VBS 2032: EXAM I Questions and Correct
Answers
What does the term "ubiquity" mean?
everywhere
What are some surprising places microbes are found?
oceans
vegetables
How can microbes travel?
air
skin to skin
We do not yet know the extent of microbial diversity. Why not?
Many microbes have yet to be discovered
What are three ways in which microbial activity is essential for life on this planet?
Nitrogen fixation, Recycling, O2 production
Where are several places microbial biofilms can be found in daily life?
Plaque on your teeth, pacemakers, catheters
What are two ways microbes have changed that impact healthcare?
They can boost your immune system, they can help protect us from autoimmune diseases,
they play defense
,Most microbes are not harmful. What are some reasons for this?
They live where we do not go, they cannot survive in our environment
Your friend recently ate a salad containing a brand of spinach that was recalled for
contamination with E. coli. Can you explain to her the factors that will influence whether
or not she becomes ill?
(number of microbes x virulence of microbe) / host immunity
What are some ways that the Chain of Infection can be broken?
Washing your hands, sanitizing counters, vaccinations
What is the "indoor microbiome?"
Microbiomes that exist indoors where we live and spend most of our time.
What is the "Hygiene Hypothesis" and how might dogs (and other animals) positively
impact our health?
The hygiene hypothesis is about how we are almost too clean now a days that not being exposed
to these microbes could be hurting us. Animals could help bring in 'outside' microbes that can
help us grow our immune systems.
Why are pig whipworm eggs being considered for approval as a food ingredient in
Germany?
It is now believed that eating these pig whipworm eggs could be a health benefit.
Why use pig whipworms instead of human whipworms?
,Pig whipworms would be unable to multiply in the human body which would help make effects
not become harmful.
What two scientists discovered microorganisms?
Antony Van Leeuwenhoek
Robert Hooke
Is a virus considered a microorganism? Why or why not?
No, because they are acellular and are not alive.
What are some basic differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?
Prokaryotes have no nucleus while eukaryotes have a nucleus.
What are the relative sizes of a human cell?
10-100 um
What are the relative sizes of a protein?
10 nm
What are the relative sizes of a virus?
100 nm
What are the relative sizes of most bacteria?
1-10 um
How are microorganisms named?
genus and species
, Genus
commonly named after the founder, can also be named after the shape
Species
name after the location lived
Why did some scientists have difficulty achieving the same result as Pasteur with the swan‐
necked flask?
Since Pasteur used a yeast extract and sugar broth there were no heat resistant microbes in his
broth.
What two scientists helped explain the conflicting data?
Tyndall and Cohn
Tyndall
found some microbes have a heat resistant form
Cohn
discovered endospores
How could the potato salad have been prepared safely?
If the potato salad was used with canned potatoes using the pressure cooker method the
high temperature would have killed the endospores.
Why was there only one fatality?
Answers
What does the term "ubiquity" mean?
everywhere
What are some surprising places microbes are found?
oceans
vegetables
How can microbes travel?
air
skin to skin
We do not yet know the extent of microbial diversity. Why not?
Many microbes have yet to be discovered
What are three ways in which microbial activity is essential for life on this planet?
Nitrogen fixation, Recycling, O2 production
Where are several places microbial biofilms can be found in daily life?
Plaque on your teeth, pacemakers, catheters
What are two ways microbes have changed that impact healthcare?
They can boost your immune system, they can help protect us from autoimmune diseases,
they play defense
,Most microbes are not harmful. What are some reasons for this?
They live where we do not go, they cannot survive in our environment
Your friend recently ate a salad containing a brand of spinach that was recalled for
contamination with E. coli. Can you explain to her the factors that will influence whether
or not she becomes ill?
(number of microbes x virulence of microbe) / host immunity
What are some ways that the Chain of Infection can be broken?
Washing your hands, sanitizing counters, vaccinations
What is the "indoor microbiome?"
Microbiomes that exist indoors where we live and spend most of our time.
What is the "Hygiene Hypothesis" and how might dogs (and other animals) positively
impact our health?
The hygiene hypothesis is about how we are almost too clean now a days that not being exposed
to these microbes could be hurting us. Animals could help bring in 'outside' microbes that can
help us grow our immune systems.
Why are pig whipworm eggs being considered for approval as a food ingredient in
Germany?
It is now believed that eating these pig whipworm eggs could be a health benefit.
Why use pig whipworms instead of human whipworms?
,Pig whipworms would be unable to multiply in the human body which would help make effects
not become harmful.
What two scientists discovered microorganisms?
Antony Van Leeuwenhoek
Robert Hooke
Is a virus considered a microorganism? Why or why not?
No, because they are acellular and are not alive.
What are some basic differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?
Prokaryotes have no nucleus while eukaryotes have a nucleus.
What are the relative sizes of a human cell?
10-100 um
What are the relative sizes of a protein?
10 nm
What are the relative sizes of a virus?
100 nm
What are the relative sizes of most bacteria?
1-10 um
How are microorganisms named?
genus and species
, Genus
commonly named after the founder, can also be named after the shape
Species
name after the location lived
Why did some scientists have difficulty achieving the same result as Pasteur with the swan‐
necked flask?
Since Pasteur used a yeast extract and sugar broth there were no heat resistant microbes in his
broth.
What two scientists helped explain the conflicting data?
Tyndall and Cohn
Tyndall
found some microbes have a heat resistant form
Cohn
discovered endospores
How could the potato salad have been prepared safely?
If the potato salad was used with canned potatoes using the pressure cooker method the
high temperature would have killed the endospores.
Why was there only one fatality?
