Question 1

Reductive dechlorination is important in the breakdown of chlorinated xenobiotics because

Accepted Answer

A)  anoxic conditions develop rapidly in polluted habitats and reductive dechlorination can take place in these conditions. 
B)  reductive dechlorination breaks down all halogen compounds. 
C)  aerobic breakdown of xenobiotics is not possible under any circumstances. 
D)  these compounds do not leach into groundwater or sediment. 
A)  anoxic conditions develop rapidly in polluted habitats and reductive dechlorination can take place in these conditions. 
B)  reductive dechlorination breaks down all halogen compounds. 
C)  aerobic breakdown of xenobiotics is not possible under any circumstances. 
D)  these compounds do not leach into groundwater or sediment.

Question 2

Which of the following is the first, or initiator, reaction in acid mine drainage and leaching?

Accepted Answer

A)  oxidation of reduced sulfides to sulfate and the release of reduced iron (Fe²⁺) 
B)  rapid spontaneous reduction of oxidized iron (Fe³⁺) 
C)  rapid oxidation of sulfides to sulfate by oxidized iron (Fe³⁺) 
D)  microbial sulfate reduction 
A)  oxidation of reduced sulfides to sulfate and the release of reduced iron (Fe²⁺) 
B)  rapid spontaneous reduction of oxidized iron (Fe³⁺) 
C)  rapid oxidation of sulfides to sulfate by oxidized iron (Fe³⁺) 
D)  microbial sulfate reduction

Question 3

Which statement BEST describes sewage and wastewater?

Accepted Answer

A)  Wastewater is a subset of sewage. 
B)  Sewage is a subset of wastewater. 
C)  Wastewater and sewage are virtually synonymous. 
D)  Wastewater and sewage are both subsets of all liquid effluents from domestic and industrial sources. 
A)  Wastewater is a subset of sewage. 
B)  Sewage is a subset of wastewater. 
C)  Wastewater and sewage are virtually synonymous. 
D)  Wastewater and sewage are both subsets of all liquid effluents from domestic and industrial sources.

Question 4

Fungi are the main contributor to the biodeterioration of stone building materials and concrete wastewater distribution systems.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 5

Why are some xenobiotics biodegraded slower than crude oil and petroleum products?

Accepted Answer

A)  Xenobiotics were designed to inhibit microbial growth. 
B)  Some xenobiotics are novel compounds that differ from naturally occurring chemicals, thus microorganisms have not yet evolved to effectively degrade them. 
C)  Only cometabolic microbial processes degrade xenobiotics. 
D)  Chlorinated compounds are so toxic that biodegradation is not possible. 
A)  Xenobiotics were designed to inhibit microbial growth. 
B)  Some xenobiotics are novel compounds that differ from naturally occurring chemicals, thus microorganisms have not yet evolved to effectively degrade them. 
C)  Only cometabolic microbial processes degrade xenobiotics. 
D)  Chlorinated compounds are so toxic that biodegradation is not possible.

Question 6

Potable water is NOT safe for human consumption.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 7

Which group of organisms is thought to be responsible for the corrosion of submerged metal structures and pipelines?

Accepted Answer

A)  fermentative microorganisms 
B)  acidophilic iron-oxidizers 
C)  sulfate reducers 
D)  hydrocarbon-degrading anaerobes 
A)  fermentative microorganisms 
B)  acidophilic iron-oxidizers 
C)  sulfate reducers 
D)  hydrocarbon-degrading anaerobes

Question 8

Which of the following hydrocarbon compounds are most recalcitrant to degradation during bioremediation, meaning that they stay in the environment longer than the others?

Accepted Answer

A)  straight-chain hydrocarbons 
B)  methane 
C)  polycyclic hydrocarbons 
D)  natural gases such as ethane and propane 
A)  straight-chain hydrocarbons 
B)  methane 
C)  polycyclic hydrocarbons 
D)  natural gases such as ethane and propane

Question 9

Inorganic pollutants such as metals and radionuclides can be completely destroyed through bioremediation.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 10

Aerobic secondary treatment is usually best for ________ wastewater.

Accepted Answer

A)  industrial 
B)  agricultural 
C)  residential 
D)  chemical 
A)  industrial 
B)  agricultural 
C)  residential 
D)  chemical

Question 11

Which treatment method(s) are used in primary wastewater treatment?

Accepted Answer

A)  biological 
B)  chemical 
C)  physical separation 
D)  biological, chemical, and physical separation 
A)  biological 
B)  chemical 
C)  physical separation 
D)  biological, chemical, and physical separation

Question 12

Although the sulfate-reducing bacteria are thought to be critical in the corrosion of metal structures, the mechanism of metal corrosion is not well understood.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 13

most wastewater treatment facilities employ methods designed to detect each pathogenic organism that may be present in a given sample.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

BOTH physical and chemical methods are used to treat and purify drinking water.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 15

Compare the operation and function of a trickling filter system and activated sludge.

Accepted Answer

Both systems are used as a secondary aer

Question 16

Organisms that degrade hydrocarbons in crude oil are ubiquitous in the environment and have evolved special strategies, such as surfactant production, that allow them to readily use hydrocarbons as electron donors and carbon sources.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 17

Secondary treatment may be aerobic or anoxic.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 18

Opportunistic pathogens such as Legionella, Pseudomonas, and Mycobacterium species have the ability to grow within ________, which may enhance their ability to survive in water distribution systems.

Accepted Answer

A)  human saliva 
B)  fish 
C)  protists 
D)  UV irradiated water 
A)  human saliva 
B)  fish 
C)  protists 
D)  UV irradiated water

Question 19

Reductive dechlorination is a process in which

Accepted Answer

A)  oxygenase enzymes are used to add oxygen to chlorinated compounds. 
B)  chlorinated organics are used as terminal electron acceptors in anaerobic respiration, releasing chloride. 
C)  carbon dioxide is the primary end product. 
D)  only dichlorocompounds can be degraded. 
A)  oxygenase enzymes are used to add oxygen to chlorinated compounds. 
B)  chlorinated organics are used as terminal electron acceptors in anaerobic respiration, releasing chloride. 
C)  carbon dioxide is the primary end product. 
D)  only dichlorocompounds can be degraded.

Question 20

Effluent water is wastewater

Accepted Answer

A)  discharged from the pharmaceutical, plastics, and petrochemical industries. 
B)  discharged from the wastewater treatment facility. 
C)  that has undergone anoxic secondary wastewater treatment. 
D)  that is imported to the wastewater treatment facility for treatment. 
A)  discharged from the pharmaceutical, plastics, and petrochemical industries. 
B)  discharged from the wastewater treatment facility. 
C)  that has undergone anoxic secondary wastewater treatment. 
D)  that is imported to the wastewater treatment facility for treatment.

Exam 22: Microbiology of the Built Environment

Reductive dechlorination is important in the breakdown of chlorinated xenobiotics because

Which of the following is the first, or initiator, reaction in acid mine drainage and leaching?

Which statement BEST describes sewage and wastewater?

Fungi are the main contributor to the biodeterioration of stone building materials and concrete wastewater distribution systems.

Why are some xenobiotics biodegraded slower than crude oil and petroleum products?

Potable water is NOT safe for human consumption.

Which group of organisms is thought to be responsible for the corrosion of submerged metal structures and pipelines?

Which of the following hydrocarbon compounds are most recalcitrant to degradation during bioremediation, meaning that they stay in the environment longer than the others?

Inorganic pollutants such as metals and radionuclides can be completely destroyed through bioremediation.

Aerobic secondary treatment is usually best for ________ wastewater.

Which treatment method(s) are used in primary wastewater treatment?

Although the sulfate-reducing bacteria are thought to be critical in the corrosion of metal structures, the mechanism of metal corrosion is not well understood.

most wastewater treatment facilities employ methods designed to detect each pathogenic organism that may be present in a given sample.

BOTH physical and chemical methods are used to treat and purify drinking water.

Compare the operation and function of a trickling filter system and activated sludge.

Organisms that degrade hydrocarbons in crude oil are ubiquitous in the environment and have evolved special strategies, such as surfactant production, that allow them to readily use hydrocarbons as electron donors and carbon sources.

Secondary treatment may be aerobic or anoxic.

Opportunistic pathogens such as Legionella, Pseudomonas, and Mycobacterium species have the ability to grow within ________, which may enhance their ability to survive in water distribution systems.

Reductive dechlorination is a process in which

Effluent water is wastewater

The Microbial World

Microbial Cell Structure and Function

Microbial Metabolism

Molecular Information Flow and Protein Processing

Microbial Growth and Its Control

Microbial Regulatory Systems

Molecular Biology of Microbial Growth

Viruses and Their Replication

Microbial Systems Biology

Viral Genomics, Diversity, and Ecology

Genetics of Bacteria and Archaea

Biotechnology and Synthetic Biology

Microbial Evolution and Systematics

Metabolic Diversity of Microorganisms

Functional Diversity of Microorganisms

Diversity of Bacteria

Diversity of Archaea

Diversity of Microbial Eukarya

Taking the Measure of Microbial Systems

Microbial Ecosystems

Nutrient Cycles

Microbial Symbioses

Microbial Symbioses with Humans

Microbial Infection and Pathogenesis

Innate Immunity: Broadly Specific Host Defenses

Adaptive Immunity: Highly Specific Host Defenses

Clinical Microbiology and Immunology

Epidemiology

Person-to-Person Bacterial and Viral Diseases

Vectorborne and Soilborne Bacterial and Viral Diseases

Waterborne and Foodborne Bacterial and Viral Diseases

Eukaryotic Pathogens: Fungi, Protozoans, and Helminths

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