Microbial Ecology Quiz

1. Document three examples of symbiosis using the internet as your resource. (AT LEAST ONE EXAMPLE NEEDS TO PERTAIN TO MICROBIAL ORGANISMS - Do not use the examples provided in this website.) Be sure to include the following information...

 

Describe one example of each type of symbiosis and tell why the interaction represents that type.

Describe the organisms involved and the nature of the interaction (ie. How does each organism affect the other?)

Is the interaction facultative or obligate?

What evidence suggests these organisms have coevolved? Describe any theories regarding how this interaction originated.

 

2. Pick your favorite microbe - Put yourself in their petri dish! Now from your perspective as this microbe, Why is biodiversity significant? Do not refer to your human point of view to answer this question.

 

3. You are a microbiologist who has time traveled to the year 3,800,002,003 B.C. You are observing the interaction between a pre-plastid bacterium and another unicellular microbe. Describe the type of symbiosis that you observe as the two microbes coevolve into one. Be detailed.

 

4. Microbes are the most important organisms on earth. The loss of microbial biodiversity can destroy an ecosystem beyond repair.

In your opinion, is the previous statement accurate or not? Explain. Be sure to include information about the role of bacteria in the soil.

 

5. What are at least three conservation practices that you would be willing to do to help preserve your local ecosystem, the rainforests and as a result the entire planet? Explain why you would do these things. Click here to give you some ideas of different conservation practices.

 

6. Many scientists do not believe that true commensalistic or mutualistic relationships exist. Now that you have researched the nature of symbiosis, explain your opinion of commensalism and mutualism. Do they exist? What evidence supports your opinion?

 

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