BIO 275 Microbiology Module 1 Exam Study Guide
Define the term Microbiology
The study of microorganisms.
Why is Microbiology important?
Because it provides insights into the diversity and functions of microorganisms and how they
interact with the environment and human health.
How does Microbiology contribute to human health?
Helps with understanding normal flora and diseases in humans and the development of hygiene
products, foods/drinks, medications, and vaccines.
How does Microbiology contribute to agriculture?
Through processes such a pasteurization and fermentation.
How does Microbiology contribute to the environment?
It plays a vital role in environmental science and ecosystems, aiding in pollution control, driving
nutrient cycles, recycling organic matter, and influencing climate change.
What are some of the main attributes of Nitrogen?
- Crucial element in DNA, RNA and proteins (without it life could not exist) .
- Used in agriculture to make fertilizers.
What is Assimilation?
Nitrates which are released back into the ecosystem for use.
What is Nitrification?
Converting Nitrites into Nitrates by nitrifying bacteria (adds O2).
What is fermentation?
A metabolic process where microorganisms break down organic molecules in the absence of
oxygen to produce energy.
What has fermentation been used for historically and in modern life?
It was used when drinking water was not available and if food was not plentiful.
How did a lack of understanding of microorganisms impact the way ancient
civilizations viewed health and disease?
People feared and resented people who practiced science as they believed it to be evil.
What is spontaneous generation?
A theory that living organisms can emerge from non-living matter.
How are you meant to write binomial scientific names for organism?
Must be italicized and the Genus name must be capitalized while the Species name is not.
, What is a strain?
A subtype derived from a single cell or small group that has minor functional characteristics
different from the Species.
What did Leeuwenhoek contribute to microbiology?
He was the first to observe and describe living microorganisms and referred to them as
"animalcules".
What did Pasteur contribute to microbiology?
- Established the Germ theory where diseases are caused by the invasion of microorganisms.
- Worked on vaccinations, fermentation, and pasteurization.
What did Koch contribute to microbiology?
He developed Koch's postulates, a set of criteria for proving that a specific microorganism
causes a specific disease.
What did Linnaeus contribute to microbiology?
Created the binomial nomenclature for naming organisms and proposed 5 levels for taxonomy.
Describe Pasteur's swan-neck flask experiment.
By using a s-shaped neck flask, Pasteur disproved spontaneous generation theory because
bacteria would get caught in the bend of the flask and would not appear in the main section of
the flask.
What is the first postulate of Koch?
Find suspect agent in every case of disease of interest but not in healthy hosts.
What is the second postulate of Koch?
Isolate and culture suspect agent in the laboratory.
What is the third postulate of Koch?
Inoculate suspect agent into test subject and observe that subject develops disease of interest.
What is the fourth postulate of Koch?
Recover and isolate suspect agent from test subject.
What is the basic structure of a prokaryote?
- Nucleoid
- Plasma Membrane
- Ribosomes
- Cell wall
- Cytoplasm
What is Plasmid?
Define the term Microbiology
The study of microorganisms.
Why is Microbiology important?
Because it provides insights into the diversity and functions of microorganisms and how they
interact with the environment and human health.
How does Microbiology contribute to human health?
Helps with understanding normal flora and diseases in humans and the development of hygiene
products, foods/drinks, medications, and vaccines.
How does Microbiology contribute to agriculture?
Through processes such a pasteurization and fermentation.
How does Microbiology contribute to the environment?
It plays a vital role in environmental science and ecosystems, aiding in pollution control, driving
nutrient cycles, recycling organic matter, and influencing climate change.
What are some of the main attributes of Nitrogen?
- Crucial element in DNA, RNA and proteins (without it life could not exist) .
- Used in agriculture to make fertilizers.
What is Assimilation?
Nitrates which are released back into the ecosystem for use.
What is Nitrification?
Converting Nitrites into Nitrates by nitrifying bacteria (adds O2).
What is fermentation?
A metabolic process where microorganisms break down organic molecules in the absence of
oxygen to produce energy.
What has fermentation been used for historically and in modern life?
It was used when drinking water was not available and if food was not plentiful.
How did a lack of understanding of microorganisms impact the way ancient
civilizations viewed health and disease?
People feared and resented people who practiced science as they believed it to be evil.
What is spontaneous generation?
A theory that living organisms can emerge from non-living matter.
How are you meant to write binomial scientific names for organism?
Must be italicized and the Genus name must be capitalized while the Species name is not.
, What is a strain?
A subtype derived from a single cell or small group that has minor functional characteristics
different from the Species.
What did Leeuwenhoek contribute to microbiology?
He was the first to observe and describe living microorganisms and referred to them as
"animalcules".
What did Pasteur contribute to microbiology?
- Established the Germ theory where diseases are caused by the invasion of microorganisms.
- Worked on vaccinations, fermentation, and pasteurization.
What did Koch contribute to microbiology?
He developed Koch's postulates, a set of criteria for proving that a specific microorganism
causes a specific disease.
What did Linnaeus contribute to microbiology?
Created the binomial nomenclature for naming organisms and proposed 5 levels for taxonomy.
Describe Pasteur's swan-neck flask experiment.
By using a s-shaped neck flask, Pasteur disproved spontaneous generation theory because
bacteria would get caught in the bend of the flask and would not appear in the main section of
the flask.
What is the first postulate of Koch?
Find suspect agent in every case of disease of interest but not in healthy hosts.
What is the second postulate of Koch?
Isolate and culture suspect agent in the laboratory.
What is the third postulate of Koch?
Inoculate suspect agent into test subject and observe that subject develops disease of interest.
What is the fourth postulate of Koch?
Recover and isolate suspect agent from test subject.
What is the basic structure of a prokaryote?
- Nucleoid
- Plasma Membrane
- Ribosomes
- Cell wall
- Cytoplasm
What is Plasmid?
