Bacterianew Answers
Bacterianew Answers
Purpose: In this WebQuest, the goal is to gain insight into the overall role
bacteria plays in relation to humankind. You will be directed to “click” down a pre-
planned trail of discovery. It is important that you follow the trail. This will aid you in
realizing your goal to discover the good and evil roles bacteria plays in the survival and
demise of humankind.
Process: Use the links below to find the answers to the following questions.
Evolution- http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/bacteria/bacteria.html
Ecology- http://www.microbeworld.org/
2. Where are bacteria found? Give 5 examples of where bacteria are found.
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Bacteria: Good and Evil
Name ___________________ Date ___________ Period __________ Score ______
Classification
http://www.microbeworld.org/microbes/archaea/default.aspx
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/archaea/archaea.html
http://www.biology.arizona.edu/cell_bio/tutorials/pev/page2.html
They live in extreme environments, can make proteins, but have bacteria like
genes
Kingdom Bacteria.
http://biology.clc.uc.edu/courses/bio106/bacteria.htm
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/bacteria/bacteriamm.html
6. Bacteria have three possible shapes. Name each shape and draw a picture of each.
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/bacteria/bacteriamm.html
http://www.cellsalive.com/cells/bactcell.htm#surface
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Bacteria: Good and Evil
Name ___________________ Date ___________ Period __________ Score ______
7. Draw and label a picture of the bacteria cell.
9. What is the difference between a gram positive and gram negative bacteria?
Gram positive would show a purple color when stained, gram negative do not
show the color
10. How does the cell wall of a gram positive and gram negative bacteria differ?
The cell wall of gram positive has more peptidoglycan proteins while gram
negative have none or low amounts.
Reproduction- https://micro.cornell.edu/research/epulopiscium/binary-fission-
and-other-forms-reproduction-bacteria
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Bacteria: Good and Evil
Name ___________________ Date ___________ Period __________ Score ______
How do bacteria get their energy?-
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/bacteria/bacterialh.html
11. How do heterotrophic bacteria get their energy? What do these bacteria feed on?
The ecosystem, both on land and in the water, depends heavily upon the activity
of bacteria. The cycling of nutrients such as carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur is
completed by their ceaseless labor.
14. Explain the role of each of the following and how bacteria are involved in each.
a. Decomposition
Breakdown of dead organisms and the release of nutrients back into the
environment
Nitogren fixing bacteria take nitrogen from the air and put it into soil for
fertilizer
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Bacteria: Good and Evil
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c. Nitrogen fixation
d. Denitrification bacteria can be harmful and take out the nitrogen from the soil
and make it bad for crops
Now that you know some intimate details about bacteria, let's explore "the good,
the bad, and the ugly" issues of bacteria.
15. Go to Bugs in the News. Click on "What the Heck is E. coli? Read the article and
answer the following questions. http://people.ku.edu/~igmdoc/whatheck.html
b. Compare the "good and evil" E. coli. The good thrive in our bodies and help “us”
digest and absorb nutrients, the bad can cause disease and diarrhea
c. How do we acquire "good" E. coli? We get these bacteria after we are born
e. How do we keep the good and avoid the evil? –wash hands and food
16. Now we will follow the Internet trail to Microbe Zoo. Visit each of the main attractions at
the zoo and complete the activities below. http://commtechlab.msu.edu/sites/dlc-me/zoo/
Go to Dirtland: Select Root Cellar. Scroll down to Nitrogen Fixers. Explain how
the bacteria Rhizobia helps plants make protein.
They convert nitrogen in the air to ammonia which helps the plants make
proteins
Go to Animal Pavilion: Select Poo Corner. Discuss how human fecal matter is
recycled so that humans are not buried in their own waste. The bacteria can be
used in septic tanks, and sewage treatment plants
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Bacteria: Good and Evil
Name ___________________ Date ___________ Period __________ Score ______
Go to Snack Bar. Discuss the role of bacteria and other microbes in at least five
different foods you eat. Yeast for bread, beer, and wine, lactis bacillis for
chocolate, and yogurt
17. Go to Microbe World, Every Day Roles, and click on the pictures to find 8 more
good things that bacteria do! List your findings. http://www.microbeworld.org/