Bacterial Growth & Metabolism Questions
Q.
Binary fission is the process by which bacteria:
Transfer DNA
Become dormant
Form spores
Reproduce asexually
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Explanation:
Binary fission is asexual reproduction producing two identical daughter cells.
Q.
The bacterial growth curve has how many phases?
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Explanation:
The bacterial growth curve has four phases: lag, log (exponential), stationary, and death.
Q.
During which phase do bacteria grow fastest?
Lag phase
Stationary phase
Death phase
Log (exponential) phase
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Explanation:
Log (exponential) phase is when bacteria grow and divide at maximum rate.
Q.
In the lag phase, bacteria:
Form spores
Die
Adapt without dividing
Divide rapidly
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Explanation:
During lag phase, bacteria adapt to new conditions but do not divide.
Q.
In the stationary phase:
Growth rate equals death rate
Bacteria form spores only
All bacteria die
Bacteria divide fastest
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Explanation:
Stationary phase occurs when growth rate equals death rate, so total cell number stays constant.
Q.
Generation time is:
Time to become dormant
Time for population to double
Time to transfer DNA
Time to form spores
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Explanation:
Generation time is the time required for a bacterial population to double.
Q.
Bacteria that grow best at human body temperature are:
Hyperthermophiles
Mesophiles
Thermophiles
Psychrophiles
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Explanation:
Mesophiles grow best at moderate temperatures (20–45°C), like human body temperature.
Q.
Psychrophiles grow best at:
Body temperature
High temperatures (>60°C)
Cold temperatures (<15°C)
Neutral pH
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Explanation:
Psychrophiles thrive at cold temperatures (below 15°C).
Q.
Thermophiles grow best at:
Cold temperatures
Body temperature
High temperatures (45–80°C)
Low pH
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Explanation:
Thermophiles thrive at high temperatures (45–80°C).
Q.
Bacteria that require oxygen for growth are called:
Microaerophiles
Obligate anaerobes
Facultative anaerobes
Obligate aerobes
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Explanation:
Obligate aerobes require oxygen; obligate anaerobes are killed by oxygen.
Q.
Bacteria killed by oxygen are:
Obligate aerobes
Facultative anaerobes
Aerotolerant anaerobes
Obligate anaerobes
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Explanation:
Obligate anaerobes cannot survive in the presence of oxygen.
Q.
Facultative anaerobes:
Are killed by oxygen
Require CO2
Grow with or without oxygen
Require oxygen
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Explanation:
Facultative anaerobes can grow with or without oxygen.
Q.
Bacterial metabolism that uses oxygen as final electron acceptor is:
Aerobic respiration
Fermentation
Photosynthesis
Anaerobic respiration
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Explanation:
Aerobic respiration uses oxygen as the final electron acceptor.
Q.
Fermentation in bacteria produces:
Only water
Only glucose
Only oxygen
ATP without oxygen
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Explanation:
Fermentation produces ATP without oxygen, generating products like lactic acid, ethanol, or acetic acid.
Q.
Which bacteria are used in yogurt production?
Lactobacillus and Streptococcus
E. coli and Salmonella
Mycobacterium and Corynebacterium
Clostridium and Bacillus
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Explanation:
Lactobacillus and Streptococcus species ferment milk into yogurt.
Q.
Nitrogen-fixing bacteria convert:
N2 to ammonia
N2 to nitrate
Nitrate to N2
Ammonia to N2
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Explanation:
Nitrogen-fixing bacteria (e.g., Rhizobium) convert atmospheric N2 into ammonia.
Q.
Rhizobium bacteria form symbiotic relationships with:
Legume roots
Fish gills
Animal intestines
Human skin
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Explanation:
Rhizobium forms nodules on legume roots for nitrogen fixation.
Q.
Which is a selective medium for Gram-negative bacteria?
MacConkey agar
Blood agar
Chocolate agar
Nutrient agar
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Explanation:
MacConkey agar inhibits Gram-positive bacteria and allows Gram-negative growth.
Q.
Blood agar is classified as:
Selective only
Enriched and differential
Defined medium
Minimal medium
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Explanation:
Blood agar is an enriched, differential medium showing hemolysis patterns.
Q.
Autoclaving uses which combination for sterilization?
Dry heat
UV light
Filtration
High-pressure steam
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Explanation:
Autoclaving uses high-pressure steam (121°C, 15 psi) for 15–20 minutes.
Q.
Pasteurization uses:
High-pressure steam
UV light
Radiation
Controlled heating to kill pathogens
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Explanation:
Pasteurization heats liquids (e.g., milk) to kill pathogens without sterilizing.
Q.
A bacterial colony arises from:
A virus
A spore
Multiple cells
A single cell
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Explanation:
Each colony arises from a single bacterial cell (or CFU — colony-forming unit).
Q.
CFU stands for:
Colony-Forming Unit
Cellular Function Unit
Cell Fusion Unit
Culture Fast Unit
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Explanation:
CFU stands for Colony-Forming Unit, a measure of viable bacterial numbers.
Q.
Viable plate count measures:
Total bacteria including dead
Bacterial proteins
Living bacteria
Bacterial DNA
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Explanation:
Viable plate count measures living (viable) bacteria that can form colonies.
Q.
Antibiotic resistance can spread between bacteria via:
Capsule formation
Binary fission only
Horizontal gene transfer
Spore formation
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Explanation:
Resistance spreads via horizontal gene transfer: conjugation, transformation, and transduction.