Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

BIO240 > The Microbial World > Flashcards

The Microbial World Flashcards

1
Q

What is a microorganism?

A
  • bacteria
  • microbial eukaryotes
  • archaea
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

When do we use the term ‘microbe’?

A

When we want to refer to microorganisms AND viruses

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What did Robert Hooke discover and what didn’t he discover? (options: microorganisms, bacteria, archaea, viruses)

A
  • Discovered Microorganisms

- Did not discover bacteria, archaea, viruses

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Who is the first to see and describe bacteria?

A

Antoine van Leeuwenhoek

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Who is credited as the father of Microbiology?

A

Antoine van Leeuwenhoek

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What are some examples of microbial importance for humans?

A
  • Making essential amino acids and vitamins
  • Aiding digestion
  • Fixing Nitrogen
  • Breaking down organic material
  • producing food and drink
  • making Oxygen
  • Biotechnology
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

If all microbes were to disappear tomorrow, which of the following would NOT be a consequence that humans would notice?

A. Problems w digestion
B. Problems with breathing
C. Wastewater treatment plant failures
D. Fermented food supply issues
E. Crop failures
A

B. Problems with breathing

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What makes microorganisms excellent model systems for experimentation?

A
  • short generation times
  • inexpensive/easy to grow
  • small number of genes makes it easier to sequence and assemble genomes and study functions of genes
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What are the 6 requirements for microbial life?

A
  • Metabolism
  • Growth
  • Reproduction
  • Genetic Variation/Evolution
  • Adaptation to external environment
  • Homeostasis
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is the dry weight of polypeptides in a cell (%)?

A

50-55%

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is the dry weight of DNA in a cell (%)?

A

2-5%

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is the dry weight of RNA in a cell (%)?

A

15-20%

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is the dry weight of lipids in a cell (%)?

A

10%

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What is the dry weight of sugars in a cell (%)?

A

6-7%

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What are polypeptides?

A

building blocks for enzymes + other proteins

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is one function of proteins within a cell?

A

To catalyze chemical reactions

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Arrange the following in order from least to most abundant in a cell by dry weight:

  • Polypeptides
  • Lipids
  • RNA
  • Polysaccharides
  • DNA
A

DNA, Polysaccharides, Lipids, RNA, Polypeptides

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What are the nucleic acids?

A

DNA and RNA

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What is the purpose of nucleic acids?

A
  • DNA stores genetic information

- RNA is important for gene expression

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What does mRNA do?

A

encodes for proteins and is involved in transcription and translation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What does rRNA do?

A

assists ribosomes with structural and catalytic properties

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What is the purpose of a lipid bilayer? What is it often embedded with and for what reason?

A
  • separates cell interior from exterior

- often embedded w polysaccharides + polypeptides who serve as transporters for materials in and out of the cell

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Which is the true statement?

A. Most molecules pass freely through the plasma membrane.
B. Transporter proteins are embedded in the plasma membrane.
C. The plasma membrane does not contain proteins.
D. Lipids comprise approximately 50% of cell mass by dry weight.

A

B. Transporter proteins are embedded in the plasma membrane.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

What is the purpose of polysaccharides?

A
  • Provide structural and energy storage compounds within the cell
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

All microorganisms can be classified into 2 groups. What are the names of these groups?

A
  • Prokaryotic

- Eukaryotic

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

What are the two subgroups of Prokaryotes?

A

Bacteria and Archaea

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

What is the definition of a Prokaryotic cell?

A

A cell with no nucleus

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

What is the definition of a Eukaryotic cell?

A

A cell with a nucleus

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

What is “the tree of life” based on?

A

rRNA sequences

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

What are the three domains of life?

A

Bacteria, Archaea, Eukarya

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

What did Carl Woese discover?

A

Arhaea

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

Which of Bacteria, Archaea, Eukarya have a nuclear membrane?

33
Q

Do Bacteria have membrane bound organelles?

34
Q

Why are viruses not considered to be alive?

A

Because they don’t hjave RNA

35
Q

T/F: Viruses can replicate outside a host cell

A

False. Virsues can’t replicate outside a host cell

36
Q

T/F: Viruses have little to no biochemical activity outside a host cell

37
Q

T/F: Viruses are reactive outside a host cell

A

False. Viruses are inert outside a host cell.

38
Q

Which of the following have a nuclear membrane?

Bacteria
Archaea
Eukarya

39
Q

Do bacteria have membrane-bound organelles?

A

Rarely, but exist in a few species

40
Q

Do archaea have membrane-bound organelles?

A

Rarely, but exist in a few species

41
Q

Do eukarya have membrane-bound organelles?

A

Yes, in all species. Have multiple distinct types.

42
Q

What is the plasma membrane of bacteria similar to?

A

The plasma membrane of eukarya

43
Q

What is the plasma membrane of eukarya similar to?

A

The plasma membrane of bacteria

44
Q

What is the plasma membrane of archaea similar to?

A

Nothing, it is unique from bacteria and eukarya

45
Q

Do bacteria have a cell wall? If so, what is it made of?

A

Nearly all species do. Made of peptidoglycan.

46
Q

Do archaea have a cell wall? If so, what is it made of?

A

Nearly all species do. Made of various materials.

47
Q

Do eukarya have a cell wall? If so, what is it made of?

A

Some species do. Made of various materials.

48
Q

What are the polymerase differences among bacteria, archaea, and eukarya

A

Bacteria: Single polymerase
Archaea: Single polymerase + RNA pol II
Eukarya: RNA pol I, II, and III

49
Q

What are the histone differences among bacteria, archaeam and eukarya?

A

Bacteria: Histone-like proteins

Archaea and Eukarya: have Histones

50
Q

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of Bacteria?

Nuclear membrane
Cell wall
Having a single RNA polymerase
Histone-like proteins
DNA within a nucleoid
A

Nuclear membrane

51
Q

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of Archaea?

Nuclear membrane
Cell wall
Having a single RNA polymerase
Histones
Cytoplasmic membrane
A

Nuclear Membrane

52
Q

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of Eukarya?

Nuclear membrane
Cell wall in some species
Having DNA replication enzymes similar to Archaea
Histones
Single polymerase
A

Single Polymerase

53
Q

Organisms that lack a membrane-bound nucleus, including bacteria and archaea:

Viruses
Eukaryotes
Fungi
Prokaryotes

A

Prokaryotes

54
Q

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic that distinguishes all living organisms from most/all nonliving entitities?

Cellular maintenance
Metabolism
Growth
Motility

55
Q

Describe the experiments of Miller and Urey.

A

Simulated the spark that might have started forming organic molecules (amino acids) from primordial soup

56
Q

What are the requirements for early life?

A
  • genetic information storage
  • ability to catalyze biochemical reactions
  • way to separate cell interior from external environment.
57
Q

What are the essential components for LUCA

A

Proteins, DNA, RNA, Ribosomes

58
Q

Why is DNA a superior information-storing molecule compared to RNA?

A

DNA is more stable than RNA

59
Q

If you are ever asked, “what is the central dogma of biology?” what do you say?

A

DNA -> RNA -> Proteins. Because all life does this, and has been doing it since LUCA

60
Q

DNA to RNA is ___________, and RNA to protein is ___________.

A

Trancription, Translation

61
Q

Transcription is RNA _________ from DNA _____________

A

Transcription is RNA synthesis from DNA template

62
Q

DNA provides a __________ for __________ with respect to information flow within a cell.

A

DNA provides template for transcription

63
Q

Earliest microbes would have been ….

A
  • able to metabolize iron and/or sulfur (mineral breathers)
  • heat-loving (thermophiles)
  • anaerobic
  • photosynthetic
  • consumers of inorganic carbon
64
Q

When were the first microorganisms formed?

About 4.5 billion ybp
About 3.8 billion ybp
About 2.7 billion ybp
About 1 million ybp
About 4000 ybp
A

About 3.8 billion ybp

65
Q

Which of the following is NOT likely to be true of many primitive microbes?

They were aerobic
They were photosynthetic
They had a plasma membrane
They were thermophilic

A

They were aerobic

66
Q

How did the atmospheric O2 concentration rise initially to 21%?

A

via cyanobacteria

67
Q

Cyanobacteria were the first organisms to generate free _________ by their __________.

A

First organisms to generate free oxygen by their metabolism

68
Q

What is the likely origin of eukaryal mitochondria and chloroplasts?

Endosymbiosis of bacteria within archaea
Engulfment of other eukaryal cells by eukaryotes
Endosymbiosis of archaea within bacteria
No evidence supports any of these theories

A

Endosymbiosis of bacteria within archaea

69
Q

Which of the following is NOT evidence for endosymbiosis?

DNA sequences of mitochondria and chloroplasts
Size of organelles
Large size of eukaryal cells
Organelles that contain their own genomes
They divide like bacteria

A

Large size of eukaryal cells

70
Q

Endosymbiosis:

Primitive __________ microbes ingested other microbes.
It was a __________ relationship.
It formed the first basic _________.

A
  • Primitive prokaryotic microbes ingested other microbes
  • symbiotic relationship
  • formed the first basic eukaryotes.
71
Q

What is an autotroph?

A

An organism that can produce its own organic molecules from inorganic carbon (e.g CO2).

72
Q

What is a heterotroph?

A

an organism that ingests organic carbon as a food source

73
Q

Which metabolic pathway is the most energy yielding?

Fermentation
Glycolysis
Aerobic respiration
Anaerobic respiration

A

Aerobic respiration (yields much much more ATP)

74
Q

Who disproved the theory of spopntaneous generation?

A

Louis Pasteur

75
Q

Who developed postulates for identifying the causative agents of disease?

A

Robert Koch

76
Q

What are the primary mechanisms used to prevent infection

A

Antimicrobial compounds

Sanitation improvements

77
Q

What are the differences in membrane-bound organelles among bacteria, achaea, and eukarya

A

B, A: Rare, a few types in a few species

E: Found in ALL SPECIES, multiple distinct types

78
Q

What are the differences in plasma membrane among bacteria, achaea, and eukarya

A

B, E: Similar to eachother

A: Unique from B,E

79
Q

What are the cell wall differences among bacteria, archaea, and eukarya?

A

B: Nearly all species have one, constructed of peptidoglycan
A: Nearly all species have one, constructed of various materials
E: Some species have one, constructed of various materials

BIO240 (6 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions