Microbes in Decomposition, Environment, and Human Health: Key Concepts

What beneficial role do microbes play as decomposers?

They break down and decompose organic matter.

How do microbes contribute to the environment through gas recycling?

They play a role in recycling biologically active gases.

What is the role of microbes as part of the normal human microbiome?

They aid in the immune system and nutrition, such as by producing vitamins.

Besides health and environment, what is another beneficial role of microbes?

They are used in industry for creating food, chemicals, and other products.

Who was the first scientist to observe cells, describing them as "little boxes"?

Robert Hooke

Which scientist was the first to observe live microorganisms and document their different shapes and movements?

Anton van Leeuwenhoek

The first scientist to make a case against spontaneous generation by studying maggots was _____.

Francesco Redi

Who proposed the concept of biogenesis, stating that living cells arise from preexisting living cells?

Rudolf Virchow

What foundational concept for aseptic techniques did Louis Pasteur establish?

He demonstrated that microbes in non-living matter can be destroyed by heat.

Who first applied the germ theory to medical procedures by treating surgical wounds with phenol?

Joseph Lister

What was Robert Koch's primary contribution to microbiology?

He was the first to prove that bacteria cause disease, establishing Koch's postulates.

Which of the following demonstrates the correct format for binomial nomenclature: Proteus Mirabilis or Proteus mirabilis?

Proteus mirabilis (Genus capitalized, species lowercase, italicized).

Define: Spontaneous Generation

The belief that living cells can arise spontaneously from non-living matter.

Define: Taxonomy

The theory and practice of identifying, describing, naming, and classifying organisms.

Define: Biogenesis

The principle that living things arise only from preexisting living cells.

Define: Phylogeny

The study of shared evolutionary history, often represented in a phylogenetic tree.

Define: Strain

A genetic variant or subtype of a microbial species.

What cell type is characteristic of the domains Archaea and Bacteria?

Prokaryotic (Prok)

What cell type is characteristic of the domain Eukarya?

Eukaryotic (Euk)

What is the primary cell form (unicellular or multicellular) for organisms in the Archaea and Bacteria domains?

Unicellular

Organisms in the domain Eukarya can be what cell form(s)?

Unicellular or multicellular

The cell walls of organisms in the domain Bacteria are primarily made of what substance?

Peptidoglycan (PG)

What is the typical replication mechanism for organisms in the domains Archaea and Bacteria?

Binary Fission

What is the replication mechanism for cells in the domain Eukarya?

Mitosis

How does the cell wall composition of Archaea differ from that of Bacteria?

Archaea cell walls lack peptidoglycan

Organisms in the domain Archaea are often called _____ because they are commonly found in extreme environments.

Extremophiles

What are the four kingdoms that constitute the domain Eukarya?

Plantae, Animalia, Fungi, and Protista.

What term is given to microbes, such as viruses and prions, that do not consist of cells?

Acellular

List two examples of acellular microbes.

Viruses and prions

Which group of eukaryotic microbes is characterized as being entirely unicellular and extremely diverse?

Protozoa

What structures can protozoa use for motility?

Pseudopods, cilia, or flagella.

Which group of eukaryotic microbes has cell walls containing cellulose and uses photosynthesis for energy?

Algae

The cell walls of Fungi are composed of what substance?

Chitin

Unlike algae, fungi are not _____ and must absorb nutrients from their environment.

Photosynthetic

A microorganism isolated from a hot spring with a temperature of 60°C would most likely belong to which domain?

Archaea

Why is a microbe from a hot spring likely an Archaea?

Because Archaea are the organisms most commonly found living in extreme environments like high temperatures.

What is a key structural difference between the cells of Archaea and Bacteria?

Bacteria have peptidoglycan in their cell wall, while Archaea do not.

What is the fundamental structural difference between cells of Archaea and Eukarya?

Archaea consist of prokaryotic cells, whereas Eukarya consist of eukaryotic cells.

In an infographic about the positive roles of microbes, what is one theme related to environmental processes?

Environmental recycling, where microbes decompose organic matter (e.g., composting) and recycle gases.

What is a key theme related to the positive role of microbes in human health?

The human microbiome aids digestion, immune function, and vitamin production.

Name a theme and one example of the positive role of microbes in industry.

Food production; microbes are essential for making foods like bread, yogurt, and cheese.