Textbook Question
Which of the following is not a characteristic of biofilms?
a. Antibiotic resistance
b. Hydrogel
c. Iron deficiency
d. Quorum sensing
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Ch. 6 - Microbial Growth
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 6, Problem 7
Nitrogen and phosphorus added to beaches following an oil spill encourage the growth of natural oil-degrading bacteria. Explain why the bacteria do not grow if nitrogen and phosphorus are not added.
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand that bacteria require essential nutrients to grow and reproduce, including carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and other elements.
Recognize that in the context of an oil spill, the oil provides a rich source of carbon, but nitrogen and phosphorus are often limited in the environment.
Explain that nitrogen and phosphorus are critical for synthesizing key cellular components such as nucleic acids (DNA, RNA) and proteins, which are necessary for bacterial growth.
Describe that without sufficient nitrogen and phosphorus, bacteria cannot build these essential molecules, so their growth and reproduction are inhibited despite the presence of carbon from the oil.
Conclude that adding nitrogen and phosphorus to the beach environment removes this nutrient limitation, allowing the natural oil-degrading bacteria to multiply and effectively break down the oil.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Limiting Nutrients in Microbial Growth
Microbial growth depends on the availability of essential nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus. When these nutrients are scarce, they limit bacterial reproduction and metabolism, preventing population increase even if other resources like oil are present.
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Role of Nitrogen and Phosphorus in Cellular Functions
Nitrogen is vital for synthesizing amino acids and nucleic acids, while phosphorus is crucial for ATP production and nucleic acid structure. Without sufficient nitrogen and phosphorus, bacteria cannot build necessary cellular components to grow and reproduce.
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Bioremediation and Nutrient Supplementation
Bioremediation uses microbes to degrade pollutants like oil. Adding nitrogen and phosphorus to contaminated sites stimulates the growth of oil-degrading bacteria by overcoming nutrient limitations, enhancing the breakdown of hydrocarbons in the environment.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question
Which of the following types of media would not be used to culture aerobes?
a. Selective media
b. Reducing media
c. Enrichment media
d. Differential media
e. Complex media
Textbook Question
Use the following information to answer questions 1 and 2. Two culture media were inoculated with four different bacteria. After incubation, the following results were obtained:
Medium 2 is:
a. Selective
b. Differential
c. Both selective and differential
Textbook Question
Which one of the following temperatures would most likely kill a mesophile?
a. -50℃
b. 0℃
c. 9℃
d. 37℃
e. 60℃
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Textbook Question
Differentiate complex and chemically defined media.
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Textbook Question
The term trace elements refers to
a. The elements CHONPS.
b. Vitamins.
c. Nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur.
d. Small mineral requirements.
e. Toxic substances.
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