Quiz: Environmental Microbiology

Created on July 14, 2024

The Environmental Microbiology Challenge

Delve into the unseen world where microbes shape our planet. Test your mastery of the microscopic forces that drive ecosystems, remediate pollution, and influence global cycles.

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1. Which type of microbial metabolism is used to treat acid mine drainage?

A. Sulfate reduction

B. Nitrogen fixation

C. Iron oxidation

D. Methanogenesis

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2. Which of the following is an example of a symbiotic relationship between a microbe and a plant?

A. Both a and b

B. Rhizobia

C. Mycorrhizae

D. Neither a nor b

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3. Quorum sensing in bacteria is primarily mediated by:

A. Environmental cues like temperature and pH

B. Signaling molecules called autoinducers

C. Exchange of genetic material

D. Direct physical contact between cells

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4. The concept of ‘rare biosphere’ primarily refers to:

A. Microbes inhabiting extreme environments

B. Microbes with low abundance but high functional significance

C. Microbes resistant to all known antibiotics

D. Microbes exclusively found in marine ecosystems

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5. Which of the following is a major concern associated with antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in the environment?

A. ARGs can be transferred to human pathogens, making infections harder to treat. b) d)

B. ARGs can accumulate in the food chain.

C. ARGs can increase the virulence of environmental microbes.

D. ARGs can directly harm plant growth.

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6. Which of the following is NOT a primary mechanism by which microbes contribute to soil aggregate formation?

A. Exopolysaccharide production

B. Mineral weathering

C. Hyphal entanglement

D. Nitrogen fixation

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7. The primary role of fungi in the biogeochemical cycling of phosphorus is:

A. Fixation of atmospheric phosphorus

B. Immobilization of inorganic phosphorus

C. Solubilization of insoluble phosphorus

D. Mineralization of organic phosphorus

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8. What is the difference between autotrophic and heterotrophic microorganisms?

A. Autotrophs produce their own food, while heterotrophs consume other organisms.

B. Autotrophs use organic carbon, while heterotrophs use inorganic carbon.

C. Autotrophs are found in soil, while heterotrophs are found in water.

D. Autotrophs are bacteria, while heterotrophs are archaea.

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9. Which of the following is NOT a factor that affects the microbial diversity in soil?

A. pH

B. Temperature

C. Moisture content

D. Atmospheric pressure

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10. The concept of ‘microbial dark matter’ refers to:

A. Microbes that thrive in low-light conditions

B. Microbes that are not yet sequenced or characterized

C. Microbes that are resistant to all known cultivation techniques

D. Microbes that are exclusively pathogenic

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11. Which of the following is NOT a common method for identifying microorganisms?

A. Electron microscopy

B. Fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) analysis

C. Gram staining

D. 16S rRNA gene sequencing

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12. What is the role of biofilms in bioremediation?

A. They only play a role in bioremediation in aquatic environments.

B. They have no significant role in bioremediation.

C. They hinder bioremediation by protecting contaminants.

D. They enhance bioremediation by concentrating microbes and nutrients.

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13. What is the difference between sterilization and disinfection?

A. There is no difference; the terms are interchangeable.

B. Sterilization uses heat, while disinfection uses chemicals.

C. Sterilization is used on living tissue, while disinfection is used on inanimate objects.

D. Sterilization kills all microorganisms, while disinfection only reduces their number.

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14. What is the primary electron acceptor in dissimilatory metal reduction?

A. Oxygen

B. Nitrate

C. Sulfate

D. A metal cation (e.g., Fe3+)

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15. What are the three domains of life?

A. Prokaryotes, Eukaryotes, and Viruses

B. Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya

C. Plants, Animals, and Microbes

D. Bacteria, Protists, and Fungi

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16. The rhizosphere is characterized by:

A. Absence of plant-microbe interactions

B. Predominance of anaerobic microorganisms

C. Lower nutrient availability compared to bulk soil

D. Increased microbial activity compared to bulk soil

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17. Which of the following microbial processes is crucial for the removal of nitrogen from wastewater treatment plants?

A. Nitrification

B. Anammox

C. Nitrogen fixation

D. Denitrification

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18. Which of the following bioremediation strategies primarily relies on enhancing the indigenous microbial population to degrade contaminants?

A. Bioaugmentation

B. Bioventing

C. Phytoremediation

D. Biostimulation

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19. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a good indicator organism for fecal contamination in water?

A. Present in the intestines of warm-blooded animals

B. Survives longer than pathogens in the environment

C. Easy to detect and quantify

D. Capable of causing disease in humans

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20. In anaerobic digestion, the conversion of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) to methane is primarily carried out by:

A. Methanogenic archaea

B. Sulfate-reducing bacteria

C. Syntrophic bacteria

D. Acetogenic bacteria

Your score is

The average score is 55%

Author

kanwar

Kanwar Bhan Godara UGC NET JRF Environmental Science
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