terrestrial microbiology

• What is soil described as in terms of microbial habitat?

  A complex environment with diverse microhabitats
• How does climate affect microbial communities in soil?

  Each climate and soil type supports unique communities
• Where do microorganisms primarily live in soil?

  In pores, rhizoplane, and rhizosphere
• What is the rhizoplane?

  The root surface of plants
• What is the rhizosphere?

  The area around the root
• What role do mycorrhizal fungi play in soil?

  They are symbiotic with plants, exchanging nutrients
• What is subsurface microbiota?

  Microorganisms found in deep soil
• Why are soil microbes important for agriculture?

  They are essential for soil quality and nutrient cycling
• What is mineral soil characterized by?

  Less than 20% organic carbon
• What is organic soil characterized by?

  More than 20% organic carbon
• What is the role of Soil Organic Matter (SOM)?

  It retains nutrients, improves soil structure, and holds water
• What are the components that form Soil Organic Matter (SOM)?

  Microbial breakdown of sugars, proteins, and lignin
• Which microbes are key in forming Soil Organic Matter (SOM)?

  Streptomyces, Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Basidiomycete fungi
• How does SOM influence soil dynamics?

  It influences biological, chemical, and physical dynamics
• What is a common issue with nitrogen in soils?

  Soils often have limited N₂ availability
• What health risk is associated with nitrate contamination of water?

  It poses health risks to humans
• What environmental issue is caused by excess phosphorus runoff?

  Algal blooms, especially cyanobacteria
• What percentage of microbes do traditional culturing methods detect?

  About 1%
• What modern methods are used to study soil microorganisms?

  16S rRNA, 18S rRNA, and metagenomics
• Why is rRNA ideal for studying microorganisms?

  It is large, conserved, and universally distributed
• How can microbiomes be manipulated to combat climate change?

  By enhancing carbon storage and reducing emissions
• What are the vital roles of soil microbes?

  • Nutrient cycling
  • Soil structure maintenance
  • Ecosystem health support
• What are the types of soil and their characteristics?

  • Mineral Soil: <20% organic carbon
  • Organic Soil: >20% organic carbon, contains SOM
• What is the process of Soil Organic Matter (SOM) formation?

  1. Breakdown of soluble sugars & proteins
  2. Breakdown of complex carbohydrates (e.g. cellulose)
  3. Breakdown of resistant materials (e.g. lignin)
• What are the modern DNA sequencing tools used in soil microbiology?

  • 16S rRNA sequencing (prokaryotes)
  • 18S rRNA sequencing (eukaryotes)
  • Metagenomics (total DNA study)
• What are the impacts of climate change on soil microbiomes?

  • Microbiomes can enhance carbon storage
  • Microbiomes can reduce greenhouse gas emissions
• What type of bacteria is Streptomyces?

  Gram positive
• What compound does Streptomyces produce that causes odor?

  Geosmin
• Why is Streptomyces important in medicine?

  It produces important antibiotics
• Name one antibiotic produced by Streptomyces.

  Tetracycline
• What type of bacteria is Pseudomonas?

  Gram negative
• What is a key ecological role of Pseudomonas in the environment?

  Degrades many soluble compounds
• What is one way Pseudomonas contributes to bioremediation?

  By degrading toxic substances
• Which Pseudomonas species is known to be pathogenic?

  1. aeruginosa
• What infections can P. aeruginosa cause?

  UTI, burns, cystic fibrosis
• What type of bacteria is Bacillus?

  Gram positive rod
• What disease is caused by B. anthracis?

  Anthrax
• What is a health risk associated with B. cereus?

  Food intoxication
• What are Cyanobacteria commonly referred to as?

  Blue-green algae
• What type of cell structure do Cyanobacteria have?

  Prokaryotic