Paul have titled his lab experiment?

Answer 25

PS02 Microscopy

Question 26

You arrive to your first day of work at a new lab. You are taking over for someone who took a new job at another lab. Your boss informs you that because of time restraints, this person did not exactly follow the experimental protocol. In order to proceed, you must know what he did differently. (1) According to the lab lecture, under what section of his notebook would you look to find the experimental steps? (2) As changes to the experimental steps were made, what are these differences called, and how should it appear in the lab notebook?

Answer 26

(1) Procedure—this is where the steps for the experimental protocol are recorded.
(2) Deviations. All deviations should be written in red to immediately bring attention to the changes in the protocol.