Lab 5 Eukaryotic Microbes, Parasitology, & Viruses BIO250L
Straighterline BIO 250L Selective Media & Agar Lab 5 Eukaryotic Microbes, Parasitology, &
Viruses Completed Worksheet with all lab photos (Latest Version August 2024)
Lab Report Format Expectations
Utilize college level grammar and professional formatting when completing this worksheet.
Submissions without proper formatting, all required photos or sufficient responses will be rejected.
Pre-lab Questions
1. What is a model organism, and why is Saccharomyces cerevisiae so often used as one?
Researchers conduct laboratory studies on Saccharomyces cerevisiae, commonly referred to as
budding yeast, to gain insights into biological processes. This model organism is preferred
because of its adaptability to different environmental conditions and ease of maintenance.
Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a useful system for comparative studies because it regulates cell
division similarly to human cells.
2. Research and discuss the properties of mold that make them sometimes beneficial to humans,
and sometimes potentially harmful.
Exposure to moldy environments can be hazardous as mold can produce allergens and irritants
that can cause a variety of health issues, such as coughing, nasal congestion, and throat
irritation. But mold also has a lot of advantages. Some of the fungi that grow on mushrooms
help to produce important chemicals and antibiotics that are beneficial to human health, like
penicillin.
3. The lab guide discussed “acellular” organisms. What characteristics classify them as acellular?
Would you consider these living organisms?
Acellular entities are defined by the lack of organelles, cell walls, and cell membranes. Viruses
and prions are two examples of such entities; they lack the typical cellular characteristics of
living things. Because these acellular entities lack basic characteristics of life, it is debatable
whether or not they qualify as living organisms. In spite of this, they have the ability to have
significant biological effects on host organisms both inside and outside of them, especially on
host cells.
4. Do some research and describe an acellular organism other than the two types discussed in the
lab materials.
, Lab 5 Eukaryotic Microbes, Parasitology, & Viruses BIO250L
Prions are infectious proteins capable of inducing misfolding in normal cellular proteins. These
misfolded proteins are associated with several neurodegenerative disorders and are
characterized by the absence of cellular structure.
Straighterline BIO 250L Selective Media & Agar Lab 5 Eukaryotic Microbes, Parasitology, &
Viruses Completed Worksheet with all lab photos (Latest Version August 2024)
Lab Report Format Expectations
Utilize college level grammar and professional formatting when completing this worksheet.
Submissions without proper formatting, all required photos or sufficient responses will be rejected.
Pre-lab Questions
1. What is a model organism, and why is Saccharomyces cerevisiae so often used as one?
Researchers conduct laboratory studies on Saccharomyces cerevisiae, commonly referred to as
budding yeast, to gain insights into biological processes. This model organism is preferred
because of its adaptability to different environmental conditions and ease of maintenance.
Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a useful system for comparative studies because it regulates cell
division similarly to human cells.
2. Research and discuss the properties of mold that make them sometimes beneficial to humans,
and sometimes potentially harmful.
Exposure to moldy environments can be hazardous as mold can produce allergens and irritants
that can cause a variety of health issues, such as coughing, nasal congestion, and throat
irritation. But mold also has a lot of advantages. Some of the fungi that grow on mushrooms
help to produce important chemicals and antibiotics that are beneficial to human health, like
penicillin.
3. The lab guide discussed “acellular” organisms. What characteristics classify them as acellular?
Would you consider these living organisms?
Acellular entities are defined by the lack of organelles, cell walls, and cell membranes. Viruses
and prions are two examples of such entities; they lack the typical cellular characteristics of
living things. Because these acellular entities lack basic characteristics of life, it is debatable
whether or not they qualify as living organisms. In spite of this, they have the ability to have
significant biological effects on host organisms both inside and outside of them, especially on
host cells.
4. Do some research and describe an acellular organism other than the two types discussed in the
lab materials.
, Lab 5 Eukaryotic Microbes, Parasitology, & Viruses BIO250L
Prions are infectious proteins capable of inducing misfolding in normal cellular proteins. These
misfolded proteins are associated with several neurodegenerative disorders and are
characterized by the absence of cellular structure.
