Microbio 4000: Ch. 1 Key Concepts
Exam and All Correct Answers
What does the field of Microbiology study? - Answer study of microscopic organisms, such as
bacteria, viruses, archaea, fungi and protozoa. This discipline includes fundamental research on
the biochemistry, physiology, cell biology, ecology, evolution and clinical aspects of
microorganisms, including the host response to these agents
How are microorganisms named? What is binomial nomenclature? What are strains? - Answer
named by binomial system (or by common name): first letter of genus capitalized, lowercase full
species name, all italicized
strains: sub-organization below species level with 20%-30% genetic diversity (like different types
of chocolate ice cream)
What are the three domains of life? Who is responsible for this organization? - Answer
bacteria
archaea
eukarya
proposed by Carl Woese
Which groups of microbes are prokaryotes? Which are eukaryotes? - Answer prokaryotes:
-bacteria
-archaea
eukaryotes:
-protozoa
-algae
-fungi
-helminths
Compare and contrast the major characteristics of each group of microorganisms. - Answer
prokaryotes: no nucleus or membrane-bound organelles
eukaryotes: nucleus/membrane bound organelles
, bacteria: single cell, peptidoglycan cell walls, cell walls, some motile (via flagella), nutrients from
organic or inorganic synthesis or photosynthesis
archaea: single cell, cell walls, some motile (via flagella), nutrients from organic or inorganic
synthesis only, no known pathogens, contains extremophiles
protozoa: single-cell, no cell walls, absorb/ingest organic compounds for nutrition, often motile
(via flagella/cilia/pseudopods), free living or parasitic
algae: photosynthetic, has cell walls, some motile (often flagella), in freshwater/saltwater/soil,
can be uni- or multi-cellular, can produce toxins but pathogenesis is rare
fungi: has cell walls, uptakes organic copounds for nutrition, yeast -> unicellular;
molds/mushrooms -> multicellular, some pathogenesis
helminths: multicellular/macroscopic parasites, parasitic flatworms and roundworms, adults
macroscopic but organisms microscopic in early life
Explain the importance of observations made by Hooke and van Leeuwenhoek. - Answer
Hooke -> First to observe cells Cell Theory:All living things are composed of little boxes, or
"cells"
Leeuwenhoek -> "Father of Microbiology" Better lenses; Observed Microbes (including bacteria)
and other cellsWrote about his findings to the Royal Society of London
What is spontaneous generation and how was it disproved by Pasteur? - Answer
Spontaneous generation: the idea that life arises from nonliving matter; a "vital force" is
necessary for life
disproved by Pasteur's better experiment: the S-shaped flask experiment
-conclusion: microorganisms are in the air and can contaminate sterile solutions, but the air and
broth themselves do not give rise to new microbes
What else is Pasteur known for and how did his work influence Lister and Koch. - Answer
•Determining yeast are responsible for sugar Fermentation
•Pasteurization-spoilage and harmful bacteria can be killed by brief exposure to heat; without
ruining the wine
•Some support for the previously proposed Germ Theory
•Investigating Vaccination; and Jenner's earlier work
Exam and All Correct Answers
What does the field of Microbiology study? - Answer study of microscopic organisms, such as
bacteria, viruses, archaea, fungi and protozoa. This discipline includes fundamental research on
the biochemistry, physiology, cell biology, ecology, evolution and clinical aspects of
microorganisms, including the host response to these agents
How are microorganisms named? What is binomial nomenclature? What are strains? - Answer
named by binomial system (or by common name): first letter of genus capitalized, lowercase full
species name, all italicized
strains: sub-organization below species level with 20%-30% genetic diversity (like different types
of chocolate ice cream)
What are the three domains of life? Who is responsible for this organization? - Answer
bacteria
archaea
eukarya
proposed by Carl Woese
Which groups of microbes are prokaryotes? Which are eukaryotes? - Answer prokaryotes:
-bacteria
-archaea
eukaryotes:
-protozoa
-algae
-fungi
-helminths
Compare and contrast the major characteristics of each group of microorganisms. - Answer
prokaryotes: no nucleus or membrane-bound organelles
eukaryotes: nucleus/membrane bound organelles
, bacteria: single cell, peptidoglycan cell walls, cell walls, some motile (via flagella), nutrients from
organic or inorganic synthesis or photosynthesis
archaea: single cell, cell walls, some motile (via flagella), nutrients from organic or inorganic
synthesis only, no known pathogens, contains extremophiles
protozoa: single-cell, no cell walls, absorb/ingest organic compounds for nutrition, often motile
(via flagella/cilia/pseudopods), free living or parasitic
algae: photosynthetic, has cell walls, some motile (often flagella), in freshwater/saltwater/soil,
can be uni- or multi-cellular, can produce toxins but pathogenesis is rare
fungi: has cell walls, uptakes organic copounds for nutrition, yeast -> unicellular;
molds/mushrooms -> multicellular, some pathogenesis
helminths: multicellular/macroscopic parasites, parasitic flatworms and roundworms, adults
macroscopic but organisms microscopic in early life
Explain the importance of observations made by Hooke and van Leeuwenhoek. - Answer
Hooke -> First to observe cells Cell Theory:All living things are composed of little boxes, or
"cells"
Leeuwenhoek -> "Father of Microbiology" Better lenses; Observed Microbes (including bacteria)
and other cellsWrote about his findings to the Royal Society of London
What is spontaneous generation and how was it disproved by Pasteur? - Answer
Spontaneous generation: the idea that life arises from nonliving matter; a "vital force" is
necessary for life
disproved by Pasteur's better experiment: the S-shaped flask experiment
-conclusion: microorganisms are in the air and can contaminate sterile solutions, but the air and
broth themselves do not give rise to new microbes
What else is Pasteur known for and how did his work influence Lister and Koch. - Answer
•Determining yeast are responsible for sugar Fermentation
•Pasteurization-spoilage and harmful bacteria can be killed by brief exposure to heat; without
ruining the wine
•Some support for the previously proposed Germ Theory
•Investigating Vaccination; and Jenner's earlier work
