#1
Who is considered the father of microbiology?
Antonie van Leeuwenhoek
ExplanationPioneer in microscopy, discovered microorganisms.
#2
Who discovered penicillin, the first antibiotic?
Alexander Fleming
ExplanationAccidentally discovered the antibiotic penicillin.
#3
Who first proposed the concept of spontaneous generation, suggesting that life could arise from non-living matter?
Aristotle
ExplanationAncient Greek philosopher's idea later disproven by Louis Pasteur.
#4
Who developed the first successful smallpox vaccine?
Edward Jenner
ExplanationIntroduced the first vaccine against smallpox.
#5
Who is credited with the discovery of the structure of DNA?
Francis Crick
ExplanationDiscovered DNA's double helix structure with James Watson.
#6
Which scientist proposed the germ theory of disease?
Louis Pasteur
ExplanationProposed that microorganisms cause diseases.
#7
What is the primary function of a bacteriophage?
Infecting bacteria
ExplanationViruses that infect and replicate within bacteria.
#8
Which microorganism is responsible for causing malaria?
Plasmodium falciparum
ExplanationParasitic protozoan transmitted by mosquitoes.
#9
What is the function of CRISPR-Cas9 in microbiology?
Bacterial defense mechanism
ExplanationGenome editing tool derived from bacterial immune systems.
#10
Which scientist discovered the first antibiotic produced by a microorganism?
Selman Waksman
ExplanationDiscovered streptomycin, an antibiotic produced by soil bacteria.
#11
What is the main function of a plasmid in microbiology?
Store genetic material
ExplanationCircular DNA molecules often used in genetic engineering.
#12
Which microbiologist developed the first successful polio vaccine?
Jonas Salk
ExplanationIntroduced the first effective vaccine against polio.
#13
What is the main purpose of Gram staining in microbiology?
Classifying bacteria
ExplanationDistinguishes bacteria into two groups based on cell wall properties.
#14
Who formulated Koch's postulates for establishing the cause of infectious diseases?
Robert Koch
ExplanationCriteria for determining causative relationship between microorganism and disease.
#15
What is the significance of the microbial nitrogen cycle in ecosystems?
Converts nitrogen gas into ammonia
ExplanationCritical process for recycling nitrogen in ecosystems.
#16
Who discovered the first virus?
Dmitri Ivanovsky
ExplanationRussian biologist who observed the tobacco mosaic virus.
#17
What is the primary function of microbial fermentation?
Produce alcohol and organic acids
ExplanationProcess used by microorganisms to produce energy anaerobically.