Bacteria & Virus Warm Up 1

Influenza is classified as a virus because it is caused by the influenza virus. Viruses are microscopic infectious agents that can only replicate inside the cells of living organisms. Influenza is a highly contagious respiratory illness that affects the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs. It spreads through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. Vaccines are available to prevent influenza, and antiviral medications can be used to treat the infection.

The question asks for the shape of bacteria that is NOT common. The options given are Bacillus (rod-shaped), Coccus (round-shaped), Spirillum (spiral-shaped), and Thermoacidphile (irregular-shaped). Bacillus, Coccus, and Spirillum are all common shapes of bacteria, but Thermoacidphile is not. Therefore, the correct answer is Thermoacidphile (irregular-shaped).

Gram-positive bacteria retain the purple dye in their cell walls because they have a thick peptidoglycan layer. This layer traps the crystal violet dye, making the bacteria appear purple under a microscope. Gram-positive bacteria have a single plasma membrane surrounded by a thick peptidoglycan layer, which retains the dye, while gram-negative bacteria have an additional outer membrane that prevents the dye from being retained, causing them to appear pink after the counterstain is applied. Therefore, the statement that gram-positive bacteria appear purple under a microscope is true.

The correct answer is virus because TMV is specifically referred to as a tobacco mosaic virus, indicating that it is a type of virus. Viruses are microscopic infectious agents that can only replicate inside the cells of living organisms. They are distinct from bacteria, prions, and viroids, which are all different types of infectious agents with their own unique characteristics.

Methanogens are a group of archaeal bacteria that convert hydrogen and carbon dioxide into methane gas. This process, known as methanogenesis, occurs in anaerobic environments such as swamps, marshes, and the digestive tracts of animals. Methanogens play a crucial role in the global carbon cycle and are responsible for the production of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. They are unique in their ability to survive and thrive in extreme conditions, such as high temperatures, high salinity, and acidic environments. Methanogens are classified as archaea, a distinct domain of single-celled microorganisms.

Borrelia burgdorferi is classified as a bacteria because it is a spirochete bacterium that causes Lyme disease. It is a Gram-negative bacterium that is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected black-legged ticks. It has a unique spiral shape and is capable of causing a wide range of symptoms in infected individuals. Bacteria are single-celled microorganisms that have a distinct cell wall and can reproduce independently.

Rickettsia prowazekii is classified as a bacteria because it is a gram-negative, obligate intracellular pathogen that causes the disease known as epidemic typhus. It is a small, rod-shaped bacteria that is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected lice. Rickettsia prowazekii is capable of reproducing only within host cells, which is a characteristic of bacteria.

Gram-positive bacteria do not take up the red dye of the gram stain process. Instead, they retain the crystal violet dye, which makes the cells appear purple under a microscope. Gram-negative bacteria, on the other hand, take up the red dye, which gives them a reddish-pink color. Therefore, the given statement is false.

Thermoacidophiles are a group of archaeal bacteria that are known to inhabit hydrothermal vents called black smokers. These bacteria are able to survive and thrive in extreme conditions of high temperature and acidity, making them well-suited for these environments. Methanogens, halophiles, gram-negative, and gram-positive bacteria are not specifically associated with hydrothermal vents and do not have the same adaptability to extreme conditions as thermoacidophiles.

Halophiles are a group of archaeal bacteria that live in environments with very high salt concentrations. They are able to survive and thrive in these extreme conditions due to their unique adaptations, such as the production of special proteins and enzymes that can function in high salt concentrations. These bacteria are commonly found in places like salt flats, salt lakes, and salt pans. They play an important role in the ecosystem by helping to maintain the balance of salt concentrations in these environments.