<div style='margin-bottom: 20px;'> <div style="margin-bottom: 10px; background-color: #f2f2f2; border-radius: 1rem; padding: 10px 20px;"> <h2 style="font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 1.5rem;">What type of acid can corrode pipes and concrete sewers?</h2> <p style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 1.2rem;">Sulphuric acid (H₂SO₄).</p> </div> <div style="margin-bottom: 10px; background-color: #f2f2f2; border-radius: 1rem; padding: 10px 20px;"> <h2 style="font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 1.5rem;">What is the role of bacterioplankton in the microbial loop?</h2> <p style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 1.2rem;">Bacterioplankton mineralize important nutrients contained within organic compounds and convert a portion of the dissolved carbon into biomass.</p> </div> <div style="margin-bottom: 10px; background-color: #f2f2f2; border-radius: 1rem; padding: 10px 20px;"> <h2 style="font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 1.5rem;">Why do microbial numbers tend to be higher on benthos surfaces compared to the plankton?</h2> <p style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 1.2rem;">Microbial numbers are higher on benthos surfaces due to higher carbon and nutrient levels.</p> </div> <div style="margin-bottom: 10px; background-color: #f2f2f2; border-radius: 1rem; padding: 10px 20px;"> <h2 style="font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 1.5rem;">What is the primary role of fungi in aquatic environments?</h2> <p style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 1.2rem;">Fungi act as parasites of planktonic algae, preventing overpopulation and aiding in light penetration into the water column.</p> </div> <div style="margin-bottom: 10px; background-color: #f2f2f2; border-radius: 1rem; padding: 10px 20px;"> <h2 style="font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 1.5rem;">What significant role do soil organisms play in the ecosystem?</h2> <p style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 1.2rem;">Cycling of nutrients, enhancing soil structure, decomposition and relocation of organic materials, maintenance of soil quality and health, increasing soil aeration and penetrability, involved in disease transmission and control</p> </div> <div style="margin-bottom: 10px; background-color: #f2f2f2; border-radius: 1rem; padding: 10px 20px;"> <h2 style="font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 1.5rem;">What forms the steep redox gradient in the sediment of benthic zones?</h2> <p style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 1.2rem;">A steep redox gradient is formed in the sediment of benthic zones due to the quick depletion of oxygen and its replacement by other terminal electron acceptors such as sulfate, nitrate, or iron.</p> </div> <div style="margin-bottom: 10px; background-color: #f2f2f2; border-radius: 1rem; padding: 10px 20px;"> <h2 style="font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 1.5rem;">How is an ecosystem defined in microbial ecology?</h2> <p style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 1.2rem;">Biotic community + Abiotic environment.</p> </div> <div style="margin-bottom: 10px; background-color: #f2f2f2; border-radius: 1rem; padding: 10px 20px;"> <h2 style="font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 1.5rem;">How do viral populations in freshwater environments compare to bacterial numbers?</h2> <p style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 1.2rem;">Viral populations can exceed bacterial numbers by two orders of magnitude.</p> </div> <div style="margin-bottom: 10px; background-color: #f2f2f2; border-radius: 1rem; padding: 10px 20px;"> <h2 style="font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 1.5rem;">What is the range of time over which soil microbial communities can change?</h2> <p style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 1.2rem;">From hours to millennia</p> </div> <div style="margin-bottom: 10px; background-color: #f2f2f2; border-radius: 1rem; padding: 10px 20px;"> <h2 style="font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 1.5rem;">What is the primary focus of microbial ecology?</h2> <p style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 1.2rem;">The study of the relationship between microorganisms and their biotic and abiotic environment.</p> </div> <div style="margin-bottom: 10px; background-color: #f2f2f2; border-radius: 1rem; padding: 10px 20px;"> <h2 style="font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 1.5rem;">What percentage of fixed carbon is released as dissolved organic material (DOM) by phytoplankton?</h2> <p style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 1.2rem;">50% of fixed carbon is released as DOM by phytoplankton.</p> </div> <div style="margin-bottom: 10px; background-color: #f2f2f2; border-radius: 1rem; padding: 10px 20px;"> <h2 style="font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 1.5rem;">Define 'population' in the context of microbial ecology.</h2> <p style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 1.2rem;">A group of individual organisms belonging to one species or one functional type in a specified habitat.</p> </div> <div style="margin-bottom: 10px; background-color: #f2f2f2; border-radius: 1rem; padding: 10px 20px;"> <h2 style="font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 1.5rem;">What are the three broad groups into which soil organisms are categorized based on size?</h2> <p style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 1.2rem;">Microbiota, Mesobiota, Macrobiota</p> </div> <div style="margin-bottom: 10px; background-color: #f2f2f2; border-radius: 1rem; padding: 10px 20px;"> <h2 style="font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 1.5rem;">Which protozoa are found in large numbers in freshly contaminated or polluted waters?</h2> <p style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 1.2rem;">Sarcodina and Mastigophora.</p> </div> <div style="margin-bottom: 10px; background-color: #f2f2f2; border-radius: 1rem; padding: 10px 20px;"> <h2 style="font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 1.5rem;">How do agricultural activities affect the soil environment?</h2> <p style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 1.2rem;">Change the direction of biogeochemical cycles, content and composition of organic matter, density and soil structure, water and air regime</p> </div> <div style="margin-bottom: 10px; background-color: #f2f2f2; border-radius: 1rem; padding: 10px 20px;"> <h2 style="font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 1.5rem;">What is the significance of the ecological niche for a microbial species?</h2> <p style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 1.2rem;">It is the ability of a microbial species or population to make use of resources available in their habitat or to live under specific environmental conditions.</p> </div> <div style="margin-bottom: 10px; background-color: #f2f2f2; border-radius: 1rem; padding: 10px 20px;"> <h2 style="font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 1.5rem;">What constitutes a community in ecological terms?</h2> <p style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 1.2rem;">A naturally occurring group of organisms living in a particular location.</p> </div> <div style="margin-bottom: 10px; background-color: #f2f2f2; border-radius: 1rem; padding: 10px 20px;"> <h2 style="font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 1.5rem;">What is the term used to describe the community of organisms living in soil?</h2> <p style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 1.2rem;">Edaphon</p> </div> <div style="margin-bottom: 10px; background-color: #f2f2f2; border-radius: 1rem; padding: 10px 20px;"> <h2 style="font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 1.5rem;">Which algae is known to impart a cucumber taste to drinking water?</h2> <p style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 1.2rem;">The chrysophyte Sunura uvella.</p> </div> <div style="margin-bottom: 10px; background-color: #f2f2f2; border-radius: 1rem; padding: 10px 20px;"> <h2 style="font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 1.5rem;">Which group of soil organisms is not visible with the naked eye?</h2> <p style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 1.2rem;">Microbiota</p> </div> <div style="margin-bottom: 10px; background-color: #f2f2f2; border-radius: 1rem; padding: 10px 20px;"> <h2 style="font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 1.5rem;">What are the two main functions of the extracellular matrix in biofilms?</h2> <p style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 1.2rem;">The extracellular matrix in biofilms functions as an ion-exchange resin to filter and collect essential nutrients, and provides protection against environmental stressors and predators.</p> </div> <div style="margin-bottom: 10px; background-color: #f2f2f2; border-radius: 1rem; padding: 10px 20px;"> <h2 style="font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 1.5rem;">What is the difference in thickness between biofilms and microbial mats?</h2> <p style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 1.2rem;">Biofilms are typically one to several cell layers thick, while microbial mats range from several millimeters to a centimeter thick.</p> </div> <div style="margin-bottom: 10px; background-color: #f2f2f2; border-radius: 1rem; padding: 10px 20px;"> <h2 style="font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 1.5rem;">What environmental factors affect the levels of airborne microbes?</h2> <p style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 1.2rem;">Relative humidity and temperature, oxygen content, specific ions, UV radiation, Rainfall, weather conditions, speed and direction of air currents</p> </div> <div style="margin-bottom: 10px; background-color: #f2f2f2; border-radius: 1rem; padding: 10px 20px;"> <h2 style="font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 1.5rem;">What is the primary function of the microbial loop in aquatic systems?</h2> <p style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 1.2rem;">The primary function of the microbial loop is to retain nutrients, carbon, and energy in the sunlit surface waters to support more growth.</p> </div> <div style="margin-bottom: 10px; background-color: #f2f2f2; border-radius: 1rem; padding: 10px 20px;"> <h2 style="font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 1.5rem;">What are the organizational levels in life mentioned in the text, starting from molecules?</h2> <p style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 1.2rem;">Molecules macromolecular complexes < cell organelles < cell tissue < whole organism < population < community < ecosystem < biosphere.</p> </div> <div style="margin-bottom: 10px; background-color: #f2f2f2; border-radius: 1rem; padding: 10px 20px;"> <h2 style="font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 1.5rem;">Which fungi are primarily found in aquatic environments?</h2> <p style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 1.2rem;">Phycomycetes, along with Ascomycetes, Basidiomycetes, and Fungi imperfecti (Hyphomycetes).</p> </div> <div style="margin-bottom: 10px; background-color: #f2f2f2; border-radius: 1rem; padding: 10px 20px;"> <h2 style="font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 1.5rem;">What are the common genera of fungi encountered in water?</h2> <p style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 1.2rem;">Allomyces, Achyla, Sapromyces, various chytrids, and Fusarium.</p> </div> <div style="margin-bottom: 10px; background-color: #f2f2f2; border-radius: 1rem; padding: 10px 20px;"> <h2 style="font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 1.5rem;">How many bacteria can be found in a single gram of topsoil?</h2> <p style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 1.2rem;">Up to one billion</p> </div> <div style="margin-bottom: 10px; background-color: #f2f2f2; border-radius: 1rem; padding: 10px 20px;"> <h2 style="font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 1.5rem;">What are some examples of microorganisms based on their function?</h2> <p style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 1.2rem;">Denitrifying, nitrifying, photosynthetic, methanogenic, sulfate-reducing, H2-oxidizing, PCB-degrading microorganisms.</p> </div> <div style="margin-bottom: 10px; background-color: #f2f2f2; border-radius: 1rem; padding: 10px 20px;"> <h2 style="font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 1.5rem;">What constitutes a microbial community?</h2> <p style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 1.2rem;">All populations occupying a given habitat, such as in sediment, lake, or soil.</p> </div> <div style="margin-bottom: 10px; background-color: #f2f2f2; border-radius: 1rem; padding: 10px 20px;"> <h2 style="font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 1.5rem;">What are the characteristics of aquatic environments that affect microorganisms?</h2> <p style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 1.2rem;">Low concentration of nutrients, relative homogeneity of water properties, water movement, and freedom of movement of microorganisms.</p> </div> <div style="margin-bottom: 10px; background-color: #f2f2f2; border-radius: 1rem; padding: 10px 20px;"> <h2 style="font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 1.5rem;">What is the study of freshwater habitats called?</h2> <p style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 1.2rem;">The study of freshwater habitats is called limnology.</p> </div> <div style="margin-bottom: 10px; background-color: #f2f2f2; border-radius: 1rem; padding: 10px 20px;"> <h2 style="font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 1.5rem;">What factors strongly influence the seasonal dynamics of microbial communities in soils?</h2> <p style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 1.2rem;">Biomass and structure</p> </div> <div style="margin-bottom: 10px; background-color: #f2f2f2; border-radius: 1rem; padding: 10px 20px;"> <h2 style="font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 1.5rem;">What are bioaerosols?</h2> <p style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 1.2rem;">Liquid or solid made up of biological contaminants; bacterial and viral human pathogens, airborne toxins, parts or components of whole cells</p> </div> <div style="margin-bottom: 10px; background-color: #f2f2f2; border-radius: 1rem; padding: 10px 20px;"> <h2 style="font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 1.5rem;">What distinguishes planktonic organisms from benthic organisms in freshwater environments?</h2> <p style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 1.2rem;">Planktonic organisms are free-floating in water, while benthic organisms inhabit the bottom sediment.</p> </div> <div style="margin-bottom: 10px; background-color: #f2f2f2; border-radius: 1rem; padding: 10px 20px;"> <h2 style="font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 1.5rem;">Which bacteria tend to occur with heavy eutrophication and organic material presence in water?</h2> <p style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 1.2rem;">Zooglea tends to occur with heavy eutrophication and due to organic material.</p> </div> <div style="margin-bottom: 10px; background-color: #f2f2f2; border-radius: 1rem; padding: 10px 20px;"> <h2 style="font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 1.5rem;">What are the two major components of an ecosystem?</h2> <p style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 1.2rem;">The biome or ecosystem community (biotic) and the habitat (physical environment, abiotic).</p> </div> <div style="margin-bottom: 10px; background-color: #f2f2f2; border-radius: 1rem; padding: 10px 20px;"> <h2 style="font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 1.5rem;">What technique has been used to study phenotypic and genetic diversity within single-species populations?</h2> <p style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 1.2rem;">Analytical microscopical techniques, including light microscope infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscope X-ray micro-analysis.</p> </div> <div style="margin-bottom: 10px; background-color: #f2f2f2; border-radius: 1rem; padding: 10px 20px;"> <h2 style="font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 1.5rem;">What type of systems are rivers and streams classified as?</h2> <p style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 1.2rem;">Rivers and streams are classified as lotic systems.</p> </div> <div style="margin-bottom: 10px; background-color: #f2f2f2; border-radius: 1rem; padding: 10px 20px;"> <h2 style="font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 1.5rem;">What is the role of bacterioplankton in freshwater ecosystems?</h2> <p style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 1.2rem;">They include archaea and bacteria that can be photoautotrophs, chemoautotrophs, and heterotrophs, playing a key role in the microbial loop by assimilating dissolved organic matter.</p> </div> </div>