bacteria
Bacteria are prokaryotes, meaning their DNA is not enclosed inside a membrane-bound nucleus. This topic is part of Biology within Science & Nature. This page currently draws on 67 supporting questions, with answers and bonus facts available below.
bacteria trivia questions
Bacteria are single-celled organisms that lack what membrane-bound structure found in plant and animal cells?
Answer: A nucleus
Bonus fact: Bacteria are prokaryotes, meaning their DNA is not enclosed inside a membrane-bound nucleus.
What common bacterial shape is described by the term “coccus”?
Answer: Spherical
Bonus fact: Cocci are roughly spherical bacteria; bacilli are rod-shaped.
What process allows one bacterium to transfer DNA directly to another through cell-to-cell contact?
Answer: Conjugation
Bonus fact: Bacterial conjugation can transfer plasmids and other genetic material between cells.
In a freshwater aquarium, what beneficial bacteria process toxic ammonia into nitrite and then nitrate?
Answer: Nitrifying bacteria
Bonus fact: Biological filtration depends on nitrifying bacteria that help convert harmful nitrogen compounds.
What term describes the nitrogen-processing startup period needed to establish beneficial bacteria in a new aquarium?
Answer: Cycling
Bonus fact: Aquarium cycling establishes colonies of bacteria that convert ammonia and nitrite into less toxic nitrate.
Clover belongs to which plant family, known for many species that can host nitrogen-fixing bacteria?
Answer: Legume family
Bonus fact: Clovers are legumes and often form symbiotic relationships with nitrogen-fixing bacteria in root nodules.
What type of medicine kills or inhibits bacteria?
Answer: Antibiotic
Bonus fact: Antibiotics treat bacterial infections.
Bacteria lack what membrane-bound structure found in eukaryotic cells?
Answer: Nucleus
Bonus fact: Bacterial DNA is not enclosed in a membrane-bound nucleus.
What process do many bacteria use to reproduce by dividing into two cells?
Answer: Binary fission
Bonus fact: Binary fission produces two daughter cells.
What bacteria commonly live in root nodules of legumes and help fix nitrogen?
Answer: Rhizobium
Bonus fact: Rhizobium bacteria form symbiotic relationships with many legumes.
Legumes often improve soil by partnering with bacteria that fix what element?
Answer: Nitrogen
Bonus fact: Root-nodule bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms.
Vinegar is produced when bacteria convert alcohol into what?
Answer: Acetic acid
Bonus fact: Acetic acid bacteria oxidize ethanol.