chapter 23 Flashcards
(64 cards)
What is microbial ecology?
Study of microbial relationships within the environment
What are the levels of microbial relationships?
Populations, guilds, communities, microhabitats, habitats, ecosystems, biospheres
What is a population in microbial ecology?
Formed by individual organisms, growth, and reproduction
Define a guild in microbial ecology.
Populations that perform linked metabolic activities
What is a community in microbial ecology?
Sets of guilds, usually heterogeneous
What are microhabitats?
Specific small niches: Optimal conditions for survival
What is an ecosystem?
Consist of organisms, their abiotic environment, and relationship between them
What is the carbon cycle?
Primary biogeochemical cycle; essential backbone of all organic molecules
What is the nitrogen cycle?
Most abundant gas in the Earth’s atmosphere; necessary for all living organisms
What is the sulfur cycle?
Similar to nitrogen cycle; includes atmospheric and terrestrial processes
What is the phosphorus cycle?
Essential nutrient for plants, animals, and microorganisms; cannot be found in atmosphere in gaseous state
What factors influence soil microbiology?
Moisture, oxygen, pH, temperature, nutrient availability
What is the primary inhabitant of soil?
Bacteria are the most abundant and diverse soil inhabitants
What are the four distinct vertical zones in freshwater ecosystems?
- Littoral zone
- Limnetic zone
- Profundal zone
- Benthic zone
What defines the littoral zone in freshwater environments?
Area along the shoreline with rooted vegetation and high diversity of animals and bacteria
What is the profundal zone?
Deeper water, found below limnetic zone with limited light
What is the benthic zone?
Sediments at the bottom of the lake; life forms can tolerate cool temperatures and low oxygen levels
What percentage of the Earth’s surface is covered by marine ecosystems?
More than 70%
What is a significant role of microbes in climate change?
Critical role in biogeochemical cycles and adaptation to their environment
What are common natural disasters that impact human health?
- Earthquakes
- Volcanic eruptions
- Hurricanes
- Tsunamis
- Floods
- Droughts
True or False: Natural disasters introduce new diseases.
False
What are the immediate health concerns following a tsunami?
- Clean drinking water
- Food and shelter
- Medical help for injuries
What is bioterrorism?
Use of biological agents to incapacitate or kill civilians or military personnel
What are the three categories of bioterrorism agents?
- Category A
- Category B
- Category C
