Microorganisms 3 Bacteria Flashcards
What do people add to warm milk to make yoghurt?
A spoonful of yoghurt
The spoonful of yoghurt contains millions of bacteria.
What happens to the bacteria in the yoghurt when added to warm milk?
They grow and multiply in the milk.
What do the bacteria produce in the milk?
An enzyme that turns the milk thick and a little sour.
What are bacteria?
Bacteria are the simplest of organisms and are believed to be the first living beings to have appeared on earth.
What is the cellular structure of bacteria?
Bacteria are unicellular, but they sometimes cling together to form colonies.
How many different shapes can bacteria have?
Bacteria can have four different shapes and are named according to their shape.
What are rod-shaped bacteria called?
Rod-shaped bacteria are called bacilli (singular: bacillus).
What disease does Bacillus anthracis cause?
Bacillus anthracis causes the disease anthrax.
What are spherical bacteria called?
Spherical bacteria are called cocci (singular: coccus).
Which bacteria cause pneumonia?
Pneumonia is caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae.
What are spiral bacteria called?
Spiral bacteria are called spirilla (singular: spirillum).
What are comma-shaped bacteria called?
Comma-shaped bacteria are called vibrios (singular: vibrio).
What do most bacteria have in common regarding their cell structure?
Most bacteria have a rigid cell wall and do not have a nucleus.
Where is the nuclear material located in bacteria?
The nuclear material lies naked in the cytoplasm of bacteria.
What structures do many bacteria have for movement?
Many bacteria have flagella or cilia to help them move.
What are fimbriae?
Fimbriae (singular: fimbria) are thin outgrowths found in some bacteria.
Can some bacteria make their own food?
Yes, a few bacteria can make their own food by a process similar to photosynthesis.
What are the two main types of bacteria based on their nutritional habits?
Most bacteria are saprophytic or parasitic.
Do all parasitic bacteria cause diseases?
No, not all parasitic bacteria cause diseases; some live harmlessly in our intestines.
What are aerobic bacteria?
Aerobic bacteria need oxygen to break down food and release energy.
What are anaerobic bacteria?
Anaerobic bacteria can live without oxygen.
How fast can bacteria grow and multiply under favorable conditions?
Bacteria can grow and multiply very fast; for example, Escherichia coli takes about 20 minutes to reproduce.
What are favorable conditions for bacterial growth?
Favorable conditions mean plenty of food, a temperature range of 30-37°C, and a moist environment.
How do bacteria reproduce?
Bacteria reproduce by binary fission, a mode of asexual reproduction.
What are some products made using bacteria?
Some bacteria are used to make alcohol, vinegar, yoghurt, and cheese from milk.
What is fermentation?
Fermentation is the action of bacteria (and yeast) on carbohydrates used in various processes.
What are some other products that involve bacteria?
Some bacteria are used in the production of tea, coffee, and tobacco.
What are antibiotics?
Antibiotics are medicines used in the treatment of infectious diseases.
How are some antibiotics produced?
Some antibiotics are produced with the help of bacteria.
In which industries are bacteria used?
Bacteria are used in the tanning of leather and in the jute industry.
How do bacteria help in the jute industry?
Bacteria act on the raw jute plant, which is immersed in water, to help in making fiber from the plant.
What role do bacteria play in our intestines?
Bacteria living in our intestines help in the absorption of food and protect us from some diseases.
How do herbivorous animals utilize bacteria?
Herbivorous animals depend on the bacteria living in their stomachs to break down the cellulose in the food they eat.
What is the role of bacteria as decomposers?
Bacteria are among nature’s decomposers, helping to keep the environment clean by breaking down animal excreta and the remains of plants and animals.
How do bacteria contribute to nutrient recycling?
They help to recycle nutrients back into the soil.
What products can be made using bacteria?
We use bacteria to make biogas and compost from waste.
What is the role of bacteria in nitrogen conversion?
Bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen into nitrates, which are needed by plants.
What diseases can bacteria cause in humans?
Many plant and animal diseases are caused by bacteria, including typhoid, cholera, pneumonia, tetanus, tuberculosis, leprosy, and whooping cough.
What are some bacterial diseases in plants?
Wilt and citrus canker are bacterial diseases in plants.
How can bacteria spoil food?
If bacteria are used to process food, they are also responsible for spoiling food, causing milk to turn sour and butter to turn rancid.
What dangerous food poisoning can bacteria cause?
Clostridium botulinum, which grows in badly preserved canned food, can cause a very dangerous kind of food poisoning called botulism.
