Describe the ways in which algae and fungi are useful microbes
What will be an ideal response?
Algae and fungi are useful both in the biosphere in general and to humans in particular. Because algae are photosynthetic, they are major contributors to Earth's oxygen supply; in fact, one group of algae (the diatoms) is Earth's major source of oxygen, simply because of their vast numbers. Algae are also a foundation of the biosphere's food chain in their role as plankton. Algae are a source of chemicals, such as agar and alginic acid, which can be used as thickening agents and emulsifiers in industrial products.
Similarly, fungi are useful on two levels. In nature, they serve as recyclers of organic molecules and help plants retrieve water and nutrients from the soil. For humans, fungi play an enormous role in the food industry (in the manufacture of cheeses, bread, alcoholic beverages, and other items) and in medicine (in the production of antibiotics and other drugs). Fungi have also been instrumental tools in genetic research.
Bloom's Taxonomy: Application
Section: Algae
Learning Outcome: 12.14, 12.25
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Indirect methods for measuring mutation rates make inferences from levels of genetic variation between and among ____________________
Fill in the blank(s) with correct word
Many studies of potentially useful new drugs involve the use of two groups of people: One group takes the drug and another group takes a placebo (like a sugar pill). Members of both groups do not know whether they are taking the drug or the placebo. What is the reason for designing these experiments this way?
What will be an ideal response?
The highest magnification generally used to study
cells is provided by the a. transmission electron microscope. b. compound light microscope. c. phase contrast microscope. d. scanning electron microscope. e. Nomarski process light microscope.
In Prokaryote genetics, Transformation can be defined as the:
A. Use of a bacteriophage (bacterial virus) to transfer DNA between cells. B. The correct answer is not listed. C. Direct transfer of DNA from one bacterial cell to another. D. Naked DNA is taken up from the environment by bacterial cells.