Back to notes
What roles do algae play in ecosystems and everyday products?
Press to flip
Algae are photosynthetic organisms producing oxygen, and they are used in everyday products such as ice cream and toothpaste due to their cell wall content of cellulose.
Describe the key differences between eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells.
Eukaryotic cells have true membrane-bound organelles, including a nucleus, while prokaryotic cells do not have membrane-bound organelles.
How are protozoa classified based on their movement?
Protozoa are classified by their movement organelles into those using cilia, flagella, or pseudopods.
Why are viruses considered unique among microorganisms?
Viruses are acellular and are obligate intracellular parasites, meaning they require a host cell to replicate and do not exhibit characteristics of life outside a host.
What are the main characteristics of the domain Eukarya?
Eukarya includes organisms with true membrane-bound organelles, such as plants, animals, and some microorganisms.
What discovery is attributed to Louis Pasteur that changed food preservation techniques?
Louis Pasteur discovered the process of pasteurization, which involves heating liquids to kill spoilage-causing microbes.
What was the significant contribution of Antonie van Leeuwenhoek to microbiology?
He is known as the Father of Microbiology and developed the first microscope, discovering microbes in rainwater.
What structural features differentiate bacteria from viruses?
Bacteria are prokaryotic cells with a cellular structure and can live independently, while viruses are acellular and require a host cell to reproduce.
Describe one example of how microbes are beneficial to humans or the environment.
Microbes are used in the fermentation of food and contribute to oxygen production, playing a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance and food production.
What are Koch's postulates and their significance in microbiology?
Koch's postulates are criteria used to establish a causative relationship between a microbe and a disease, demonstrating that specific microbes can cause specific diseases.
What is the significance of Robert Hooke's observations with a microscope?
Robert Hooke discovered cells in cork, laying the foundation for Cell Theory, though not specifically related to microbes.
How are helminths considered in the study of microbiology despite their large size?
Helminths have a microscopic stage that is often involved in transmission between hosts, making them a subject of microbiological study.
How do Archaea differ from Bacteria, despite both being prokaryotes?
Archaea have distinct biochemical and genetic properties, often living in extreme environments, unlike most Bacteria.
In what ways are fungi different from other microorganisms?
Fungi, such as yeast and molds, have cell walls made of chitin. They can be free-living or pathogenic, and are typically non-motile unlike protozoa.
Explain the concept of binomial nomenclature and its application in naming microorganisms.
Binomial nomenclature uses two names: the Genus (capitalized) and the species (not capitalized). These names must be underlined or italicized, and abbreviations use the Genus initial followed by the species name.
Previous
Next