DATE: NAME:

BLOCK:

BACTERIA REVIEW
(A) VOCABULARY

1. Define the following terms, IN YOUR OWN WORDS, IN AS FEW WORDS AS CLARITY ALLOWS .

Eubacteria large group of bacteria, prokaryotic cells, with rigid cell walls made of peptidoglycan

peptidoglycan a substance forming the cell walls of many bacteria, consisting of carbohydrates and proteins

streptococci spherical (coccus) bacteria that grow in chains (stepto)

antibiotic a medicine/substance (such as penicillin) that inhibits the growth of, or destroys, bacteria

flagellum a slender threadlike structure that enables many protists and bacteria to swim.

conjugation conjugation is the transfer of DNA between bacterial cells by direct cell-to-cell contact

binary fission a form of asexual reproduction that involves the splitting of a parent cell into two identical cells

2. In each of the following sets, choose the term
that does not belong, and explain why it does
not belong.
(a) heterotroph, saprophyte, chemoautotroph
Chemoautotroph. Saprophytes are a type of
heterotroph. Heterotrophs must consume food to
obtain energy, whereas, autotrophs produce their
own food.
(b) methanogen, spirochetes, enteric bacteria
Methanogen doesn’t belong. Spirochetes and
enteric bacteria both part of the Eubacteria
kingdom, whereas, methanogen are part of the
Archaebacteria kingdom.
(c) archaebacterium, exotoxin, pathogen
Archaebacterium doesn’t belong. Pathogenic
bacteria often produce exotoxins which they
excrete to the environment. Archaebacteria is the
name of bacterial kingdom.
(d) pilus, conjugation, ribosome
2 possible Answers:
Conjugation doesn’t belong. Pilus and ribosome
are both structural parts of a bacteria, whereas,
conjugation is a DNA transfer process.
Ribosome doesn’t belong. Pilus (pilli) are used
by bacteria to join together during conjugation.
Ribosomes produce proteins in the cytoplasm.

(B) MULTIPLE CHOICE

B 1. Rod-shaped bacteria are called

____ C 3. Thermoacidophiles are
____

(a) cocci (c) halophiles (a) eubacteria (c) archaebacteria

(b) bacilli (d) spirilla (b) cyanobacteria (d) spirochetes

D 2. Gram-positive bacterial stain

____
A 4. Bacterial DNA is
____
(a) blue (c) red
(b) pink (d) purple (a) an closed loop (like a ring)
(b) linear (like a rod)
(c) encased in a capsule
(d) found in the nucleus
 A 5. An organism that must have oxygen to
____ B 7. The term ‘prokaryotes’ refers to which of
____
survive is the following?
(a) an obligate aerobe
(a) very small organisms
(b) a facultative anaerobe
(b) unicellular organisms that have no nucleus
(c) a facultative aerobe
(c) multicellular organisms
(d) an obligate anaerobe
(d) cells that resemble animal cells more than
A 6. Genetic recombination in bacteria can plant cells
____
occur during the process of
(a) conjugation (c) cyst formation
(b) binary fission (d) spore production

(C) SHORT ANSWER

1. List ONE distinguishing characteristic of each of the three main groups of Archaebacteria:
Group of Archaebacteria Distinguishing Characteristic
1 Methanogens Bacteria that can produce methane (natural gas) from carbon dioxide

2 Extreme Halophiles Bacteria that can live in very salty environments

3 Thermoacidophiles Bacteria that can live in very hot and acidic environments

2. Why are cyanobacteria not classified as

plants (‘algae’)?
Because it was discovered that the cells of
cyanobacteria are prokaryotic, which means they
lack a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles,
unlike plants, which are eurkaryotic. Also, most
plants are multicellular, while cyanobacteria (and
bacteria in general) tend to be unicellular
4. Explain how saprophytic bacteria contribute to
the recycling of nutrients in the environment.
By decomposing dead organisms or organic matter,
saprophytic bacterial release carbon, and other
elements, for reuse by other organisms.

5. Describe ONE way that bacterial can exchange

3. Describe the capsule of a bacterium and its
function.
The capsule is a protective layer, made of
carbohydrates, which surrounds the bacterial cell wall.
The capsule protects the bacteria from harsh
environments, phagocytosis by our immune system, and
allows them to attach to surfaces.
genetic information.
(1) Conjugation – a portion of DNA is transferred from one
bacteria to another throught a conjugation bridge (formed
by pilli)
(2) Transduction – a virus transfers DNA from one bacteria
to another bacteria
(3) Transformation – a bacterial cell picks up DNA from its
environment (typically from a dead bacteria)

6. Penicillin works by interfering with the ability of bacteria to polymerize (produce) the peptidoglycan cell wall.
Given this fact, explain why Gram-positive bacteria are more susceptible to the effects of penicillin than are
Gram-negative bacteria.
Gram-positive bacteria have a much thicker layer of peptidoglycan in their cell walls, compared to the
thinner peptidoglycan layer in gram-negative bacteria. When exposed to penicillin, gram-positive bacteria
will not be able to produce the majority of their cell membrane, and are therefore more impacted. Also,
gram-negative bacteria also have an outer layer that often prevents the movement of antibiotics into their
cells, therefore lowering the effect of penicillin.
7. In the table below, label the parts of the bacterium below and describe ONE function of each part.

C
B

E
D

Letter Part Name Part Function

Contains genes for “normal” operations, inherited from parent

A Chromosome/DNA
cells, usually circular

Internal fluid of cell, site of many chemical reactions, contains

B Cytoplasm
important substances

Responsible for reading genetic instructions & producing proteins

C Ribosome
(turns DNA into proteins)

Protection, contains peptidoglycan, helps maintain shape

D Cell Wall
(provides rigidity)

Allows entry/exit of materials and substances in and out of the cell

E Cell Membrane
+ anchors pilli

8. List 2 diseases caused by bacteria, and list the body organs that they affect.
Disease Name Description Organ(s) Affected
Answers will vary:
ex) Strep throat – caused by a bacteria
1
known as Streptococcus pyogenes, also
Answers will vary:
known as group A streptococcus. Answers will vary.
Strep throat Symptoms include: Ex. Strep throat
Chlamydia  Throat pain/painful swallowing
Anthrax  Red and swollen tonsils, sometimes with
2 Throat, Tonsils, Respiratory
Lyme Disease white patches or streaks of pus. System Tissues
Flesh-Eating Disease  Tiny red spots on the area at the back of the
roof of the mouth
 Swollen/sore lymph nodes in your neck
 Fever.