How Well Do You Know About Microbiology? Quiz
Some people know a lot about microorganisms, but sometimes cant tells facts when asked a question about the different species that exist. How well do you know about microbiology? The quiz below is designed to see if you have what it takes to be a super microbiologist. Do give it a shot and share it with others to know where you stand in comparison.
Questions and Answers
- 1.
Most bacteria reproduce by
- A.
Sexual reproduction
- B.
Binary fission
- C.
Budding
- D.
Homologous recombination
Correct Answer
B. Binary fissionExplanation
Binary fission is the correct answer because it is the most common method of bacterial reproduction. In binary fission, a single bacterium divides into two identical daughter cells. This process allows bacteria to rapidly increase in number and is a key factor in their ability to colonize and survive in various environments. Sexual reproduction, budding, and homologous recombination are not as common in bacteria as binary fission.Rate this question:
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- 2.
Microbial growth
- A.
Refers to the increase in the size of a microbial cell
- B.
Refers to the increase in the frequency of cell division
- C.
In a single generation's time leads to double the cell size
- D.
In a single generation's time leads to double the number of microbes
Correct Answer
D. In a single generation's time leads to double the number of microbesExplanation
Microbial growth refers to the increase in the number of microbes in a population over time. In a single generation's time, the number of microbes doubles because each microbe undergoes cell division, resulting in the formation of two new microbes. This exponential increase in the number of microbes is a characteristic feature of microbial growth. The increase in cell size or frequency of cell division may also occur during microbial growth, but the primary outcome is the doubling of the microbial population.Rate this question:
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- 3.
Serial dilutions are used to
- A.
Slow down the growth of microbes
- B.
Speed up the growth of microbes
- C.
Obtain bacterial cultures at several different concentrations
- D.
Form bacterial colonies
Correct Answer
C. Obtain bacterial cultures at several different concentrationsExplanation
Serial dilutions are a technique used to obtain bacterial cultures at several different concentrations. This is achieved by diluting a sample multiple times, with each dilution resulting in a lower concentration of bacteria. By performing serial dilutions, scientists can create a range of bacterial cultures with varying concentrations, allowing for more accurate and controlled experiments. This method is commonly used in microbiology and other fields that require precise control over bacterial concentrations.Rate this question:
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- 4.
Turbidity in a bacterial culture can be measured using a/n
- A.
Incubator
- B.
Colony county
- C.
Spectrophotometer
- D.
Chemostat
Correct Answer
C. SpectrophotometerExplanation
Turbidity in a bacterial culture refers to the cloudiness or haziness of the culture, which is caused by the presence of suspended particles. A spectrophotometer can be used to measure turbidity by passing light through the culture and measuring the amount of light that is scattered or absorbed by the particles. The higher the turbidity, the more light is scattered or absorbed, resulting in a higher reading on the spectrophotometer. Therefore, a spectrophotometer is an appropriate instrument to measure turbidity in a bacterial culture.Rate this question:
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- 5.
Acidophiles would be expected to grow best at a pH of
- A.
3
- B.
6
- C.
9
- D.
12
Correct Answer
A. 3Explanation
Acidophiles are microorganisms that thrive in acidic environments. They have adapted to survive and grow in low pH conditions. Therefore, it would be expected that acidophiles would grow best at a pH of 3, which is highly acidic. A pH of 6, 9, or 12 would be less suitable for acidophiles as they prefer more acidic conditions for optimal growth.Rate this question:
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- 6.
Most human pathogens are
- A.
Psychrophiles
- B.
Mesophiles
- C.
Thermophiles
- D.
Acidophiles
Correct Answer
B. MesophilesExplanation
Mesophiles are the correct answer because they are organisms that thrive in moderate temperature ranges, typically between 20°C and 45°C. Most human pathogens fall under this category as they are adapted to the average human body temperature of around 37°C. Psychrophiles are adapted to cold temperatures, thermophiles to high temperatures, and acidophiles to acidic environments. However, mesophiles are better suited to the conditions found in the human body, making them more likely to be human pathogens.Rate this question:
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- 7.
Which of the following types of organisms would be most likely to have evolved to live in the large intestine, where there is a complete lack of free oxygen?
- A.
Obligate aerobe
- B.
Obligate anaerobe
- C.
Facultative anaerobe
- D.
Aerotolerant anaerobe
Correct Answer
B. Obligate anaerobeExplanation
An obligate anaerobe would be the most likely type of organism to have evolved to live in the large intestine, where there is a complete lack of free oxygen. Obligate anaerobes are organisms that cannot survive in the presence of oxygen and can only live in environments without oxygen. The large intestine is an anaerobic environment due to the absence of oxygen, making it suitable for obligate anaerobes to thrive.Rate this question:
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- 8.
Which type of cell will generally shift to aerobic metabolism when oxygen is available but will carry on fermentation otherwise?
- A.
Aerotolerant anaerobes
- B.
Facultative anaerobes
- C.
Obligate anaerobes
- D.
Obligate aerobes
Correct Answer
B. Facultative anaerobesExplanation
Facultative anaerobes are able to switch between aerobic metabolism (using oxygen) and fermentation (without oxygen) depending on the availability of oxygen. When oxygen is available, facultative anaerobes will preferentially use aerobic metabolism to generate energy. However, in the absence of oxygen, they can still carry out fermentation to produce energy. This ability allows them to survive in both aerobic and anaerobic environments, making them versatile and adaptable to different conditions.Rate this question:
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- 9.
When cells are placed in a hypertonic environment they will undergo
- A.
Lysis
- B.
No change in size
- C.
Swelling of the cell which is contained by the cell wall
- D.
Plasmolysis
Correct Answer
D. PlasmolysisExplanation
When cells are placed in a hypertonic environment, water will move out of the cells due to the higher solute concentration outside the cell. This causes the cells to shrink and lose their turgidity. Plasmolysis is the process in which the plasma membrane of the cell pulls away from the cell wall due to the loss of water, resulting in the cell shrinking and becoming flaccid. Therefore, plasmolysis is the correct answer as it accurately describes the response of cells in a hypertonic environment.Rate this question:
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- 10.
Sporulation occurs in gram positive bacilli, an example of it is
- A.
Bacillus cereus
- B.
Staphylococcus aureus
- C.
Klebsiella pneumoniae
- D.
Citrobacter sp.
Correct Answer
A. Bacillus cereusExplanation
Sporulation is a process in which certain bacteria form spores as a means of survival in unfavorable conditions. Gram positive bacilli, such as Bacillus cereus, are known to undergo sporulation. Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Citrobacter sp. are not gram positive bacilli, so they do not undergo sporulation. Therefore, the correct answer is Bacillus cereus.Rate this question:
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- 11.
Endospores are
- A.
Metabolically active
- B.
Reproductive structures
- C.
Found mostly in Gram negative organisms
- D.
Protective structures
Correct Answer
D. Protective structuresExplanation
Endospores are protective structures formed by certain bacteria in response to unfavorable conditions. These structures are highly resistant to heat, radiation, chemicals, and desiccation, allowing the bacteria to survive in harsh environments. Endospores are not metabolically active or reproductive structures, as they are dormant and do not carry out any metabolic or reproductive processes. While they can be found in some Gram-negative organisms, they are more commonly associated with Gram-positive bacteria.Rate this question:
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- 12.
Sporulation usually occurs in response to
- A.
A decrease in the level of carbon or nitrogen
- B.
An increase in temperature
- C.
A decrease in the amount of water
- D.
An increase in ultraviolet radiation
Correct Answer
A. A decrease in the level of carbon or nitrogenExplanation
Sporulation is the process by which certain bacteria and fungi produce spores as a means of survival. These spores are resistant to harsh environmental conditions and can remain dormant until favorable conditions return. Sporulation usually occurs in response to a decrease in the level of carbon or nitrogen, which are essential nutrients for the growth and reproduction of microorganisms. When the availability of these nutrients decreases, microorganisms enter a dormant state by forming spores, allowing them to conserve energy and survive until more favorable conditions arise.Rate this question:
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- 13.
A candle jar would be used for growing
- A.
Gram negative organisms
- B.
Fastidious organisms
- C.
Thermophiles
- D.
Anaerobes
Correct Answer
D. AnaerobesExplanation
A candle jar would be used for growing anaerobes because it creates an anaerobic environment by removing oxygen and replacing it with carbon dioxide. Anaerobes are organisms that can only survive and grow in the absence of oxygen, so the candle jar provides the ideal conditions for their growth.Rate this question:
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- 14.
Sporulation is the production of spore and occurs in gram+ organisms. Triggers are ph, temperature, concentration of enzyme
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
B. FalseExplanation
The statement is false because sporulation does not occur only in gram+ organisms. It can occur in both gram+ and gram- organisms. Additionally, the triggers for sporulation are not limited to pH, temperature, and concentration of enzyme. Other factors such as nutrient availability and environmental conditions can also play a role in triggering sporulation.Rate this question:
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- 15.
Bacterial growth in colonies on agar plates
- A.
Have all phases of growth occurring simultaneously somewhere in the colony
- B.
Most growth occurs at the center of the colony
- C.
Involves budding of small new colonies from the surface of an existing colony
- D.
Have lag phase cells in the center of the colony, surrounded by a ring of cells in exponential phase
Correct Answer
A. Have all phases of growth occurring simultaneously somewhere in the colonyExplanation
The correct answer is that bacterial growth in colonies on agar plates have all phases of growth occurring simultaneously somewhere in the colony. This means that within a single colony, there can be bacteria in different stages of growth, including lag phase, exponential phase, stationary phase, and death phase. This is because bacteria within a colony can experience different environmental conditions and nutrient availability, leading to variations in growth rates and phases. Therefore, all phases of growth can be observed in different regions or cells within the colony.Rate this question:
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- 16.
An obligate psychrophile would produce a turbin culture at ___________degrees Celcius
- A.
10
- B.
30
- C.
45
- D.
60
Correct Answer
A. 10Explanation
An obligate psychrophile is a type of organism that thrives in extremely cold temperatures. They are adapted to survive and reproduce in cold environments. Therefore, it would produce a turbid culture at a temperature of 10 degrees Celsius, as this is within the range of temperatures that they can tolerate and grow in.Rate this question:
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- 17.
When a bacterial cell divides into two new cells, the new cells are called
- A.
Daughter cells
- B.
Sister cells
- C.
Son cells
- D.
Father cells
Correct Answer
A. Daughter cellsExplanation
When a bacterial cell divides, it undergoes a process called binary fission. In this process, the parent cell divides into two identical daughter cells. These daughter cells are genetically identical to each other and to the parent cell. Therefore, the correct answer is "daughter cells".Rate this question:
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- 18.
The toxic effects of the byproducts of oxygen metabolism are mitigated by which of the following?
- A.
Catalase
- B.
Superoxide dismutase
- C.
Lactase
- D.
Two of the above
Correct Answer
D. Two of the aboveExplanation
The toxic effects of the byproducts of oxygen metabolism, such as reactive oxygen species (ROS), are mitigated by enzymes like catalase and superoxide dismutase. Catalase helps convert hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen, while superoxide dismutase converts superoxide radicals into hydrogen peroxide and oxygen. Both enzymes play important roles in neutralizing ROS and preventing oxidative damage to cells. Therefore, the correct answer is "two of the above" as both catalase and superoxide dismutase help mitigate the toxic effects of oxygen metabolism byproducts.Rate this question:
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- 19.
Where would you expect to find a barophile
- A.
At the bottom of a lake
- B.
In unpasteurized milk
- C.
In the large intestine
- D.
In sewage
Correct Answer
A. At the bottom of a lakeExplanation
Barophiles are organisms that thrive under high pressure conditions. The bottom of a lake is an environment where the pressure increases with depth due to the weight of the water above. Therefore, it is a suitable habitat for barophiles as they can withstand and even require high pressure conditions for survival.Rate this question:
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- 20.
A culture that contains only a single species of organism is known as a
- A.
Pure culture
- B.
Koch culture
- C.
Mixed culture
- D.
Contaminated culture
Correct Answer
A. Pure cultureExplanation
A culture that contains only a single species of organism is known as a pure culture. In a pure culture, there is no presence of any other species or contaminants. This is important in microbiology and other scientific fields as it allows researchers to study and understand the characteristics, growth, and behavior of a specific organism without any interference or influence from other organisms. Pure cultures are often used in experiments, research, and industrial processes to obtain accurate and reliable results.Rate this question:
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Our quizzes are rigorously reviewed, monitored and continuously updated by our expert board to maintain accuracy, relevance, and timeliness.
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Current Version
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Mar 22, 2023Quiz Edited by
ProProfs Editorial Team -
Jul 06, 2012Quiz Created by
Dindiam
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