Download StudyGuideforBI234Exam2

Study Guide for BI 234 Exam 2
Chapter 6
1. Know how organisms can be classified based on their carbon, energy, and
electron sources.
2. Know how organisms can be classified based on their oxygen requirements, and
why some organisms can tolerate toxic forms of oxygen while others cannot.
3. Discuss the relationship between nitrogen in the atmosphere (N2), usable
nitrogen (NH3), and nitrogen fixing bacteria
4. Know what nitrogen is used for by organisms
5. Understand how trace elements and growth factors can be limiting factors for
bacterial growth
6. Know why bacteria growth is dependent upon temperature (minimum, optimal,
maximum)
7. Describe the four types of “philes” based on temperature, and why they are
found at those temperatures.
8. Describe the three types of “philes” based on pH, and why they are found at
those pH’s
9. Understand how osmotic pressure can effect where a microorganism can grow
(cell bursting or plasmolysis)
10. Know what environment barophiles would be found, and why.
11. Describe the types of close relationships microorganisms can be a part of
(antagonistic, synergistic, symbiotic)
12. Describe biofilms, understand how quorum sensing affects gene expression and
the effects of biofilms on healthcare
13. Know the terminology of culturing microorganism (inoculum, medium, broth,
pure cultures, CFU, incubation)
14. Understand the importance of using universal precautions when transporting
patient samples
15. Describe the importance of obtaining a pure culture for clinical specimens
16. Describe the streak plate technique. Describe the pour plate technique. What is
the goal for each of these techniques?
17. Understand the differences between the culture media discussed in class
(defined, complex, selective, differential, anaerobic, and transport) and their
uses.
18. Describe the difference between arithmetic and logarithmic growth.
19. Be able to calculate the number of cells in a population if given the number of
starting cells and generations : (2n)
20. Describe the phases of microbial growth, and what is taking place at each phase.
21. Describe the direct and indirect methods of measuring microbial growth
Use this study guide, the textbook, your lecture notes, and plenty of quality study time to
properly prepare for the exam.
Chapter 7
1. Describe the structure of DNA and RNA (bases, backbone, orientation, location in
cell)
2. Describe the prokaryotic chromosome and plasmids
3. Understand the operon model of transcriptional control in prokaryotes
4. Know the difference between an inducible and repressible operon.
5. Be able to describe and understand the lactose operon and the tryptophan
operon.
6. Define mutation and describe the various types of mutations and their effects
7. Understand what constitutes a mutagen, and know examples of mutagens
discussed in class.
8. Describe various types of DNA repair (thymine dimers, base-excision, mismatch,
SOS response)
9. Describe and understand positive and negative selection for isolating mutants.
10. Describe and understand the Ames test for identifying carcinogens.
11. Understand the difference between horizontal gene transfer and vertical gene
transfer.
12. Describe and understand the process of transformation
13. Describe and understand the process of transduction
14. Describe and understand the process of bacterial conjugation (including F factor,
F+ cells, F- cells, and HFR cells)
15. Describe and understand transposons and transposition
Chapter 8
1. Define biotechnology and recombinant DNA technology
2. Identify the three main goals of recombinant DNA technology
3. Describe and understand how scientists use mutagens to manipulate bacterial
populations
4. Describe what reverse transcriptase is, and its use in biotechnology.
5. Describe how nucleic acids can be synthesized, and how they are used in
biotechnology.
6. Explain where restriction enzymes come from, and their actions and uses.
7. Define a vector, and describe and understand its use in genetic manipulation.
8. Understand and describe the process of PCR
9. Understand and describe the processes of gel electrophoresis and Southern blot.
Use this study guide, the textbook, your lecture notes, and plenty of quality study time to
properly prepare for the exam.