Unit 8 Flashcards
True or False: Organisms that are oxidase positive cannot perform aerobic respiration.
A) True
B) False
B) False
Explanation: Oxidase positive organisms have the cytochrome oxidase complex and can perform aerobic respiration. The presence of the enzyme indophenol oxidase, detected by the oxidase test, is a hallmark of organisms capable of using oxygen in the electron transport chain.
What is the role of indophenol oxidase in bacteria?
A) It participates in fermentation.
B) It is part of the electron transport chain and works with oxygen.
C) It helps bacteria move.
D) It is used to break down large food particles.
B) It is part of the electron transport chain and works with oxygen.
Explanation: Indophenol oxidase is an enzyme that is involved in the electron transport chain, specifically in the cytochrome oxidase complex, which is the final step in aerobic respiration for bacteria.
Which type of organisms requires oxygen for their survival and generates energy only through aerobic respiration?
A) Obligate aerobes
B) Obligate anaerobes
C) Facultative anaerobes
D) Microaerophiles
A) Obligate aerobes
Explanation: Obligate aerobes strictly require oxygen for survival because their energy production is solely reliant on aerobic respiration, a process that uses oxygen to convert glucose into energy, carbon dioxide, and water.
Organisms that are poisoned by oxygen and do not utilize it at all are known as _______________.
Obligate anaerobes
Explanation: Obligate anaerobes are unique in their inability to tolerate oxygen, which distinguishes them from other bacteria that can perform anaerobic respiration but can also tolerate or utilize oxygen when it’s available.
True or False: Facultative anaerobes can only metabolize energy aerobically.
A) True
B) False
B) False
Explanation: Facultative anaerobes are not restricted to one type of metabolic process. They prefer aerobic respiration due to its efficiency but can survive using anaerobic metabolism when oxygen is not available, giving them a survival advantage in fluctuating environments.
Organisms that require low levels of oxygen and may prefer elevated CO2 levels are called __________.
Microaerophiles
What is the main function of the oxidase enzyme in the electron transport chain?
A) To produce hydrogen peroxide
B) To break down glucose
C) To transfer electrons to oxygen
D) To synthesize ATP directly
C) To transfer electrons to oxygen
Explanation: The oxidase enzyme, specifically cytochrome c oxidase, transfers electrons to molecular oxygen, reducing it to water at the end of the electron transport chain.
Which bacterial species is used as a positive control for catalase test?
A) Streptococcus pyogenes
B) Staphylococcus aureus
C) Clostridium difficile
D) Mycobacterium tuberculosis
B) Staphylococcus aureus
Which vial represents obligate anaerobes?
A) Vial 1
B) Vial 2
C) Vial 3
D) Vial 4
E) Vial 5
B) Vial 2
Explanation: Obligate anaerobes are found only at the bottom of the tube, away from oxygen.
Which vial indicates microaerophiles?
A) Vial 1
B) Vial 2
C) Vial 3
D) Vial 4
E) Vial 5
D) Vial 4
Explanation: Microaerophiles are concentrated in the upper part of the tube but not at the very top, indicating a preference for lower oxygen concentrations.
What kind of respiration do obligate anaerobes perform?
A) Aerobic respiration
B) Anaerobic respiration
C) Both A and B
D) Neither A nor B
B) Anaerobic respiration
True or False: The catalase enzyme is used to convert oxygen to hydrogen peroxide.
A) True
B) False
B) False
Explanation: Catalase does the opposite; it breaks down hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen, helping to protect the cell from oxidative damage.
What is the product of the oxidase reaction: O2 + 4H+ + 4e- → ?
A) H2O2
B) 2 H2O
C) O3
D) CO2
B) 2 H2O
Explanation: The oxidase reaction involves the reduction of molecular oxygen to water in the electron transport chain.
True or False: Obligate aerobes are killed by oxygen.
A) True
B) False
B) False
Which test is used to identify if bacteria can break down hydrogen peroxide?
A) Oxidase test
B) Catalase test
C) Gram stain
D) Coagulase test
B) Catalase test