What is microbiology? - ANSWER The study of living things too small to
be seen without magnification
How do microorganisms (microscopic organisms) exist? - ANSWER As
single cells or cell clusters
What distinguishes microorganisms from animals and plants? -
ANSWER They are unable to live in nature and can exist ONLY as parts
of multicellular organisms.
How have microbes impacted Earth? - ANSWER 1. Shaped the
development of habitats and the evolution of other life forms
2. Ubiquitous - can be found nearly anywhere
3. Play central roles in processes that essential to life
What two processes help microbes with the flow of energy and food
through Earth's ecosystems? - ANSWER 1. Photosynthesis
-- Anoxygenic
-- Oxygenic
** Photosynthetic microorganisms contribute the majority of the oxygen
in the atmosphere.
2. Decomposition and nutrient recycling
How do humans use microorganisms? - ANSWER Examples:
Baker's and brewer's yeast
Cheese production
Moldy bread on wounds
1. Biotechnology
-- Making products in an industrial setting
2. Genetic engineering
-- Creating GMOs
, 3. Bioremediation
-- Introducing microbes into environment to restore stability or clean up
toxic pollutants
How can microbes be classified? - ANSWER Bacteria and Archaea
(prokaryotes)
Fungi
Protozoa
Algae
Other
-- Parasitic worms (helminths)
-- Viruses (nonliving)
Compare and contrast the prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells of
microorganisms - ANSWER Similarities: Cell membrane, ribosome,
cytoplasm
Differences: Eukaryote has more organelles including a nucleus;
prokaryote has no nucleus, a cell wall, and a nucleoid
What is the difference between the cell walls of bacteria and archaea? -
ANSWER Bacteria cell walls contain peptidoglycan
Archaea cell walls are composed of polymers
What is so unique about the living conditions of archaea? - ANSWER
They are found in extreme environments such as the cold Antarctic ice,
the salty Dead Sea, the dry deserts, etc.
How are fungi (single-celled or filamentous) ecologically important? -
ANSWER They obtain nutrients by breaking down organic (C & H2)
matter
What do the cell walls of fungi NOT possess? - ANSWER Peptidoglycan
Molds - ANSWER Typically multicellular
Have hyphae
Reproduce by sexual and asexual spores
Yeasts - ANSWER Unicellular
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