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

A. ARGs can accumulate in the food chain.

B. ARGs can directly harm plant growth.

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

D. ARGs can increase the virulence of environmental microbes.

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

A. Solubilization of insoluble phosphorus

B. Mineralization of organic phosphorus

C. Immobilization of inorganic phosphorus

D. Fixation of atmospheric phosphorus

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

A. Biostimulation

B. Bioaugmentation

C. Bioventing

D. Phytoremediation

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

A. Nitrogen fixation

B. Nitrification

C. Anammox

D. Denitrification

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

A. Fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) analysis

B. 16S rRNA gene sequencing

C. Gram staining

D. Electron microscopy

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6. 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 exclusively pathogenic

D. Microbes that are resistant to all known cultivation techniques

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

A. Both a and b

B. Mycorrhizae

C. Rhizobia

D. Neither a nor b

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8. What is the difference between sterilization and disinfection?

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

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

C. Sterilization uses heat, while disinfection uses chemicals.

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

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9. Quorum sensing in bacteria is primarily mediated by:

A. Exchange of genetic material

B. Signaling molecules called autoinducers

C. Environmental cues like temperature and pH

D. Direct physical contact between cells

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

A. pH

B. Moisture content

C. Atmospheric pressure

D. Temperature

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

A. Nitrate

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

C. Sulfate

D. Oxygen

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

A. Syntrophic bacteria

B. Methanogenic archaea

C. Sulfate-reducing bacteria

D. Acetogenic bacteria

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

A. Microbes resistant to all known antibiotics

B. Microbes inhabiting extreme environments

C. Microbes with low abundance but high functional significance

D. Microbes exclusively found in marine ecosystems

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14. The rhizosphere is characterized by:

A. Lower nutrient availability compared to bulk soil

B. Predominance of anaerobic microorganisms

C. Absence of plant-microbe interactions

D. Increased microbial activity compared to bulk soil

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

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

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

C. Autotrophs are bacteria, while heterotrophs are archaea.

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

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

A. Mineral weathering

B. Exopolysaccharide production

C. Nitrogen fixation

D. Hyphal entanglement

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17. What are the three domains of life?

A. Plants, Animals, and Microbes

B. Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya

C. Prokaryotes, Eukaryotes, and Viruses

D. Bacteria, Protists, and Fungi

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

A. Sulfate reduction

B. Nitrogen fixation

C. Methanogenesis

D. Iron oxidation

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19. What is the role of biofilms in bioremediation?

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

B. They hinder bioremediation by protecting contaminants.

C. They have no significant role in bioremediation.

D. They enhance bioremediation by concentrating microbes and nutrients.

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

A. Survives longer than pathogens in the environment

B. Capable of causing disease in humans

C. Easy to detect and quantify

D. Present in the intestines of warm-blooded animals

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The average score is 50%

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kanwar

Kanwar Bhan Godara UGC NET JRF Environmental Science
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