Cyanobacteria Identification Quiz

1. What is Gleocapsa?

A species of marine algae found in deep ocean trenches.

A flowering plant with red petals and thorny stems.

~cyanobacteria~unicellular~not filamentous, several spherical cells are embedded in gelatinous matrix

A type of fungus that grows on rocks.

Gleocapsa refers to cyanobacteria that are unicellular and not filamentous, with several spherical cells embedded in a gelatinous matrix.

Explanation

Gleocapsa refers to cyanobacteria that are unicellular and not filamentous, with several spherical cells embedded in a gelatinous matrix.

2. What type of organism is anabaena?

Algae

Fungi

Protozoa

Anabaena is a type of cyanobacteria, not algae, protozoa, or fungi.

Explanation

Anabaena is a type of cyanobacteria, not algae, protozoa, or fungi.

3. What is gleotrichia?

A rare type of flower that blooms once every decade.

~heterocysts at the end of filament~clog up water filters on pumps or wells

A type of fish found in tropical waters.

A specific genus of bacteria commonly found in soil.

Gleotrichia refers to the formation of heterocysts at the end of filaments which can clog up water filters on pumps or wells.

Explanation

Gleotrichia refers to the formation of heterocysts at the end of filaments which can clog up water filters on pumps or wells.

4. What is Oscillatoria known for?

A dessert made with chocolate and vanilla layers

A rare gemstone found in caves

A type of musical instrument

~gliding movement of the filaments (motile)~found commonly in polluted lakes and ponds especially with nitrates and phosphates from fertilizers

Oscillatoria refers to a type of cyanobacteria that exhibit gliding movement of the filaments and are commonly found in polluted bodies of water.

Explanation

Oscillatoria refers to a type of cyanobacteria that exhibit gliding movement of the filaments and are commonly found in polluted bodies of water.

5. What is nostoc?

An animal species found in the Arctic region.

A type of mineral used in construction.

A scale used in music theory to measure pitch.

~spherical colonies~resemble anabaena but filaments are usually packed into a "ball"

Nostoc is a type of cyanobacteria that forms spherical colonies resembling anabaena, but with filaments usually packed into a 'ball'. It is not related to animals, minerals, or music theory scales.

Explanation

Nostoc is a type of cyanobacteria that forms spherical colonies resembling anabaena, but with filaments usually packed into a 'ball'. It is not related to animals, minerals, or music theory scales.

6. What shape is a coccus bacterium?

Spiral-shaped

Rod-shaped

Spherical shaped

Cube-shaped

A coccus bacterium is typically round or spherical in shape, whereas rod-shaped bacteria are called bacilli, spiral-shaped bacteria are called spirilla, and cube-shaped bacteria do not exist in nature.

Explanation

A coccus bacterium is typically round or spherical in shape, whereas rod-shaped bacteria are called bacilli, spiral-shaped bacteria are called spirilla, and cube-shaped bacteria do not exist in nature.

7. What does the term 'bacillus' refer to in microbiology?

Cuboidal

Spiral

Rod shaped

Spherical

In microbiology, the term 'bacillus' specifically refers to bacteria that are rod-shaped in structure.

Explanation

In microbiology, the term 'bacillus' specifically refers to bacteria that are rod-shaped in structure.

8. What is the shape of a spirillum?

Spirals

Spherical

Cubical

Cylindrical

A spirillum is a type of bacteria that has a spiral shape, hence the correct answer is 'spirals'. The incorrect answers do not accurately describe the shape of a spirillum.

Explanation

A spirillum is a type of bacteria that has a spiral shape, hence the correct answer is 'spirals'. The incorrect answers do not accurately describe the shape of a spirillum.

9. What is a heterocyst?

A type of flower

A type of fungi

A part of the human brain

Specialized cells capable or reducing atmospheric nitrogen

Heterocysts are specialized cells found in some cyanobacteria that are capable of converting atmospheric nitrogen into a form that can be used by the organism.

Explanation

Heterocysts are specialized cells found in some cyanobacteria that are capable of converting atmospheric nitrogen into a form that can be used by the organism.

10. What are akinetes?

A type of bacteria that thrives in moist environments.

A type of fish found in ponds.

A type of algae that blooms in stagnant water.

Highly resistent cells which help the filament survive when the pond dries up

Akinetes are specialized cells produced by certain filamentous cyanobacteria to help them survive adverse conditions like drying up of ponds. They are not a type of fish, algae, or bacteria.

Explanation

Akinetes are specialized cells produced by certain filamentous cyanobacteria to help them survive adverse conditions like drying up of ponds. They are not a type of fish, algae, or bacteria.

11. What is a characteristic of phylum Hepatophyta?

They reproduce through spores released from cones.

They are flowering plants with seeds.

They are commonly found in marine environments.

~liverworts~reproduce asexually by the production of gemmae

Phylum Hepatophyta, commonly known as liverworts, reproduce asexually by the production of gemmae, which are small, lens-shaped structures that can develop into new liverworts. Liverworts are primarily found in damp terrestrial environments and they do not have seeds or cones for reproduction.

Explanation

Phylum Hepatophyta, commonly known as liverworts, reproduce asexually by the production of gemmae, which are small, lens-shaped structures that can develop into new liverworts. Liverworts are primarily found in damp terrestrial environments and they do not have seeds or cones for reproduction.

12. What are gemmae?

1. Types of animal fossils found in sedimentary rocks.

2. Precious stones formed through geological processes.

3. Species of marine algae commonly found in coral reefs.

Gemmae are small reproductive structures found in certain plants, particularly liverworts, where they are involved in asexual reproduction.

Explanation

Gemmae are small reproductive structures found in certain plants, particularly liverworts, where they are involved in asexual reproduction.

13. What are the characteristics of Phylum psilophyta?

Angiosperms with naked seeds

Ferns with specialized leaves called fronds

Gymnosperms with seeds enclosed in a fruit

Psilophyta, or whisk ferns, are unique plants with characteristics such as no leaves or roots, stem branching dichotomously, sporangia near branch tips, and homosporous reproduction.

Explanation

Psilophyta, or whisk ferns, are unique plants with characteristics such as no leaves or roots, stem branching dichotomously, sporangia near branch tips, and homosporous reproduction.