New Senior Secondary Mastering Biology (Second Edition)

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% Chapter 1 Basic microbiology

Structured questions

[10177892] Cross-topic Data interpretation High order thinking

* The table below shows some characteristics of three kinds of bacteria, X, Y and
Z.
Gram-positive or Gram-
Bacterium Aerobic or anaerobic
negative #
X Positive Obligate aerobe
Y Positive Obligate anaerobe
Z Negative Facultative anaerobe
Gram-negative bacterium has a hydrophobic outer membrane covering its cell
#

wall while Gram-positive bacterium does not

A scientist wanted to grow these bacteria in three test tubes of agar in order to
identify them. First, he immersed a wire into a culture of each kind of bacteria.
He then inserted each wire into a tube of agar to two-thirds of its depth and
withdrew it to form a wire stab. After incubating the tubes at 30 C for 24 hours,
he observed that bacteria grew at different positions of the agar. The diagram
below shows the results.

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New Senior Secondary Mastering Biology (Second Edition) E3: Chapter 1
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a Based on the positions of bacterial growth, identify the bacteria in tubes P,

Q and R. Explain your answer. (6 marks)
b Penicillin is a large polar molecule. Based on the information provided,
which kind of bacteria is more likely to grow if the bacteria are inoculated
on an agar plate containing penicillin? Explain your answer. (3 marks)
c Some obligate anaerobic bacteria can infect humans. Hyperbaric oxygen
therapy can be used to treat the infections caused by these bacteria. It
involves breathing in pure oxygen under an increased pressure in a chamber
for few minutes to two hours. Suggest how this treatment can help treat
infections caused by obligate anaerobic bacteria. (2 marks)

-- answer --
a Tube P: X 1m
In tube P, the bacteria grew only on the surface of the agar. This indicates that the
bacteria can live only in the presence of oxygen. 1m
Tube Q: Z 1m
In tube Q, the bacteria grew along the wire stab and on the surface of the agar.
This indicates that the bacteria can live with or without oxygen. 1m
Tube R: Y 1m
In tube R, the bacteria grew only near the bottom of the agar. This indicates that
the bacteria can live only in the absence of oxygen. 1m
b Z 1m
Z has a hydrophobic outer membrane. The large polar penicillin cannot move
across the outer membrane of Z. 1m
Penicillin cannot enter Z and kill it. Thus, Z is more likely to grow on an agar plate
containing penicillin. 1m
c Oxygen is toxic to obligate anaerobic bacteria. 1m
The treatment can increase oxygen concentration in the body tissues. This
causes the bacteria to stop growing.
1m
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New Senior Secondary Mastering Biology (Second Edition) E3: Chapter 1
Question Bank – New Questions

[10177912] Graph interpretation High order thinking

* In an investigation, the growth of bacteria in a liquid culture was studied. The

bacterial culture containing glucose was incubated at 20 C for 12 hours. A
sample of the culture was withdrawn at intervals during this period. The number
of living bacteria in the sample, its glucose concentration and its pH value were
determined. The graphs below show the results.

a Describe and explain the changes in the number of living bacteria in the
samples of the culture
i from 2 to 7 hours. (2 marks)
ii from 7 to 11 hours. (2 marks)
iii from 11 to 12 hours. (2 marks)

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New Senior Secondary Mastering Biology (Second Edition) E3: Chapter 1
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b Describe the change in the pH of the culture from 0 to 10 hours. Suggest

one reason for the change. (2 marks)
c The optimum temperature for the growth of the bacteria is 35 C. Draw a
line on the graph above to show how the growth of the bacteria would be
different if the culture was kept at 30 C instead of 20 C. (2 marks)

-- answer --
a i From 2 to 7 hours, the number of living bacteria increased. 1m
The supply of nutrients was adequate and other conditions were favourable.
The bacteria in the culture divided quickly. 1m
ii From 7 to 11 hours, the number of living bacteria became constant and
reached a dynamic equilibrium. 1m
A depletion of nutrients in the culture and an accumulation of toxic waste
made the conditions less favourable for growth. The growth rate slowed
down. The rate of the formation of new bacteria became equal to the death
rate. 1m
iii From 11 to 12 hours, the number of bacteria decreased. 1m
With the further decrease in the amounts of nutrients in the culture and
further accumulation of toxic waste, the environment became harsh for
growth. The rate at which bacteria died exceeded the rate at which they
were produced. 1m
b From 0 to 10 hours, the pH of the culture decreased. 1m
The bacteria produced lactic acid during anaerobic respiration. Lactic acid caused
the culture to become acidic. 1m
c The growth rate is higher in exponential phase. 1m
It levels off at the same number of living bacteria. 1m
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