Bacterial Growth & Metabolism Questions
Q.
Binary fission is the process by which bacteria:
Form spores
Transfer DNA
Become dormant
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?
Log (exponential) phase
Death phase
Lag phase
Stationary phase
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Explanation:
Log (exponential) phase is when bacteria grow and divide at maximum rate.
Q.
In the lag phase, bacteria:
Die
Adapt without dividing
Divide rapidly
Form spores
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Explanation:
During lag phase, bacteria adapt to new conditions but do not divide.
Q.
In the stationary phase:
Bacteria form spores only
Growth rate equals death rate
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 form spores
Time for population to double
Time to transfer DNA
Time to become dormant
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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:
Mesophiles
Thermophiles
Psychrophiles
Hyperthermophiles
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Explanation:
Mesophiles grow best at moderate temperatures (20–45°C), like human body temperature.
Q.
Psychrophiles grow best at:
High temperatures (>60°C)
Body temperature
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:
Obligate aerobes
Microaerophiles
Facultative anaerobes
Obligate anaerobes
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Explanation:
Obligate aerobes require oxygen; obligate anaerobes are killed by oxygen.
Q.
Bacteria killed by oxygen are:
Facultative anaerobes
Obligate aerobes
Aerotolerant anaerobes
Obligate anaerobes
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Explanation:
Obligate anaerobes cannot survive in the presence of oxygen.
Q.
Facultative anaerobes:
Grow with or without oxygen
Are killed by oxygen
Require CO2
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
Anaerobic respiration
Photosynthesis
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Explanation:
Aerobic respiration uses oxygen as the final electron acceptor.
Q.
Fermentation in bacteria produces:
ATP without oxygen
Only oxygen
Only glucose
Only water
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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?
Mycobacterium and Corynebacterium
Clostridium and Bacillus
Lactobacillus and Streptococcus
E. coli and Salmonella
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Explanation:
Lactobacillus and Streptococcus species ferment milk into yogurt.
Q.
Nitrogen-fixing bacteria convert:
N2 to nitrate
N2 to ammonia
Ammonia to N2
Nitrate 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:
Fish gills
Human skin
Legume roots
Animal intestines
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Explanation:
Rhizobium forms nodules on legume roots for nitrogen fixation.
Q.
Which is a selective medium for Gram-negative bacteria?
Blood agar
Nutrient agar
Chocolate agar
MacConkey agar
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Explanation:
MacConkey agar inhibits Gram-positive bacteria and allows Gram-negative growth.
Q.
Blood agar is classified as:
Defined medium
Enriched and differential
Selective only
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
Filtration
High-pressure steam
UV light
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Explanation:
Autoclaving uses high-pressure steam (121°C, 15 psi) for 15–20 minutes.
Q.
Pasteurization uses:
UV light
Controlled heating to kill pathogens
High-pressure steam
Radiation
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Explanation:
Pasteurization heats liquids (e.g., milk) to kill pathogens without sterilizing.
Q.
A bacterial colony arises from:
A single cell
A spore
Multiple cells
A virus
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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 DNA
Bacterial proteins
Living bacteria
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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
Spore formation
Horizontal gene transfer
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Explanation:
Resistance spreads via horizontal gene transfer: conjugation, transformation, and transduction.