Environmental Microbiology MCQs January 8, 2026August 13, 2024 by u930973931_answers 50 min Score: 0 Attempted: 0/50 Subscribe 1. What is the term for microorganisms that thrive in extreme environmental conditions? (A) Pathogens (B) Extremophiles (C) Saprophytes (D) Halophiles 2. What is the primary role of microorganisms in biogeochemical cycles? (A) Nitrogen fixation (B) Photosynthesis (C) Respiration (D) Decomposition 3. Which type of microorganism is involved in nitrogen fixation in soil? (A) Fungi (B) Bacteria (C) Protozoa (D) Viruses 4. What is the process by which microorganisms break down organic matter in the environment? (A) Respiration (B) Photosynthesis (C) Fermentation (D) Decomposition 5. Which microorganism is commonly used in the treatment of wastewater due to its ability to degrade organic pollutants? (A) Fungi (B) Bacteria (C) Algae (D) Viruses 6. What is the role of mycorrhizal fungi in the ecosystem? (A) Nitrogen fixation (B) Pathogen control (C) Decomposing organic matter (D) Enhancing nutrient absorption for plants 7. What is the term for microorganisms that are adapted to high salt concentrations? (A) Thermophiles (B) Halophiles (C) Acidophiles (D) Psychrophiles 8. What is the term for the microorganisms that live in extreme temperatures, such as hot springs? (A) Thermophiles (B) Acidophiles (C) Halophiles (D) Psychrophiles 9. Which type of microorganism is primarily involved in the breakdown of cellulose in the environment? (A) Algae (B) Bacteria (C) Protozoa (D) Fungi 10. What is the term for the process where microorganisms convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia? (A) Ammonification (B) Nitrification (C) Denitrification (D) Nitrogen fixation 11. What is the process of converting ammonia into nitrites and nitrates in the soil? (A) Nitrogen fixation (B) Denitrification (C) Nitrification (D) Ammonification 12. What is the term for the conversion of nitrates back into atmospheric nitrogen by microorganisms? (A) Nitrogen fixation (B) Denitrification (C) Nitrification (D) Ammonification 13. Which microorganism is commonly used in bioremediation to degrade oil spills? (A) Bacteria (B) Fungi (C) Algae (D) Protozoa 14. What is the term for microorganisms that break down organic material in composting processes? (A) Consumers (B) Producers (C) Decomposers (D) Pathogens 15. What is the role of cyanobacteria in the environment? (A) Photosynthesis (B) Decomposition (C) Nitrogen fixation (D) Pathogen control 16. What is the primary role of microorganisms in the soil ecosystem? (A) Oxygen production (B) Pathogen control (C) Nutrient cycling (D) Carbon sequestration 17. What type of microorganism is used to clean up oil spills in bioremediation? (A) Nitrogen-fixing bacteria (B) Hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria (C) Photosynthetic bacteria (D) Lactic acid bacteria 18. What is the term for microorganisms that can live in extremely acidic environments? (A) Acidophiles (B) Alkaliphiles (C) Thermophiles (D) Halophiles 19. Which microorganism is often used in the production of antibiotics? (A) Protozoa (B) Algae (C) Actinomycetes (D) Viruses 20. What is the term for the study of microorganisms in natural and man-made environments? (A) Industrial microbiology (B) Medical microbiology (C) Environmental microbiology (D) Agricultural microbiology 21. What is the primary function of bacteria in the nitrogen cycle? (A) Photosynthesis (B) Nitrogen fixation (C) Respiration (D) Fermentation 22. What is the term for the microorganisms that thrive in cold temperatures? (A) Psychrophiles (B) Thermophiles (C) Acidophiles (D) Halophiles 23. Which microorganism is involved in the fermentation process of dairy products? (A) Candida (B) Bacillus (C) Aspergillus (D) Lactobacillus 24. What is the term for microorganisms that are used to degrade pollutants in the environment? (A) Pathogens (B) Bioremediation agents (C) Parasites (D) Symbionts 25. What is the role of fungi in nutrient cycling? (A) Oxygen production (B) Nitrogen fixation (C) Photosynthesis (D) Decomposition of organic matter 26. What is the term for the process where microorganisms convert organic matter into methane and carbon dioxide? (A) Aerobic respiration (B) Anaerobic digestion (C) Nitrogen fixation (D) Photosynthesis 27. What is the primary role of microorganisms in composting? (A) Decomposition (B) Photosynthesis (C) Nitrogen fixation (D) Pathogen control 28. Which microorganism is essential for the breakdown of lignin in plant material? (A) Bacteria (B) White-rot fungi (C) Protozoa (D) Algae 29. What is the term for microorganisms that are involved in the breakdown of pollutants in contaminated environments? (A) Saprophytes (B) Pathogens (C) Symbionts (D) Bioremediators 30. Which microorganism is used in the production of ethanol from plant materials? (A) Bacteria (B) Yeast (C) Algae (D) Fungi 31. What is the term for microorganisms that can survive in environments with very low pH? (A) Acidophiles (B) Alkaliphiles (C) Thermophiles (D) Halophiles 32. What is the term for microorganisms that can survive in environments with very high pH? (A) Alkaliphiles (B) Acidophiles (C) Thermophiles (D) Halophiles 33. What is the term for microorganisms that are used to break down toxic chemicals in contaminated environments? (A) Respiration (B) Decomposition (C) Photosynthesis (D) Bioremediation 34. What is the term for the process where microorganisms are used to remove contaminants from water or soil? (A) Bioremediation (B) Photosynthesis (C) Fermentation (D) Respiration 35. Which type of microorganism is used in the production of vinegar? (A) Mold (B) Lactic acid bacteria (C) Yeast (D) Acetic acid bacteria 36. What is the term for the process where microorganisms are used to enhance soil fertility? (A) Composting (B) Bioremediation (C) Soil inoculation (D) Fermentation 37. What is the term for microorganisms that help in the breakdown of organic matter in landfills? (A) Nitrogen-fixing bacteria (B) Methanogens (C) Photosynthetic bacteria (D) Pathogens 38. What is the term for microorganisms that live in environments with high levels of radiation? (A) Psychrophiles (B) Extremophiles (C) Thermophiles (D) Radioresistant microorganisms 39. Which microorganism is used to produce antibiotics such as penicillin? (A) Streptomyces (B) Lactobacillus (C) Escherichia coli (D) Penicillium 40. What is the term for the study of microorganisms in relation to human health? (A) Environmental microbiology (B) Medical microbiology (C) Industrial microbiology (D) Agricultural microbiology 41. What is the primary role of bacteria in the carbon cycle? (A) Respiration (B) Nitrogen fixation (C) Photosynthesis (D) Decomposition 42. Which type of microorganism is often found in extreme environments, such as hydrothermal vents? (A) Algae (B) Bacteria (C) Fungi (D) Archaea 43. What is the term for microorganisms that can survive without oxygen? (A) Anaerobes (B) Aerobes (C) Facultative anaerobes (D) Microaerophiles 44. Which microorganism is known for its role in producing lactic acid during fermentation? (A) Saccharomyces (B) Lactobacillus (C) Streptomyces (D) Penicillium 45. What is the term for the process by which microorganisms convert sugar into alcohol? (A) Photosynthesis (B) Respiration (C) Fermentation (D) Decomposition 46. What is the primary function of yeast in bread making? (A) Nitrogen fixation (B) Decomposition (C) Fermentation (D) Photosynthesis 47. Which microorganism is responsible for the spoilage of food? (A) Mold (B) Pathogenic bacteria (C) Yeast (D) Spoilage bacteria 48. What is the term for microorganisms that can cause disease? (A) Pathogens (B) Saprophytes (C) Symbionts (D) Autotrophs 49. What is the primary role of microorganisms in the nutrient cycle? (A) Decomposition (B) Photosynthesis (C) Nitrogen fixation (D) Oxygen production 50. Which microorganism is commonly used in the production of yogurt? (A) Lactobacillus bulgaricus (B) Escherichia coli (C) Streptococcus thermophilus (D) Penicillium