Worksheet questions on unit one.

/Microbial Biotechnology/

1. Microbial biotechnology primarily uses microorganisms for:

o A) Genetic modification of plants
o B) Production of industrial and medical products
o C) Enhancing animal breeding
o D) Reducing environmental pollution
2. Secondary metabolites are typically produced during which phase of microbial growth?
o A) Log phase
o B) Lag phase
o C) Stationary phase
o D) Decline phase
3. Which type of cell lacks membrane-bound organelles?
o A) Eukaryotic
o B) Prokaryotic
o C) Both prokaryotic and eukaryotic
o D) None of the above
4. Bacterial cell walls in Gram-positive bacteria are mainly composed of:
o A) Cellulose
o B) Lignin
o C) Peptidoglycan
o D) Pseudopeptidoglycan
5. Which group of microorganisms can use light as an energy source?
o A) Phototrophs
o B) Chemotrophs
o C) Autotrophs
o D) Heterotrophs
6. ATP production through substrate-level phosphorylation primarily occurs during:
o A) Fermentation
o B) Light-dependent reactions
o C) Protein synthesis
o D) DNA replication
7. What role do endospores play in bacterial survival?
o A) Aid in nutrient absorption
o B) Provide resistance to harsh conditions
o C) Increase rate of cell division
o D) Enhance reproduction
8. In binary fission, bacterial cells:
o A) Form spores for reproduction
o B) Divide into two genetically identical cells
o C) Undergo meiosis for diversity
o D) Fuse to form larger cells
9. During the log phase, bacterial cells:
o A) Die off rapidly
o B) Remain dormant
o C) Reproduce and grow exponentially
 o D) Prepare for spore formation
10. Quorum sensing allows bacteria to:
o A) Differentiate into spores
o B) Communicate and coordinate behavior
o C) Absorb light for photosynthesis
o D) Break down complex molecules
11. The primary role of nitrogen-fixing bacteria in agriculture is to:
o A) Produce antibiotics
o B) Enhance soil fertility
o C) Control pest populations
o D) Create new plant varieties
12. Which process is responsible for the anaerobic breakdown of sugars into acids or
alcohol?
o A) Photosynthesis
o B) Fermentation
o C) Nitrogen fixation
o D) Respiration
13. In microbial ecology, an “ecosystem” includes:
o A) Biotic and abiotic factors
o B) Only abiotic factors
o C) Only microbial communities
o D) Host organisms
14. In mutualistic interactions, both organisms:
o A) Compete for resources
o B) Are harmed
o C) Benefit from each other
o D) Remain unaffected
15. Which bacteria are commonly used to produce antibiotics?
o A) Bacillus subtilis
o B) Streptomyces species
o C) Lactobacillus species
o D) Escherichia coli
16. The primary purpose of bioremediation is to:
o A) Treat human diseases
o B) Improve food production
o C) Clean up environmental pollutants
o D) Increase microbial diversity
17. Acidophiles are adapted to grow best in:
o A) Cold environments
o B) Alkaline conditions
o C) Acidic environments
o D) High-salt conditions
18. Microbial biofilms provide benefits such as:
o A) Increased genetic variation
o B) Enhanced resistance to antimicrobials
o C) Faster cell division rates
 o D) Higher nutrient uptake through active transport
19. Which organism is commonly used for ethanol production through fermentation?
o A) Saccharomyces cerevisiae
o B) Bacillus thuringiensis
o C) Pseudomonas fluorescens
o D) Escherichia coli
20. Recombinant DNA technology in vaccine production involves:
o A) Creating synthetic bacteria for immunity
o B) Engineering microbial genomes
o C) Inducing spontaneous mutations in microbes
o D) Using only animal-based cell lines
21. Microbial herbicides are specifically designed to:
o A) Control insect pests
o B) Break down soil minerals
o C) Suppress weed growth
o D) Boost crop photosynthesis
22. Bacteria that perform ammonification contribute to which biogeochemical cycle?
o A) Sulfur cycle
o B) Nitrogen cycle
o C) Phosphorus cycle
o D) Carbon cycle
23. The ability of microbes to use pollutants as nutrients depends on:
o A) Their genetic mutations
o B) Abiotic environmental factors
o C) Symbiotic host organisms
o D) Presence of other microbial species
24. Which type of microbe thrives in hot environments like hot springs?
o A) Mesophile
o B) Thermophile
o C) Psychrophile
o D) Acidophile
25. A microbial community’s resilience to environmental changes is known as:
o A) Symbiosis
o B) Succession
o C) Dynamic equilibrium
o D) Genetic drift
26. Bioleaching is primarily used to:
o A) Fertilize soils
o B) Extract metals from ores
o C) Remove contaminants from water
o D) Enhance soil aeration
27. In SCP production, the primary benefit of single-cell protein is its:
o A) High fat content
o B) High protein content
o C) Low nutritional value
o D) Inability to provide essential nutrients
28. The initial colonizers of a newly exposed habitat are known as:
o A) Pioneer species
o B) Climax species
o C) Decomposers
o D) Parasitic species
29. In competition between microorganisms, some species:
o A) Release antibiotics to inhibit others
o B) Engage in mutualistic behavior
o C) Form biofilms for protection
o D) Share resources equally
30. Which type of organism uses carbon dioxide as a carbon source?
o A) Heterotroph
o B) Autotroph
o C) Chemotroph
o D) Phototroph