ENVS 2126 Exam 2 Practice Questions & Answers
(Verified Update)
This comprehensive study guide covers the core domains tested
on ENVS 2126 Exam 2: Microbial Diversity, Ecology &
Environmental Interactions at Louisiana State University. It
includes original practice questions with detailed rationales,
organized by the core exam domains: Microbial Diversity &
Phylogeny, Aquatic Microbiology & Microbial Ecology,
Aeromicrobiology, Biogeochemical Cycles & Bioremediation,
and Applied & Environmental Microbiology.
Exam Overview & Blueprint:
Parameter Details
Course Environmental and Anthropogenic Impacts of Microbes (ENVS 2126)
Exam
Multiple-choice, true/false, and short-answer questions
Format
Phylogenetic vs. functional diversity, aquatic habitats, eutrophication, aeromicrobiology,
Core Topics
biogeochemical cycles, bioremediation, microbial genetics
,Parameter Details
Key
Environmental Microbiology, 3rd Edition (Pepper, Gerba, Gentry)
Textbook
2026 Focus Application-based questions, microbial identification scenarios, ecological processes
Section 1: Microbial Diversity & Phylogeny
1.1 Phylogenetic vs. Functional Diversity
Q1. Evolutionary relationships between organisms are
described as:
A) Functional diversity
B) Phylogenetic diversity
C) Morphological diversity
D) Ecological diversity
Answer: B
Rationale: Phylogenetic diversity describes the evolutionary
relationships between organisms.
Q2. Form and function as related to microbial physiology and
ecology is called:
A) Phylogenetic diversity
B) Functional diversity
,C) Morphological diversity
D) Genetic diversity
Answer: B
Rationale: Functional diversity refers to form and function as
related to microbial physiology and ecology.
Q3. Which of the following is a reason functional traits are seen
in different species?
A) Gene loss
B) Convergent evolution
C) Horizontal gene transfer
D) All of the above
Answer: D
Rationale: Functional traits can be seen in different species due
to gene loss, convergent evolution, and horizontal gene transfer.
Q4. A trait that is present in a common ancestor but is lost in
some lineages is an example of:
A) Convergent evolution
B) Gene loss
C) Horizontal gene transfer
D) Homologous gene transfer
Answer: B
Rationale: Gene loss occurs when a trait present in a common
ancestor is lost in some lineages.
, Q5. A trait that has evolved independently in two or more
lineages and is not encoded by homologous genes is an
example of:
A) Gene loss
B) Convergent evolution
C) Horizontal gene transfer
D) Homologous gene transfer
Answer: B
Rationale: Convergent evolution occurs when a trait evolves
independently in two or more lineages and is not encoded by
homologous genes.
Q6. Genes that code for a trait are homologous and have been
exchanged between distantly related lineages. This is an
example of:
A) Gene loss
B) Convergent evolution
C) Homologous gene transfer
D) Vertical gene transfer
Answer: C
Rationale: Homologous gene transfer occurs when genes
coding for a trait are homologous and have been exchanged
between distantly related lineages.
Q7. Functional diversity can be defined in terms of:
(Verified Update)
This comprehensive study guide covers the core domains tested
on ENVS 2126 Exam 2: Microbial Diversity, Ecology &
Environmental Interactions at Louisiana State University. It
includes original practice questions with detailed rationales,
organized by the core exam domains: Microbial Diversity &
Phylogeny, Aquatic Microbiology & Microbial Ecology,
Aeromicrobiology, Biogeochemical Cycles & Bioremediation,
and Applied & Environmental Microbiology.
Exam Overview & Blueprint:
Parameter Details
Course Environmental and Anthropogenic Impacts of Microbes (ENVS 2126)
Exam
Multiple-choice, true/false, and short-answer questions
Format
Phylogenetic vs. functional diversity, aquatic habitats, eutrophication, aeromicrobiology,
Core Topics
biogeochemical cycles, bioremediation, microbial genetics
,Parameter Details
Key
Environmental Microbiology, 3rd Edition (Pepper, Gerba, Gentry)
Textbook
2026 Focus Application-based questions, microbial identification scenarios, ecological processes
Section 1: Microbial Diversity & Phylogeny
1.1 Phylogenetic vs. Functional Diversity
Q1. Evolutionary relationships between organisms are
described as:
A) Functional diversity
B) Phylogenetic diversity
C) Morphological diversity
D) Ecological diversity
Answer: B
Rationale: Phylogenetic diversity describes the evolutionary
relationships between organisms.
Q2. Form and function as related to microbial physiology and
ecology is called:
A) Phylogenetic diversity
B) Functional diversity
,C) Morphological diversity
D) Genetic diversity
Answer: B
Rationale: Functional diversity refers to form and function as
related to microbial physiology and ecology.
Q3. Which of the following is a reason functional traits are seen
in different species?
A) Gene loss
B) Convergent evolution
C) Horizontal gene transfer
D) All of the above
Answer: D
Rationale: Functional traits can be seen in different species due
to gene loss, convergent evolution, and horizontal gene transfer.
Q4. A trait that is present in a common ancestor but is lost in
some lineages is an example of:
A) Convergent evolution
B) Gene loss
C) Horizontal gene transfer
D) Homologous gene transfer
Answer: B
Rationale: Gene loss occurs when a trait present in a common
ancestor is lost in some lineages.
, Q5. A trait that has evolved independently in two or more
lineages and is not encoded by homologous genes is an
example of:
A) Gene loss
B) Convergent evolution
C) Horizontal gene transfer
D) Homologous gene transfer
Answer: B
Rationale: Convergent evolution occurs when a trait evolves
independently in two or more lineages and is not encoded by
homologous genes.
Q6. Genes that code for a trait are homologous and have been
exchanged between distantly related lineages. This is an
example of:
A) Gene loss
B) Convergent evolution
C) Homologous gene transfer
D) Vertical gene transfer
Answer: C
Rationale: Homologous gene transfer occurs when genes
coding for a trait are homologous and have been exchanged
between distantly related lineages.
Q7. Functional diversity can be defined in terms of:
