Deck 26: Environmental Microbiology Online Only

Question 1

Using your knowledge of environmental microbiology, consider each characteristic and the three possible choices below. In the space, place the letter or letters of the most appropriate choice(s).
Used as markers for oil drilling _____

A) Bacteriophages
B) Radiolarians
C) Foraminifera

Answer 1

A bacteriophage is defined as the virus which infects a bacterium and proliferates and grows inside that host bacterium. These are comprises of a protein coat which encapsulate a RNA (ribonucleic acid) or a DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) genome or a genetic material. These bacteriophages are not used a marker for the oil drilling process.
Hence, option A is incorrect.
Radiolarians are the protozoa having a mineral skeleton which divides it into ectoplasm and an endoplasm. They are important fossil and can be used as a marker for identifying the oil. Some of the examples of radiolarians are Actinomma, hexadoridium, and Heliosphaera. They are also used in geological dating and to know the ancient climates.
Foraminifera are the amoeboid protists that have ectoplasm which consists of granules. These are used in oil drilling and oil exploration programmes. Oil industries are very much dependent on these types of microbes which can find out the exact position where the oil is found.
Hence, the correct answer is options
.

Question 2

Identify three ways that water can be tested for indicator organism contamination. ( Key Concept 2 )

Answer 2

There are various methods which include the indicator microbes that are applied to test and analyze the bacteria in the contaminated water. One of the most common indicator microorganisms is the Coliform bacteria. The three methods that are used to know the indicator organism for the contamination of water are described one by one.
Membrane filter test : It is simple and can be used easily in the microbiology lab. In this technique, 100 mL (millimeter) sample contaminated water is taken in a specially designed bottle. Then this water is passed through a membrane filter and then this filter is put into a medium to grow bacteria. The bacteria form colonies and by simply counting the number of colonies, one can easily know the number of bacteria in sample water.
Standard plate count : The sample of contaminated water is first diluted with the buffer solution and then transferred to plates where culturing is to be done. These plates consist of agar medium and then these plates are incubated. The number of colonies multiplied by the inverse of dilution factor gives the overall bacterial cells in 1 mL (milliliters).
In Most probable number technique, lactose broth is taken in 10 mL, 0.1 mL, and 1 mL in which contaminated water is added then. The formation of coliform bacteria is calculated by the formation of bacteria. By making a table, one can easily see that how many broth tubes releases the carbon dioxide.

Question 3

Using your knowledge of environmental microbiology, consider each characteristic and the three possible choices below. In the space, place the letter or letters of the most appropriate choice(s).
Waterborne microbial disease(s) _____

A) Hepatitis A
B) Amoebiasis
C) Hepatitis B

Answer 3

Water borne diseases are those diseases that are transmitted by the contaminated water. There are many diseases that can be transmitted by the contaminated water. This contaminated water affects the intestine of the organisms, so include intestinal diseases like cholera, typhoid, shigellosis, and many others. These diseases are caused by some genera of the microorganism which include Yersinia, Legionella, E. coli, Vibrio, Giardia, Entamoeba, Cryptosporidium, and Campylobacter.
Some bacteria like Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae cause wound infection like erysipleoid , and Mycobacterium marinum cause granuloma when the injured tissue is contacted with the sea water. There are also some viral infections that are caused by contaminated water which include hepatitis A, gastroenteritis, rotavirus disease, and many others.
The causative agent of Hepatitis B is HBV (Hepatitis B Virus). This virus is transmitted from one person to another person through body fluids or the blood. HBV virus can cause both chronic and acute infections. This disease can be prevented by vaccination.
Hence, option C is incorrect.
Amoebiasis is the disease that is caused by Entamoeba histolytica. The causative agent of Hepatitis A is HAV (Hepatitis A virus). These both diseases are transmitted by the contaminated food or drinking water from an infected person.
Hence, the correct answers are options
and
.

Question 4

Summarize the carbon cycle and identify the role of microorganisms in the cycle. ( Key Concept 3 )

Question 5

Using your knowledge of environmental microbiology, consider each characteristic and the three possible choices below. In the space, place the letter or letters of the most appropriate choice(s).
Step(s) in water purification _____

A) Filtration
B) Chlorination
C) Sedimentation

Question 6

Describe how microorganisms affect the sulfur cycle. ( Key Concept 3 )

Question 7

Explain why pathogens tend to be found in polluted water.
b. Identify the three forms of water pollution and describe how they differ.
c. Summarize the types of infections caused by marine microorganisms.

Question 8

Using your knowledge of environmental microbiology, consider each characteristic and the three possible choices below. In the space, place the letter or letters of the most appropriate choice(s).
Found in polluted water _____

A) Proteus species
B) E. coli
C) HIV

Question 9

Assess the critical role of microorganisms to the nitrogen cycle. ( Key Concept 3 )

Question 10

Which one of the following would be considered a coliform

A) Pseudomonas
B) Proteus
C) Enterobacter
D) Streptococcus

Question 11

Using your knowledge of environmental microbiology, consider each characteristic and the three possible choices below. In the space, place the letter or letters of the most appropriate choice(s).
Test(s) for oxygen consumption in water _____

A) SPC
B) BOD
C) MPN

Question 12

In August 1989, two men were tragically killed while working in an industrial septic tank during cleaning. The cause of death was listed as methane poisoning. What was the source of the methane, and how was it related to the septic tank

Question 13

Assess the need for three steps in water purification.
b. Summarize the steps in the treatment of sewage.
c. Assess the positive and negative effects of biofilms.
d. Describe the three lab tests for water quality.

Question 14

Using your knowledge of environmental microbiology, consider each characteristic and the three possible choices below. In the space, place the letter or letters of the most appropriate choice(s).
Type(s) of pollution when microorganisms are present _____

A) Biological
B) Physical
C) Chemical

Question 15

You decide to build a new home in the country and you have the choice of installing a cesspool or a septic tank. Which might you be inclined to choose Why

Question 16

Chemical pollution in water would include all the following except _____.

A) pesticides
B) particulate matter
C) phosphates
D) nitrates

Question 17

Using your knowledge of environmental microbiology, consider each characteristic and the three possible choices below. In the space, place the letter or letters of the most appropriate choice(s).
Toxin-producing dinoflagellate(s) _____

A) Entamoeba
B) Gambierdiscus
C) Gonyaulax

Question 18

When sewers were constructed in New York City in the early 1900s, engineers decided to join storm sewers carrying water from the streets together with sanitary sewers bringing waste from the homes. The result was one gigantic sewer system. In retrospect, was this a good idea Why

Question 19

Identify the role of microorganisms in the carbon cycle.
b. Identify the role of microorganisms in the sulfur cycle.
c. Identify the role of microorganisms in the nitrogen cycle.

Question 20

Using your knowledge of environmental microbiology, consider each characteristic and the three possible choices below. In the space, place the letter or letters of the most appropriate choice(s).
Needed to perform the standard plate count _____

A) Culture dishes
B) Pipettes
C) Agar medium

Question 21

The victims of disease, both animals and people, are buried underground, yet the soil is generally free of pathogenic organisms. Why

Question 22

Intestinal diseases transmitted in water include all the following except _____.

A) cholera
B) typhoid fever
C) giardiasis
D) tetanus

Question 23

Using your knowledge of environmental microbiology, consider each characteristic and the three possible choices below. In the space, place the letter or letters of the most appropriate choice(s).
Found in anaerobic mud at lake bottom _____

A) Giardia
B) Diatoms
C) Clostridium

Question 24

What information might you offer to dispute the following four adages common among campers and hikers
(1) Water in streams is safe to drink if there are no humans or large animals upstream.
(2) Melted ice and snow is safer than running water.
(3) Water gurgling directly out of the ground or running out from behind rocks is safe to drink.
(4) Rapidly moving water is germ free.

Question 25

During water purification, the jelly-like masses of coagulated material are called _____.

A) sediments
B) flocs
C) schmutzdecke
D) sludge

Question 26

Using your knowledge of environmental microbiology, consider each characteristic and the three possible choices below. In the space, place the letter or letters of the most appropriate choice(s).
Function(s) in nitrogen cycle _____

A) Thiobacillus
B) Nitrobacter
C) Thiothrix

Question 27

Some years ago, the syndicated columnist Erma Bombeck wrote a humorous book entitled "The Grass Is Always Greener Over the Septic Tank." (The title was an adaptation of the expression "The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.") Indeed, the grass is often greener over the septic tank. Why is this so

Question 28

Planktonic bacteria are _____.

A) individual and independent cells
B) pathogens in open marine waters
C) immobilized cells
D) the cells in a biofilm

Question 29

Evaluate the microbiological differences between unpolluted and polluted water. ( Key Concept 1 )

Question 30

The author of a biology textbook writes: "Because the microorganisms are not observed as easily as the plants and animals, we tend to forget about them, or to think only of the harmful ones... and thus overlook the others, many of which are indispensable to our continued existence." How do the carbon, sulfur, and nitrogen cycles support this outlook

Question 31

Which one of the following is critical to the recycling of carbon

A) Photosynthetic microorganisms
B) Decomposers
C) Green plants
D) All the above ( A-C ) are important.

Question 32

Assess the importance of the biological oxygen demand ( BOD ) when measuring polluted water. ( Key Concept 1 )

Question 33

Anaerobic microbes important to the sulfur cycle include all the following except _____.

A) Desulfovibrio
B) Rhizobium
C) Thiobacillus
D) Thiothrix

Question 34

Identify several intestinal diseases and wound infections transmitted by contaminated water. ( Key Concept 1 )

Question 35

_____ is a genus that carries out nitrogen fixation, which is the conversion of _______________.

A) Rhizobium; nitrite to nitrate
B) Nitrosomonas; nitrate to nitrite
C) Nitrobacter; nitrate to nitrogen gas
D) Rhizobium; nitrogen gas into ammonia

Question 36

Summarize the three sequential steps for water purification. ( Key Concept 2 )

Question 37

Using your knowledge of environmental microbiology, consider each characteristic and the three possible choices below. In the space, place the letter or letters of the most appropriate choice(s).
Genus (genera) of coliform bacteria _____

A) Escherichia
B) Staphylococcus
C) Enterobacter

Question 38

Discuss what happens in each step of sewage treatment. ( Key Concept 2 )

Question 39

Using your knowledge of environmental microbiology, consider each characteristic and the three possible choices below. In the space, place the letter or letters of the most appropriate choice(s).
Where halophilic bacteria live _____

A) Lake
B) Ocean
C) Mountain stream

Question 40

Describe biofilms and how these organisms differ from planktonic forms. ( Key Concept 2 )