What are the features a prokaryotic cell?
What type of genome do bacterial and archaeal organisms have?
Know the different types of horizontal gene transfer and be able to define them.
Know the different types of metabolism that bacteria and archaea can use and be able to identify if an organism is an autotroph, chemotroph, chemoautotroph, potoheterotroph, photoautotroph from a description.
What is the difference between oxygenic and anoxygenic photosynthesis?
What are oxidation/reduction reactions?
What are the geochemical cycles that bacteria and archaea are involved in?
Why are archaea often called extremophiles? What kind of environments can they live in?
What is the human biome?
What are the features a prokaryotic cell?
What type of genome do bacterial and archaeal organisms have?
Know the different types of horizontal gene transfer and be able to define them.
Know the different types of metabolism that bacteria and archaea can use and be able to identify if an organism is an autotroph, chemotroph, chemoautotroph, potoheterotroph, photoautotroph from a description.
What is the difference between oxygenic and anoxygenic photosynthesis?
What are oxidation/reduction reactions?
What are the geochemical cycles that bacteria and archaea are involved in?
Why are archaea often called extremophiles? What kind of environments can they live in?
What is the human biome?
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I need help on this microbiology question:
Contrary to our favorite science fiction books and movies, the chances of us finding another planet with a civilization comparable to, or even more advanced than our own, seems highly unlikely. But, through your work as a microbiologist at NASA, you have been able to help change our views as to what forms of life we should be looking for on planets in our solar system and around neighboring stars. Instead of radio signals or errant transmissions, we have begun looking for planets that have environments similar to those capable of sustaining life as we know it here on Earth. To determine what we could find out there, you have begun studying different unique and atypical environments found here on Earth. Although the harsh conditions of hot springs or undersea sulfur vents seem incompatible with most forms of life, organisms known collectively as "extremophiles" have still managed to survive and adapt to these extreme conditions. You believe extremophiles may help you gain insight into the potential metabolic requirements, processes, and challenges of extraterrestrial life. Thus far in your search, you have identified some prokaryotic cells that have evolved to survive in the extreme conditions of sulfur vents on the sea floor. These vents are found at great depths, where the crushing pressure and lack of light and oxygen are prohibitive to many forms of life. Bacteria that are not considered extremophiles reside in most ecological niches on this planet. There are some common criteria for the environment that would sustain these bacteria. Availability of water, pH that lies between 5 and 9, temperatures that will remain steady and below boiling; these are some of the characteristics that bacteria will require in their environment if they are to succeed. But in the environment of the ocean floor vents, not only is the pH of the water very low, but also the water temperature is unusually high due to the geologic activity that fuels the vents. Organisms that are adapted to such harsh conditions have necessarily evolved enzymes able to function beyond average optima, as well as a chemosynthetic metabolism capable of using vent organic and inorganic compounds as energy sources.
Part A - Comparable Earth Environments to Be Found on Another Planet
You identify the prokaryotic cells you've found as a species of bacteria. These bacteria appear to be living off of nutrients and sulfur compounds released from the vents on the sea floor. Over time, the bacteria must have evolved extreme metabolic and enzymatic capabilities to allow them to tolerate and even benefit from the extreme depths, the lack of oxygen, the low pH of the surrounding waters, high temperatures due to volcanic releases, and the unique nutrient source of the vents.
Choose the characteristics and their impact on enzyme activity that are not correct from the following statements. (more than one may be chosen)
Archaea are able to tolerate highly acidic pH environments and have proteins that will not denature in the low-pH environments that the bacteria are found in. |
Archaea are able to colonize water that is at or above the boiling temperature due to high levels of disulfide bridges that maintain the three-dimensional structure of the enzyme. |
Archaea are only able to survive exceedingly well at high temperatures due to the amount of activation energy required by their enzymes. |
Archaea are able to grow in extremely shady or low-light conditions that allow for optimal enzyme activity. |
Question 11 pts
What is a mutation?
A dangerous alteration in the genes of a living organism. |
Any change in the base sequence of an organism's DNA. |
Any genetic alteration in an organisms physical appearance. |
A broken piece of a DNA molecule. |
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Question 21 pts
How many "genetic words" are there in the genetic code formed by combining three DNA bases together?
64 |
32 |
128 |
26 |
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Question 31 pts
What is the shape of a DNA molecule?
A double helix. |
a circle. |
a hexagon. |
a concave surface. |
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Question 41 pts
Which of the following is not one of the DNA bases used by living organisms on Earth?
Adenine. |
Galline. |
Thymine. |
Cytosine. |
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Question 51 pts
What is the genome of an organism?
The longest of its DNA molecules. |
The complete sequence of DNA bases in all its DNA. |
The noncoding parts of the DNA. |
All the genes in an organism's DNA. |
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Question 61 pts
The process by which DNA is copied to be passed on to the next generation of an organism is called:
DNA replication. |
DNA unzipping. |
Cell division. |
Genetic mutation. |
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Question 71 pts
If every cell in your body has exactly the same DNA, why are brain cells different from muscle cells?
Because they are located in different parts of your body. |
Because different types of cells use different pieces of the same DNA. |
Because the noncoding DNA behaves differently in different cell types. |
Because while all cells in your body may have the same DNA, they have different genomes. |
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Question 81 pts
Which kind of extreme environment are psychrophiles able to survive?
Extremely low pressure. |
Extreme heat. |
Extreme cold. |
Extreme acidity. |
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Question 91 pts
What are thermophiles ?
Organisms that live in extremely cold conditions. |
Organisms that live in extremely hot conditions. |
Organisms that live in extremely acidic conditions. |
Organisms that can live in highly radioactive environments. |
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Question 101 pts
What characteristic is the bacterial species Deinococcus Radiodurans known for?
For being discovered on radio antennas. |
For being able to survive high doses of radiation. |
For being able to live inside rocks. |
For being the first life discovered on Mars. |