Explain why coliforms are used to detect water contamination rather than directly quantifying individual pathogens such as Vibrio cholerae or Salmonella spp

What will be an ideal response?


Answer: Coliforms, such as Escherichia coli, are detected in water samples to indicate the potential contamination of human or other animal feces. Because coliforms are shed in animal fecal matter, higher E. coli concentrations in water also suggest high numbers of other animal-related fecal borne pathogens present. The rapid growth rate of E. coli provides quick results.

Biology & Microbiology

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Short tandem repeats (STRs)

A. are useful in identifying specific individuals. B. are important sites in vectors where foreign DNA can be integrated. C. are errors that can arise during DNA sequencing. D. are DNA fragments generated during PCR.

Biology & Microbiology

Which of the following paris of functional groups characterizes the structure of an amino acid?

A. -N-H-H and -C=O-R B. -C=O-Oh and -N-H-H C. -C=O-OH and -C=O-R D. -OH and -N-H-H E. -C-O-O-H and -N-H-H

Biology & Microbiology

Why are receptors on the cell surface necessary for bacterial movement?

a. The receptors actually spin the flagella. b. The receptors sense the stimulus and send signals to the flagella. c. The bacterium contains receptors that are sensitive to light. d. The receptors physically alter shape to steer the bacterium.

Biology & Microbiology

Which of the following is the most abundant protein in human blood plasma?

a. human serum albumin b. fibrinogen c. gamma globulin d. transferrin

Biology & Microbiology