Module 27: Environmental Microbiology Flashcards
What is the starting reactant in photosynthesis?
Carbon dioxide
What causes global warming?
Increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide
What percentage of Earth’s atmosphere is made of molecular nitrogen?
80%
What molecules are broken down during deamination?
Amino acids
What process is the oxidation of ammonia to produce nitrate?
Nitrification
What process converts nitrates into gaseous nitrogen?
Denitrification
What structure of cyanobacteria carries their nitrogenase enzymes?
Heterocysts
What is the term for using microbes to detoxify or degrade pollutants?
Bioremediation
What is the predominant fecal coliform?
Escherichia coli
What sewage system is used for homes in low population areas?
Septic system
What process is characterized by passing water through 2-4 feet of sand or gravel to clean it?
Filtration
What are the 3 methods of disinfecting water?
Ozone
UV light
Chlorine
What are 3 types of secondary sewage treatments?
Trickling filters
Rotating biological contactor
Activated sludge system
What are the important microbes in sludge granules of activated sludge systems?
Zoogloea
What process is characterized by taking nitrogen from the atmosphere and placing it in soil?
Nitrogen fixation
What genus of bacteria is known for nodulation and development of an anaerobic environment?
Rhizobium
What step in sewage treatment includes removal of solids?
Primary treatment
What step in sewage treatment includes activated sludge?
Secondary treatment
What type of environment does trickling filter treatment require?
Aerobic
What can happen if large amounts of phosphate-containing detergents are released into a body of water?
Increase in algal growth
What should the BOD amount do as sewage is treated?
Decrease
