Microbiology Multiple Choice Questions on “Distribution and Techniques for the Study of Aquatic Microorganisms”.
1. Protozoa and other minute animal life are known as ____________________
A. plankton
B. phytoplankton
C. zooplankton
D. mycoplankton
Answer: C
Clarification: The aggregation of floating and drifting microbial life in the surface region of the aquatic ecosystem is called plankton. Protozoa and other minute animal life are known as zooplankton.
2. Microbial inhabitants of the bottom region of a body of water are referred to as ________________
A. phytoplankton
B. benthic organisms
C. zooplankton
D. mycoplankton
Answer: B
Clarification: Microbial inhabitants of the bottom region of a body of water are referred to as the benthic organisms. The richest region of an aquatic system in terms of numbers and kinds of organisms is the benthic region.
3. Phytoplanktonic organisms are non-motile.
A. True
B. False
Answer: B
Clarification: Most phytoplanktonic organisms are motile, possess some structural features or contain oil droplets which give them buoyancy.
4. Which of the following places shows the presence of Geothermal vents?
A. Coasts of California
B. Coasts of Peru
C. Galapagos islands
D. Pacific ocean
Answer: C
Clarification: It has been calculated that geothermal vents such as the one near the Galapagos Islands account for most of the nutrients dissolved in the oceans of the world.
5. Large spiraling surface currents in the ocean that tend to aggregate and retain nutrients are known as _______________
A. benthic region
B. upwelling
C. geothermal vents
D. gyres
Answer: D
Clarification: Gyres are large spiraling surface currents in the ocean that tend to aggregate and retain nutrients, wastes, and microorganisms. Gyres have only been appreciated in recent years, through the use of satellite imagery.
6. Most aquatic microorganisms can grow on the usual laboratory media.
A. True
B. False
Answer: B
Clarification: Many aquatic microorganisms will not grow on the usual laboratory media such as nutrient agar or nutrient broth and consequently, cannot be isolated.
7. Which of the following techniques is used for identification and enumeration of algae, bacteria, protozoa?
A. Microscopic examination
B. Submerged-slide technique
C. Membrane-filter technique
D. Enrichment-culture technique
Answer: A
Clarification: Microscopic examination for identification and enumeration of algae, bacteria, protozoa, and many fungi is carried out.
8. Which of the following techniques can be used to separate different-size fractions of the aquatic microbial community?
A. submerged-slide technique
B. fluorescent antibody technique
C. membrane-filter technique
D. by measuring biochemical activity
Answer: C
Clarification: Membrane-filter technique is applicable for the examination and cultivation of many bacteria from the aquatic environments. It can also be used to separate different-size fractions of the aquatic microbial community.
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