Concept explainers
To explain: Ecological roles of bacteria and disruption of those roles by antibiotic pollution.
Concept introduction: Bacteria are the unicellular prokaryotes that are generally considered as a pathogen (harmful pathogenic bacteria) but ecologically plays an important role in the environment. Those beneficial bacteria can act as decomposers, nitrogen fixators, agent for bioremediation and waste water treatment, and so on. But the antibiotic discharge from the industrial outlet may be one off the main risk involved in the disruption of the ecological role played by the bacteria. This risk is because of the development of antibiotic resistance in the existing bacteria and turns into more pathogenic organisms.
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Chapter 20 Solutions
Biology: The Unity and Diversity of Life (MindTap Course List)
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- Most ecosystems on Earth rely on sunlight as the primary energy source for the synthesis of organic compounds that living organisms need. Sunlight does not penetrate deep enough in the ocean to provide energy for organisms living near hydrothermal vents. How can these densely populated communities survive without energy from the sun? A. chemoheterotrophic bacteria convert organic compounds into carbon dioxide which is used by other organisms as an energy source B. chemoautotrophic bacteria harvest chemical energy from hydrogen sulfide and then provide the basis of food for the vent communities C. chemoheterotrophic bacteria harvest chemical energy from hydrogen sulfide and then provide the basis of food for the vent communities D. chemoautotrophic bacteria fix nitrogen which then is used as a source of energy for other organismsarrow_forwardNitrogen fixation is the processa. that converts organic nitrogen to NH3.b. by which plants and animals take up NO3–.c. by which bacteria convert NO3– to N2.d. by which N2 is converted to NH3 or NH4+.e. All of the above are true of nitrogen fixation.arrow_forwardIn a population of cyanobacteria (Chlorogloeopsis fritschii) in a hot spring in Iceland, some of the bacteria can produce chlorophyll f, while some C. fritschii produce only other types of chlorophylls. Chlorophyll f absorbs light outside of the visible light spectrum, namely near infrared light, allowing the bacteria to absorb light that has not been absorbed or reflected by the water or other organisms. The ability to produce chlorophyll f is heritable, and the bacteria with chlorophyll f can live in low-light environments, such as underneath other organisms, or near the bottom of the light-penetrating zone of the spring. What is the adaptation in this population of C. fritschii living in low-light environments? (Choose one.) a) the ability to produce chlorophyll f b) the ability to produce any type of chlorophyll c) the ability to tolerate the high temperatures of the hot spring d) the ability to survive and reproducearrow_forward
- discuss at least five different examples of extremophiles on Earth and discuss how they thrive in their special environments (or, each person can choose one extremophile to research and share with the rest of the group). Extrapolate these extreme survival abilities to the kinds of life that might be able to survive in the very different environments throughout our Solar System? Do you think that watery places like Europa or Enceladus would be a better environment to search for life as opposed to somewhere like the clouds of Venus? Why or why not? For more information on possible life in Venus' atmosphere,arrow_forwardWhat is one of the primary benefits of bioremediation? Group of answer choices A. to improve human health with the help of living organisms such as bacteria B. to clean up areas polluted with toxic compounds by using bacteria C. to improve soil quality for plant growth by using bacteria D. to improve bacteria for production of useful chemicalsarrow_forwardSoil-based nitrogen-fixing bacteria appear to be highly vulnerable to exposure to UV radiation. Suppose that the ozone level continues to be depleted, what are the long-term effects on the planet?arrow_forward
- Some bacteria have the ability to “fix” nitrogen. This means a. they convert ammonia into nitrites and nitrates. b. they convert atmospheric nitrogen gas into biologically useful forms of nitrogen. c. they break down nitrogen-rich compounds and release ammonium ions. d. they convert nitrate into nitrogen gas.arrow_forwardWhich of the following statement is INCORRECT?A. Bacteria can decompose organic nitrogen.B. Biological nitrogen fixation is carried out by bacteria.C. Ammonia, ammonium ion and nitrate ion are examples of biological availablenitrogen.D. Denitrifying bacteria converts atmospheric dinitrogen gas into nitrate ion.E. Nitrification is the process of converting reactive nitrogen into another form ofreactive nitrogen.arrow_forwardWhich of the following statements DOES NOT describe nitrogen fixing bacteria? A. Can be found only as a symbiotes associated with the root nodules of legumes. B. Maybe be present in soil. C. Converts atmospheric nitrogen to organic nitrogen. D. Composed of many species of bacteria.arrow_forward
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