cell inclusions

Question 1

What is the function of storage granules?

Answer 1

Reserve deposits for nutrients and energy.

Question 2

What are glycogen granules?

Answer 2

Storage form of glucose, especially in fungi and protozoa.

Question 3

What are lipid droplets?

Answer 3

Stored fats/oils used for energy.

Question 4

What is the function of pigment granules?

Answer 4

Contain pigments for photosynthesis or protection.

Question 5

What role does chlorophyll play in algae?

Answer 5

Essential for photosynthesis.

Question 6

What is melanin used for?

Answer 6

Protection from UV radiation or oxidative damage.

Question 7

What are crystalline inclusions associated with?

Answer 7

Enzymatic activity or storage.

Question 8

What do gas vacuoles provide for aquatic organisms?

Answer 8

Buoyancy in aquatic environments.

Question 9

Are gas vacuoles common in eukaryotes?

Answer 9

No, they are more common in prokaryotes.

Question 10

What is a key characteristic of cell inclusions?

Answer 10

They do not have membranes.

Question 11

What are the main functions of cell inclusions?

Answer 11

Storage, protection, or specialized roles like photosynthesis.

Question 12

How do cell inclusions differ from organelles?

Answer 12

They are non-metabolic and non-living parts of the cell.

Question 14

What are microbial cell inclusions?

Answer 14

Structures within the cytoplasm, enclosed by a single-layer membrane made of proteins

They serve for storage of energy or nutrients and may have specialized functions.

Question 15

What is the primary function of microbial cell inclusions?

Answer 15

Storage of energy or nutrients

Examples include carbon and phosphorus.

Question 16

What is Poly-β-hydroxybutyric acid (PHB)?

Answer 16

A carbon- and energy-storage material commonly found in prokaryotes

It is synthesized when carbon is in excess.

Question 17

What is glycogen?

Answer 17

A glucose polymer that serves as a reservoir of carbon and energy

Resembles starch but differs in glucose linkage.

Question 18

What are polyphosphate granules?

Answer 18

Inorganic phosphate accumulations formed when phosphate is in excess

They are involved in biosynthesis of nucleic acids and ATP synthesis.

Question 19

What is the role of sulfur granules in bacteria?

Answer 19

Involved in oxidation of reduced sulfur compounds like H₂S

Generates electrons for energy metabolism and CO₂ fixation.

Question 20

Which bacteria are known to contain sulfur granules?

Answer 20

Gram-negative bacteria and Archaea

Example includes Isochromatium buderi.

Question 21

What are gas vesicles?

Answer 21

Conical-shaped protein structures that provide buoyancy to cells

They are permeable to gases but impermeable to water and solutes.

Question 22

What is the function of magnetosomes?

Answer 22

Enable magnetotaxis, allowing cells to orient in magnetic fields

They contain biomineralized iron particles.

Question 23

True or False: Gas vesicles are impermeable to gases.

Answer 23

False

Gas vesicles are permeable to gases.

Question 24

Fill in the blank: Poly-β-hydroxybutyric acid (PHB) is a type of _______.

Answer 24

Carbon storage polymer

It is a part of the broader category of Poly-β-hydroxyalkanoates (PHA).

Question 25

What is the significance of magnetotactic bacteria?

Answer 25

They possess magnetosomes that allow for orientation in magnetic fields ## Footnote An example is *Magnetospirillum magnetotacticum*.

Question 26

Highly differentiated dormant structures (also called “resting” or cryptobiotic forms). Formed by some Gram-positive bacteria, especially: Bacillus (e.g., anthrax) Clostridium (e.g., botulism, tetanus) Can survive extreme conditions: heat, radiation, chemicals, drying, and nutrient depletion.

Answer 26

ENDOSPORE

Question 27

life cycle vegetative-__________- vegtative

Answer 27

endospore

Question 31

What is the outermost layer of a spore called?

Answer 31

Exosporium ## Footnote The exosporium is a proteinaceous layer that protects the spore.

Question 32

What is the function of the spore coat?

Answer 32

Protects the spore from chemicals and enzymes ## Footnote The spore coat is made of spore-specific proteins.

Question 33

What is contained in the cortex of a spore?

Answer 33

Peptidoglycan (PG), dipicolinic acid (DPA), and calcium ions (Ca²⁺) ## Footnote The cortex maintains core dehydration, enhancing resistance.

Question 34

What components are found in the core of a spore?

Answer 34

DNA, ribosomes, and enzymes ## Footnote The core is derived from the vegetative cytoplasm.

Question 35

What is the origin of the inner membrane of a spore?

Answer 35

Cytoplasmic membrane of the vegetative cell ## Footnote The inner membrane is crucial for the spore's structural integrity.

Question 36

When is the outer spore membrane formed?

Answer 36

During sporulation ## Footnote The outer spore membrane is essential for the spore's protective functions.

Question 37

What triggers sporulation?

Answer 37

Nutrient limitation ## Footnote Sporulation is a survival mechanism for bacteria under stress.

Question 38

List the steps of sporulation.

Answer 38

* Asymmetric Cell Division * Engulfment of the Forespore * Late Sporulation * Maturation * Mother Cell Lysis * Spore Release ## Footnote These steps ensure the formation of a resilient endospore.

Question 39

What occurs during the activation phase of germination?

Answer 39

Spore hydrates and becomes less refractile ## Footnote Activation is the initial step towards returning to a vegetative state.

Question 40

What is the outcome of the germination phase?

Answer 40

Spore transitions to vegetative state ## Footnote Germination is critical for the resumption of metabolic activity.

Question 41

What happens in the outgrowth phase of germination?

Answer 41

Vegetative cell emerges and divides ## Footnote This phase marks the return to active growth.

Question 42

What are the summary traits of endospores?

Answer 42

* Thick-walled * Extremely resistant * Formed during late log or stationary phase * Appear at different positions in cells: central, subterminal, or terminal * Resistant to dyes ## Footnote Endospores are a key survival mechanism for bacteria.

Question 43

generates electron for use in energy metabolism or Co2 fixation

Answer 43

Sulfur granules

Question 44

Sulfur bacteria discovered by

Answer 44

Sergei Winogradsky

Question 45

Helionacterium modesticaldum is under

Answer 45

Polyphosphate granule