Microorganisms

Question 1

What do we call living organisms that can only be observed using a microscope?

Answer 1

Microbes or microorganisms.

Question 2

approximately what percentage of life on Earth are microbes?

Answer 2

60%

Question 3

How many species of microbes do scientists believe there are on Earth?
A - 10 - 25 million
B - 65 - 100 billion
C - 2 - 3 billion

Answer 3

C - 2-3 billion.

Question 4

What are the 6 main groups of microbes:
B\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
F\_\_\_\_\_
A\_\_\_\_\_
A\_\_\_\_\_
V\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
P\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Answer 4

Bacteria
Fungi
Algae
Archaea
Viruses
Protozoa

Question 5

Give an example of a pathogenic bacteria - i.e. bacteria that cause disease.

Answer 5

salmonella (sometimes found in raw meat and can cause food poisoning)

Question 6

approximately how many billion bacteria live on a single human’s skin.

Answer 6

100 billion.

Question 7

give an example of how some bacteria help humans stay healthy.

Answer 7

boost immune system, aid digestion

Question 8

Give an example of a pathogenic fungi

Answer 8

trichophyton - can cause athlete’s foot

Question 9

Saccharomyces Cerevisiae is a sugar eating fungus that is used in the production of bread. Explain briefly how it is used.

Answer 9

When the yeast respires it produces carbon dioxide, which creates lots bubbles in the bread dough causing the bread to rise and have a light airy texture.

Question 10

Algae take in energy from the sun, carbon dioxide from the environment and produce carbohydrates and oxygen, by what name is this process commonly known?

Answer 10

Oxygenic photosynthesis

Question 11

Algae for the base layer of many what?

Answer 11

Food chains

Question 12

What microbrobe is described here:
single celled, obligate anaerobes (microorganisms that are killed by normal atmospheric concentrations of oxygen), that often live in water or soil. Similar but distinct to bacteria.

Answer 12

Archaea

Question 13

Are all viruses pathogens?

Answer 13

Yes

Question 14

Can viruses infect bacteria?

Answer 14

Yes - bacteriophage

Question 15

Give an example of a virus that affects humans

Answer 15

influenza, measles, HIV

Question 16

How many cells are protozoa made up of?

Answer 16

1 - single cell organisms

Question 17

Where are protozoa usually found?

Answer 17

water bodies and soil

Question 18

why are protazoa considered the backbone of many food chains?

Answer 18

They digest many single cell organisms such as bacteria, keeping their numbers in check. The also have a role in making nutrients available to plants and other soil organisms.