Chapter 16: Microbial Life: Prokaryotes and Protists
Guided Reading Activities
Big idea: Prokaryotes
Answer the following questions as you read modules 16.1–16.11:
1. True or false: Harmful bacteria far outnumber beneficial bacteria. If false, make it a correct statement.
2. What do the organisms of the domains Archaea and Bacteria have in common?
3. A microbiologist looks into a microscope and sees the following bacterial cells. How would he characterize them according to shape?
Name ________________________ Period _________
4. Complete the Venn diagram that compares gram-positive bacteria to gram-negative bacteria.
5. Briefly describe the ways in which prokaryotic DNA differs from eukaryotic cells in terms of quantity of DNA, location, and so forth.
6. A resistant cell produced by some prokaryotes that resists harsh conditions is referred to as a(n) ____________.
7. An organism’s mode of nutrition is determined by ________________ and ________________.
8. Complete the following table, which compares the different modes of nutrition.
Photoautotrophs Photoheterotrophs Chemoautotrophs Chemoheterotrophs
Description
Example
9. A scientist discovers a new prokaryote that lives in the thermal ponds in Yellowstone National Park. Initial observations indicate that the organism contains a chlorophyll-like pigment, and an enzyme similar to what plants use to fix atmospheric CO2. What mode of nutrition does
this organism likely use?
10. Prokaryotes that have formed an organized colony that can adhere to almost any surface are known as a(n) ________________.
11. When you wake up each morning, your mouth has a filmy coating on its surfaces including your teeth. What is the primary reason why you brush your teeth as opposed to just rinsing your mouth with mouthwash?
12. True or false: Using bacteria to clean up a chemical spill is an example of bioremediation. If false, make it a correct statement.
14. Complete the Venn diagram that compares the characteristics of the domains Bacteria and Archaea.
Archaea Bacteria
15. True or false: Members of Archaea have a nucleus, which is the primary reason why they are so similar to eukaryotes. If false, make it a correct statement.
16. Which of the following types of Archaea are found in the digestive tracts of cattle? a. Halophiles
b. Methanogens c. Thermophiles d. Acidophiles
17. Complete the following table, which compares the different kinds of Archaea.
Halophiles Thermophiles Methanogens
Description
23. Robert Koch laid out what is known as “Koch’s postulates” that state what steps must be taken in order to say a particular bacterium is the cause of a disease. List the four postulates. 18. Bacteria that are all gram-negative and share rRNA sequences are known as ________________.
19. List three benefits/services provided by members of the proteobacteria group.
20. Which of the following groups of bacteria include members that perform plantlike photosynthesis?
a. Spirochetes b. Chlamydias c. Proteobacteria d. Cyanobacteria
21. True or false: Botulinum, the deadly poison, is used to relax facial muscles as a way of reducing wrinkles. If false, make it a correct statement.
22. Complete the Venn diagram that compares exotoxins to endotoxins.
Big idea: Protists
Answer the following questions as you read modules 16.12–16.19:
1. True or false: A protist is a prokaryotic organism that is not a plant, animal, or fungus. If false, make it a correct statement.
2. Match the following terms to their description: algae, parasites, mixotrophs, and protozoans. Can be multicellular and autotrophic: ____________
Can be either heterotrophic or autotrophic: ____________
Obtain their nutrition through an interaction with a host that harms the host: ____________
Are heterotrophic and usually consume bacteria or other protists: ____________
3. A current phylogenetic hypothesis about the classification of protists has them divided into four monophyletic groups. List the four groups.
4. The diversity of protists is truly staggering. Briefly explain how endosymbiosis led to much of this diversity.
5. Which is the only clade of the “SAR” supergroup that does not contain any autotrophs? a. Alveolata
b. Stramenopila c. Rhizaria
d. All of the clades contain autotrophs.
6. True or false: All members of Stramenopila are autotrophic. If false, make it a correct statement.
8. Many members of the supergroup Excavata contain modified ____________ that limit them to anaerobic means of ATP production.
9. Which of the following is not a mode of nutrition in excavates? a. Heterotrophy
b. Autotrophy c. Mixotrophy
d. All of the above are modes of nutrition found in excavates.
10. True or false: Unikonta is a grouping that includes amoebozoans and slime molds. If false, make it a correct statement.
11. Compare and contrast cellular slime molds with plasmodial slime molds.
12. Almost all of the members of Archaeplastida have what mode of nutrition?
13. List three commercially important products of red algae.
14. The life cycle of sea lettuce involves a(n) ____________ that undergoes meiosis to produce ______________ spores, while the ____________undergoes mitosis to produce ____________ gametes.
15. According to Figure 16.19B on page 337 of your textbook, what is the closest living protist relative to animals?
ConneCting the Big ideas
Use your knowledge of the information contained within this chapter’s “Big Ideas” to answer this question.
