Textbook Question
Show where airborne microbes ended up in Pasteur’s experiment.
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Ch. 1 - The Microbial World and You
Tortora14th EditionMicrobiology: An IntroductionISBN: 9780138200398
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Table of contents
- Ch. 1 - The Microbial World and You18
- Ch. 2 - Chemical Principles20
- Ch. 3 - Observing Microorganisms Through a Microscope18
- Ch. 4 - Functional Anatomy of Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells21
- Ch. 5 - Microbial Metabolism20
- Ch. 6 - Microbial Growth20
- Ch. 7 - The Control of Microbial Growth20
- Ch. 8 - Microbial Genetics19
- Ch. 9 - Biotechnology & DNA Technology20
- Ch. 10 - Classification of Microorganisms15
- Ch. 11 - The Prokaryotes: Domains Bacteria and Archaea14
- Ch. 12 - The Eukaryotes: Fungi, Algae, Protozoa, and Helminths17
- Ch. 13 - Viruses, Viroids, and Prions20
- Ch. 14 - Principles of Disease and Epidemiology21
- Ch. 15 - Microbial Mechanisms of Pathogenicity19
- Ch. 16 - Innate Immunity: Nonspecific Defenses of the Host20
- Ch. 17 - Adaptive Immunity: Specific Defenses of the Host20
- Ch. 18 - Practical Applications of Immunology20
- Ch. 19 - Disorders Associated with the Immune System19
- Ch. 20 - Antimicrobial Drugs19
- Ch. 21 - Microbial Diseases of the Skin and Eyes21
- Ch. 22 - Microbial Diseases of the Nervous System19
- Ch. 23 - Microbial Diseases of the Cardiovascular and Lymphatic Systems20
- Ch. 24 - Microbial Diseases of the Respiratory System20
- Ch. 25 - Microbial Diseases of the Digestive System20
- Ch. 26 - Microbial Diseases of the Urinary and Reproductive Systems19
- Ch. 27 - Environmental Microbiology20
- Ch. 28 - Applied and Industrial Microbiology19
Tortora14th EditionMicrobiology: An IntroductionISBN: 9780138200398Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 1, Problem 8
Which of the following is an example of bioremediation?
a. Application of oil-degrading bacteria to an oil spill
b. Application of bacteria to a crop to prevent frost damage
c. Fixation of gaseous nitrogen into usable nitrogen
d. Production by bacteria of a human protein such as interferon
e. All of the above
Verified step by step guidance1
Step 1: Understand the definition of bioremediation. Bioremediation is the process of using microorganisms, such as bacteria, to remove or neutralize pollutants from a contaminated site, restoring the environment to a cleaner state.
Step 2: Analyze each option to see if it fits the definition of bioremediation. Option (a) involves applying oil-degrading bacteria to an oil spill, which directly uses bacteria to clean up a pollutant.
Step 3: Evaluate option (b), which is applying bacteria to a crop to prevent frost damage. This is more related to plant protection or agriculture, not pollutant removal.
Step 4: Consider option (c), fixation of gaseous nitrogen into usable nitrogen. This is a natural biological process important for nutrient cycling but not specifically for cleaning pollutants.
Step 5: Review option (d), production by bacteria of a human protein such as interferon. This is an example of genetic engineering or biotechnology, not bioremediation.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Bioremediation
Bioremediation is the use of living organisms, especially microbes, to remove or neutralize pollutants from a contaminated site. It often involves bacteria that can degrade harmful substances like oil, heavy metals, or pesticides, making the environment cleaner and safer.
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Environmental Benefits of Microorganisms
Nitrogen Fixation
Nitrogen fixation is a biological process where certain bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen gas (N2) into ammonia (NH3), a form usable by plants. This natural process enriches soil fertility and supports plant growth but is distinct from pollutant degradation.
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Microbial Biotechnology Applications
Microbial biotechnology involves using bacteria for beneficial purposes such as producing human proteins (e.g., interferon) or protecting crops. These applications improve health and agriculture but do not directly involve cleaning environmental pollutants.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question
What type of microorganism has a peptidoglycan cell wall, has DNA that is not contained in a nucleus, and has flagella?
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Textbook Question
Spallanzani’s conclusion about spontaneous generation was challenged because Antoine Lavoisier had just shown that oxygen was the vital component of air. Which of the following statements is true?
a. All life requires air.
b. Only disease-causing organisms require air.
c. Some microbes do not require air.
d. Pasteur kept air out of his biogenesis experiments.
e. Lavoisier was mistaken.
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Textbook Question
It is possible to purchase the following microorganisms in a retail store. Provide a reason for buying each.
a. Bacillus thuringiensis
b. Saccharomyces
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Textbook Question
Which of the following statements about E. coli is false?
a. E. coli was the first disease-causing bacterium identified by Koch.
b. E. coli is part of the normal microbiome of humans.
c. E. coli is beneficial in human intestines.
d. E. coli gets nutrients from intestinal contents.
e. None of the above; all the statements are true.
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Textbook Question
It has been said that bacteria are essential for the existence of life on Earth. Which of the following is the essential function performed by bacteria?
a. Control insect populations
b. Directly provide food for humans
c. Decompose organic material and recycle elements
d. Cause disease
e. Produce human hormones such as insulin
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