Chapter 1 End of Chapter questions

How did the idea of spontaneous generation come about?

People saw

• flies coming out of manure

• maggots coming out of dead animals,

• microorganisms appearing in liquids after 1-2 days

—> so they believed living organisms arose from nonliving matter

Briefly state the role microorganisms play in each of the following:

1. biological control of pests

1. Certain microorganisms cause diseases in insects. Microorganisms that kill insects can be effective biological control agents because they are specific for the pest and do not persist in the environment.

Briefly state the role microorganisms play in each of the following:

2. recycling of elements

2. Carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorus are required for all living organisms. Microorganisms convert these elements into forms that are useful for other organisms. Many bacteria decompose material and release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which plants use. Some bacteria can take nitrogen from the atmosphere and convert it into a form that plants and other microorganisms can use.

Briefly state the role microorganisms play in each of the following:

3. normal microbiota

3. Normal microbiota are microorganisms that are found in and on the human body. They do not usually cause disease and can be beneficial.

Briefly state the role microorganisms play in each of the following:

4. sewage treatment

4. Organic matter in sewage is decomposed by bacteria into carbon dioxide, nitrates, phosphates, sulfate, and other inorganic compounds in a wastewater treatment plant.

Briefly state the role microorganisms play in each of the following:

5. human insulin production

5. Recombinant DNA techniques have resulted in insertion of the gene for insulin production into bacteria. These bacteria can produce human insulin inexpensively.

Briefly state the role microorganisms play in each of the following:

6. vaccine production

6. Microorganisms can be used as vaccines. Some microbes can be genetically modified to produce components of vaccines.

Briefly state the role microorganisms play in each of the following:

7. biofilms

7. Biofilms are aggregated bacteria adhering to each other and to a solid surface.

Into which field of microbiology would the following scientists best fit?

A

a. 1, 3

Into which field of microbiology would the following scientists best fit?

B

b. 8

Into which field of microbiology would the following scientists best fit?

C

c. 1, 4, 5

Into which field of microbiology would the following scientists best fit?

D

d. 2

Into which field of microbiology would the following scientists best fit?

E

e. 5

Into which field of microbiology would the following scientists best fit?

F

f. 3

Into which field of microbiology would the following scientists best fit?

G

g. 6

Into which field of microbiology would the following scientists best fit?

H

h. 7

Match the microorganisms in column A to their descriptions in column B.

A

a. 7

Match the microorganisms in column A to their descriptions in column B.

B

b. 4

Match the microorganisms in column A to their descriptions in column B.

C

c. 3

Match the microorganisms in column A to their descriptions in column B.

D

d. 2

Match the microorganisms in column A to their descriptions in column B.

E

e. 6

Match the microorganisms in column A to their descriptions in column B.

F

f. 5

Match the microorganisms in column A to their descriptions in column B.

G

g. 1

Match the people in column A to their contribution toward the advancement of microbiology, in column B.

A

a. 11

Match the people in column A to their contribution toward the advancement of microbiology, in column B.

B

b. 14

Match the people in column A to their contribution toward the advancement of microbiology, in column B.

C

c. 15

Match the people in column A to their contribution toward the advancement of microbiology, in column B.

D

d. 17

Match the people in column A to their contribution toward the advancement of microbiology, in column B.

E

e. 3

Match the people in column A to their contribution toward the advancement of microbiology, in column B.

F

f. 9

Match the people in column A to their contribution toward the advancement of microbiology, in column B.

G

g. 10

Match the people in column A to their contribution toward the advancement of microbiology, in column B.

H

h. 2

Match the people in column A to their contribution toward the advancement of microbiology, in column B.

I

i. 1

Match the people in column A to their contribution toward the advancement of microbiology, in column B.

J

j. 12

Match the people in column A to their contribution toward the advancement of microbiology, in column B.

K

k. 18

Match the people in column A to their contribution toward the advancement of microbiology, in column B.

L

l. 4

Match the people in column A to their contribution toward the advancement of microbiology, in column B.

M

m. 7

Match the people in column A to their contribution toward the advancement of microbiology, in column B.

N

n. 5

Match the people in column A to their contribution toward the advancement of microbiology, in column B.

O

o. 6

Match the people in column A to their contribution toward the advancement of microbiology, in column B.

P

p. 8

Match the people in column A to their contribution toward the advancement of microbiology, in column B.

Q

q. 13

Match the people in column A to their contribution toward the advancement of microbiology, in column B.

R

r. 16

It is possible to purchase the following microorganisms in a retail store. Provide a reason for buying each.

b. Saccharomyces

b. the yeast sold for making bread, wine, and beer

It is possible to purchase the following microorganisms in a retail store. Provide a reason for buying each.

a. Bacillus thuringiensis

a. sold as a biological insecticide

NAME IT What type of microorganism has a peptidoglycan cell wall, has DNA that is not contained in a nucleus, and has flagella?

Bacterium

DRAW IT Show where airborne microbes ended up in Pasteur’s experiment.

Which of the following is a scientific name?

1. Mycobacterium tuberculosis

2. Tubercle bacillus

1 Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Which of the following is not a characteristic of bacteria?

1. are prokaryotic

2. have peptidoglycan cell walls

3. have the same shape

4. grow by binary fission

5. have the ability to move

3

Which of the following is the most important element of Koch’s germ theory of disease? The animal shows disease symptoms when

1. the animal has been in contact with a sick animal.

2. the animal has a lowered resistance.

3. a microorganism is observed in the animal.

4. a microorganism is inoculated into the animal.

5. microorganisms can be cultured from the animal.

4

Recombinant DNA is

1. DNA in bacteria.

2. the study of how genes work.

3. the DNA resulting when genes of two different organisms are mixed.

4. the use of bacteria in the production of foods.

5. the production of proteins by genes.

3

Which of the following statements is the best definition of biogenesis?

1. Nonliving matter gives rise to living organisms.

2. Living cells can only arise from preexisting cells.

3. A vital force is necessary for life.

4. Air is necessary for living organisms.

5. Microorganisms can be generated from nonliving matter.

2

Which of the following is a beneficial activity of microorganisms?

1. Some microorganisms are used as food for humans.

2. Some microorganisms use carbon dioxide.

3. Some microorganisms provide nitrogen for plant growth.

4. Some microorganisms are used in sewage treatment processes.

5. all of the above

5

It has been said that bacteria are essential for the existence of life on Earth. Which of the following is the essential function performed by bacteria?

1. control insect populations

2. directly provide food for humans

3. decompose organic material and recycle elements

4. cause disease

5. produce human hormones such as insulin

3

Which of the following is an example of bioremediation?

1. application of oil-degrading bacteria to an oil spill

2. application of bacteria to a crop to prevent frost damage

3. fixation of gaseous nitrogen into usable nitrogen

4. production by bacteria of a human protein such as interferon

5. all of the above

1

Spallanzani’s conclusion about spontaneous generation was challenged because Antoine Lavoisier had just shown that oxygen was the vital component of air. Which of the following statements is true?

1. All life requires air.

2. Only disease-causing organisms require air.

3. Some microbes do not require air.

4. Pasteur kept air out of his biogenesis experiments.

5. Lavoisier was mistaken.

3

Which of the following statements about E. coli is false?

1. E. coli was the first disease-causing bacterium identified by Koch.

2. E. coli is part of the normal microbiome of humans.

3. E. coli is beneficial in human intestines.

4. E. coli gets nutrients from intestinal contents.

5. None of the above; all the statements are true.

1

How did the theory of biogenesis lead the way for the germ theory of disease?

People had originally thought that diseases were punishment for someone's crimes because they believed that living things could just spontaneously pop up. Pasteur showed that the living cells can only come from another living cell. This made the germ theory of disease possible because diseases do come from microorganisms.

1876, Robert Koch found first proof that bacteria cause disease through his discovery of anthrax organism in affected individuals

Even though the germ theory of disease was not demonstrated until 1876, why did Semmelweis (1840) and Lister (1867) argue for the use of aseptic techniques?

Both Semmelweis and Lister observed healthier or more positive results from their patients by using aseptic techniques. These techniques prevent contamination from unwanted micro-organisms which are now became the standard practices in laboratory and many medical procedures.

The genus name of a bacterium is “erwinia,” and the specific epithet is “amylovora.” Write the scientific name of this organism correctly. Using this name as an example, explain how scientific names are chosen.

The scientific name of this organism is Erwinia amylovora. First name is the genus name and can be thought of like our family name. Second name is the specific epithet can be thought of like your personal name. Scientific names can describe an organism, honor a scientist, or identify the habitat of a species.

Find at least three supermarket products made by microorganisms. (Hint: The label will state the scientific name of the organism or include the word culture, fermented, or brewed.)

1. Cheese; live cultures in ingredients list, lactic acid bacteria

2. Alcoholic beverages like beer and wine; yeasts used to ferment the sugars from grapes or barley

3. Insect/bug killers; bacillus thuringiensis which is a bacterium that produces insecticidal proteins that destroy the lining of insects

yogurt

bread

In the 1960s, many physicians and the public believed that infectious diseases were retreating and would be fully conquered. Discuss why this didn’t happen. Is it possible?

Infectious diseases were/are not fully conquered due to mutation that bacterias goes through. Bacteria become resistant to antibiotics available, making it very hard to completely eradicate diseases. Some disease got really close to become eradicated, such as Polio and Measles but this hasn't been possible due to some people not being vaccinated.

Exception: Small Pox is the only diseases that has been completely eradicated, thanks to vaccination

The prevalence of arthritis in the United States is 1 in 10,000 children. However, 1 in 10 children in Lyme, Connecticut, developed arthritis between June and September 1973. Allen Steere, a rheumatologist at Yale University, investigated the cases in Lyme and found that 25% of the patients remembered having a skin rash during their arthritic episode and that the disease was treatable with penicillin. Steere concluded that this was a new infectious disease and did not have an environmental, genetic, or immunologic cause.

a. What was the factor that caused Steere to reach his conclusion?

A. the factor that caused Steere to reach his conclusion was that the disease was treated with penicillin, if it was arthritis it couldn't have been cured with penicillin

The prevalence of arthritis in the United States is 1 in 10,000 children. However, 1 in 10 children in Lyme, Connecticut, developed arthritis between June and September 1973. Allen Steere, a rheumatologist at Yale University, investigated the cases in Lyme and found that 25% of the patients remembered having a skin rash during their arthritic episode and that the disease was treatable with penicillin. Steere concluded that this was a new infectious disease and did not have an environmental, genetic, or immunologic cause.

b. What is the disease?

b. the disease was lyme disease (a bacterial infection caused by borrelia) that if untreated can lead to joint pains and stiffness

The prevalence of arthritis in the United States is 1 in 10,000 children. However, 1 in 10 children in Lyme, Connecticut, developed arthritis between June and September 1973. Allen Steere, a rheumatologist at Yale University, investigated the cases in Lyme and found that 25% of the patients remembered having a skin rash during their arthritic episode and that the disease was treatable with penicillin. Steere concluded that this was a new infectious disease and did not have an environmental, genetic, or immunologic cause.

c. Why was the disease more prevalent between June and September?

c. it is was more prevalent between June and September because the insect or tick that transmits that disease is more prevalent in those months. the time period favorable to young ticks, they feed on animals and increase the rate the disease spreads

In 1864, Lister observed that patients typically recovered completely from simple fractures but that compound fractures, in which parts of the broken bone pierce the skin, had “disastrous consequences.” He knew that the application of phenol (carbolic acid) to fields in the town of Carlisle prevented cattle disease. Lister treated compound fractures with phenol, and his patients recovered without complications.

How was Lister influenced by Pasteur’s work?

Why was Koch’s work still needed?

1. Joseph Lister was influenced by Louis Pasteur's germ theory. Pasteur demonstrated that microorganisms cause disease and rotting, but they could be killed through various means such as chemical solutions. This inspired Lister to experiment with chemical solutions and develop antiseptic methods in surgery since he believed these germs were the cause of infections

In 1864, Lister observed that patients typically recovered completely from simple fractures but that compound fractures, in which parts of the broken bone pierce the skin, had “disastrous consequences.” He knew that the application of phenol (carbolic acid) to fields in the town of Carlisle prevented cattle disease. Lister treated compound fractures with phenol, and his patients recovered without complications.

Why was Koch’s work still needed?

1. Robert Koch's expanded and clarified the germ theory. Koch's methods to isolate and grow bacteria in a laboratory setting established definitive links between specific organisms and diseases, and his guidelines, known as Koch's postulates, are still used to identify the causative agents of infectious diseases.

Discuss whether antibacterial soaps and detergents should be used in the home.

it is better NOT to use antibacterial soaps at home

it is best to use normal soap and wash hands well for 20 seconds

it is important to keep the normal microbiota in the skin which protects against harmful pathogens

antibacterial soap will kill the "good" bacteria along with harmful pathogens

QUESTION How do we benefit from the production of vitamin K by microbes?

Vitamin K is necessary for blood clotting

QUESTION How are bacteria, archaea, fungi, protozoa, algae, and viruses distinguished on the basis of structure?

Bacteria are prokaryotic with peptidoglycan cell walls.'

Archaea are prokaryotes lacking peptidoglycan.

Fungi are eukaryotes with chitin cell walls

.Protozoa are unicellular eukaryotes without cell walls.

Algae are unicellular eukaryotes with chloroplasts and cell walls.

Viruses are not composed of cells. They consist of a protein coat enclosing a nucleic acid.

QUESTION Why was van Leeuwenhoek's discovery so important?

: It led the way to look for microbial causes of disease and changes in food.

QUESTION Why do you think the First Golden Age of Microbiology occurred when it did?

Technology (microscopes) combined with Pasteur’s discovery that microbes cause “diseases” of food.

QUESTION Why do you think penicillin is no longer as effective as it once was?

Overuse has selected for penicillin-resistant bacteria.

QUESTION What advances occurred during the Second Golden Age of Microbiology?

Discovery and development of antibiotics and other antimicrobial agents, development of techniques for sequencing DNA and for producing monoclonal antibodies.

QUESTION How do you think parasitic worms survive and live off a human host?

Worms could actively ingest human tissue or could absorb nutrients from the host’s intestinal contents.

QUESTION Why is it important to identify streptococci quickly?

Streptococci include several important pathogens including Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus agalactiae, and Streptococcus pneumoniae.

QUESTION How does a biofilm's protective barrier make it resistant to antibiotics?

The barrier makes it difficult for the antibiotics to penetrate the biofilm and access the microorganisms.