hosa biotech - microbiology and cell culture

What are the two main types of cells in microbiology?

Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.

What did the Brown v. Board of Education ruling of 1954 state?

Separate educational facilities are inherently unequal.

What is the primary difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?

Eukaryotic cells have a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles; prokaryotic cells do not.

What are Koch's postulates used for?

To establish the causative agent of a disease.

Identify one application of bacteria in biotechnology.

Bacteria are used in the production of yogurt through lactic acid fermentation.

What role do mitochondria play in eukaryotic cells?

They are involved in ATP production through respiration.

What is the function of lysosomes in eukaryotic cells?

They digest and recycle cellular waste and worn-out organelles.

What is the preferred temperature range for mesophilic bacteria?

Mesophilic bacteria grow best between 15 and 40°C.

How do antibiotics like penicillin affect bacterial cells?

They inhibit the formation of the bacterial cell wall.

Name one technique used to culture bacteria in laboratory settings.

The streak plate technique.

What factors are important for bacterial growth?

Oxygen, temperature, and salt levels.

Describe the main use of the Kirby-Bauer test in microbiology.

To measure the sensitivity of bacteria to antibiotics.

What is a recombinant protein?

A protein that is artificially produced in a genetically engineered organism.

What are extremophiles?

Microorganisms that thrive in extreme environmental conditions.

Identify one historical impact of infectious diseases on society.

Malaria contributed to the decline of the Roman Empire.

What is the significance of the Golgi apparatus in eukaryotic cells?

It modifies proteins and sorts them for transportation.

How are antimicrobial resistance issues related to antibiotic use?

Overuse and misuse of antibiotics can lead to the emergence of resistant strains.

What is the purpose of differential media in microbiology?

To distinguish between different types of bacteria based on their metabolic properties.

Define the role of plasmids in bacteria.

Small loops of DNA that can carry genes for traits like antibiotic resistance.

What is meant by aseptic technique in microbiology?

Practices to maintain sterility and avoid contamination during cell culture.

What is the difference between gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria?

Gram-positive bacteria have a thick peptidoglycan layer while gram-negative bacteria have a thin layer.

Explain the significance of the term 'pathogen.'

A microorganism that can cause disease.

Provide an example of a eukaryotic microorganism used in biotechnology.

Yeast, commonly used for fermentation in baking and brewing.

How does the process of fermentation benefit industries?

It allows for the production of alcohol and certain foods, utilizing yeast.

Why are tissue culture hoods important in eukaryotic cell culture?

They protect cultures from contamination through controlled airflow.

What are recombinant DNA technologies?

Techniques used to manipulate and clone DNA for various applications.

Identify one challenge associated with culturing mammalian cells.

They are difficult and expensive to culture compared to bacterial cells.

What are induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)?

Stem cells derived from adult tissues that have been reprogrammed to an embryonic-like state.

What is the role of chloroplasts in plant cells?

They are involved in photosynthesis, converting light energy into chemical energy.

How can serial dilution be used in quantifying bacteria?

It decreases the concentration of bacteria to allow for colony counting on agar plates.

What type of cells did Genentech use to produce human insulin?

Genetically engineered E. coli bacteria.

What is a major source of ethical debate in stem cell research?

The use of human embryos to derive embryonic stem cells.

What is the main function of the plasma membrane in cells?

To regulate the entry and exit of substances.

Describe the basic structure of a bacterial cell.

It typically has a plasma membrane, cell wall, nucleoid containing DNA, and ribosomes.

What does 'halophile' refer to in microbiology?

Bacteria that thrive in high-salt environments.

Highlight a significant historical figure in microbiology.

Robert Koch, known for developing Koch's postulates.

What are the primary components of eukaryotic cell culture media?

Nutrients including amino acids, salts, glucose, vitamins, and iron.

What is a common method for visualizing bacteria under a microscope?

The Gram stain technique.

Name a type of antibiotic resistance caused by overuse of antibiotics.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

What is the purpose of using phenol red in mammalian cell culture?

To serve as a pH indicator.

What environmental conditions are typically required for culturing eukaryotic cells?

Optimal temperature, nutrient supply, and often increased CO2 levels.

Define ‘antibody’ in the context of eukaryotic cells.

A protein produced by the immune system that can recognize and neutralize foreign objects.

What is the relationship between bacteria and the production of antibiotics?

Certain bacteria produce substances that inhibit the growth of other bacteria.

How are primary cells different from established cell lines in culture?

Primary cells have limited lifespan, whereas established cell lines can grow indefinitely.

What does spectroscopy measure in determining bacterial concentration?

Optical density (OD).

What is a significant application of fungi in biotechnology?

Production of enzymes like amylases used in industrial processes.

What are some environmental factors affecting bacterial growth?

Oxygen concentration, temperature, salinity, and pH.

Elaborate on the importance of aseptic techniques in microbiology.

They prevent contamination and ensure the reliability of experimental results.

What role do ribosomes play in cells?

They are the sites for protein synthesis.

Describe what happens during the Gram stain procedure.

Bacteria are stained with crystal violet, treated with iodine, decolorized, and counterstained with safranin.

What are the characteristics of psychrophilic bacteria?

They thrive in cold temperatures, typically between -15 to 10°C.

Identify one use of bacterial enzymes in industry.

Detergents often contain amylases to break down starch stains.

What distinguishes a virus from other microorganisms?

Viruses require a host cell to replicate and are structurally simpler.

What type of bacteria are involved in lactic acid fermentation?

Lactobacillus species.

How does genetic engineering modify bacteria?

By inserting foreign genes into plasmids or the bacterial genome.

What temperature is optimal for culturing E. coli?

37°C.

Explain the significance of cryopreservation in microbiology.

It allows long-term storage of bacterial cultures at very low temperatures.

What characteristic of plant cells helps in tissue culture procedures?

Plant cells are totipotent, meaning they can regenerate into whole plants from single cells.

Identify one method used to ensure the sterility of instruments in cell culture.

Using a Bunsen burner to heat sterilize inoculation tools.

What are the three domains of life?

Archaea, Bacteria, and Eukarya.

Name a beneficial effect of using genetically modified organisms in agriculture.

Increased crop resilience and yield.

What tool is used for spreading bacteria on agar plates?

An inoculation spreader.

What is the purpose of using selective media in microbiology?

To inhibit the growth of unwanted bacteria while allowing the growth of the target organism.

Describe the relevance of bioethics in biotechnology.

Bioethics addresses the moral implications of biotechnological advances and practices.

How does bacterial morphology aid in identification?

Shape, size, and arrangement can help distinguish between different bacterial species.

What safety precautions must be taken when handling pathogenic microorganisms?

Using a biological safety cabinet and appropriate personal protective equipment.

Explain the importance of microbial fermentation in food production.

Fermentation improves flavor and extends the shelf life of products.

What does cultivation of microorganisms in liquid media allow?

It enables mass production of cells and their metabolic products.

Define 'colony-forming unit' (CFU).

A measure of viable bacteria, as one cell can form a visible colony on a solid medium.

What is the purpose of using a spectrophotometer in microbiology?

To measure the optical density for quantifying bacterial growth.

Outline the steps of performing a Gram stain.

1. Stain with crystal violet; 2. Add iodine; 3. Decolorize with alcohol; 4. Counterstain with safranin.

What environmental aspect do eukaryotic cells require additional control of during culturing?

Higher levels of CO2 to mimic physiological conditions.

What is an example of a selective media used to identify specific bacteria?

Mannitol salt agar is selective for staphylococci.

Identify one advantage of using insect cells for protein production.

Insect cells perform better glycosylation than yeast.

What is one reason for the commercial use of fungi in biochemistry?

Fungi can produce a diverse range of enzymes for industrial applications.

What are microtubules and their function in eukaryotic cells?

They maintain cell shape and are involved in cell division and transport.

What is the primary enzyme used in DNA manipulation for cloning processes?

Restriction enzymes.

Why is the cytoskeleton important for eukaryotic cells?

It provides structural support and aids in intracellular movement.

Describe how the central vacuole functions in plant cells.

It stores nutrients, wastes, and maintains turgor pressure.

What main factor distinguishes cultured cells in petri dishes from those in bioreactors?

Bioreactors allow for large-scale cultivation under controlled environmental conditions.

What type of agar would be used to isolate non-lactose fermenting bacteria?

MacConkey agar.

Identify the processes that occur in the mitochondria.

ATP production and cellular respiration.

What purpose do primary cells serve in research?

They help study normal cell behavior directly from organisms.

Explain the relevance of auxotrophs in genetic studies.

They are mutants that require additional nutrients for growth, aiding in understanding metabolic pathways.

What is the main function of the nucleus in eukaryotic cells?

To hold the cell's genetic material and regulate gene expression.

What are the benefits and risks associated with using genetically modified organisms (GMOs)?

Benefits include improved yield and resistance; risks include ecological concerns and health effects.

Explain the significance of using chemical indicators in laboratory experiments.

They help monitor conditions like pH in culture media.

What is an example of a prokaryotic extremophile?

Archaea found in hot springs or salt lakes.

Identify a common method to prevent contamination in microbiological labs.

Practicing aseptic technique.

What role does the internet play in modern biotechnology research?

It provides access to databases, journals, and remote collaboration platforms.

How has genetic engineering impacted vaccine development?

Recombinant technology has enabled the production of safer and more effective vaccines.

What are the risks associated with antibiotic overuse?

Development of antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria.

What is meant by 'serum' in the context of cell culture?

Fluid containing nutrients and hormones extracted from animal blood.

Define the relationship between temperature and microbial growth.

Different microorganisms have optimum temperatures that affect their growth and metabolic activities.

How are monoclonal antibodies produced?

By fusing specific immune cells with myeloma cells to create hybridomas.

What are antibiotic susceptibility tests used for?

To determine the effectiveness of specific antibiotics against bacterial pathogens.

What is pasteurization and why is it important in microbiology?

It is a heat treatment process that kills harmful bacteria in food and drinks.

What methods are used to characterize bacterial species?

Morphological, biochemical, and genetic analysis.

How does horizontal gene transfer contribute to bacterial evolution?

It allows for the exchange of genetic material, leading to new traits, such as antibiotic resistance.

What is the significance of eukaryotic cell lines in research?

They provide a consistent and reproducible source for scientific studies.