Class 12 Biology MCQ – Microbes in Human Welfare

1. Which of the following microbes is used in the production of bread?

a) Saccharomyces cerevisiae
b) Lactobacillus
c) Acetobacter
d) Pseudomonas

Answer:

a) Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Explanation:

Saccharomyces cerevisiae, commonly known as baker's yeast, is used for fermenting the dough in bread-making.

2. The process of converting milk into yogurt is facilitated by:

a) Molds
b) Viruses
c) Bacteria
d) Protozoa

Answer:

c) Bacteria

Explanation:

Lactic acid bacteria ferment lactose in milk to produce yogurt.

3. Which microorganism is employed in the production of biogas?

a) Algae
b) Fungi
c) Methanogens
d) Cyanobacteria

Answer:

c) Methanogens

Explanation:

Methanogens are archaea that produce methane, a major component of biogas.

4. The biocontrol agent Trichoderma is a:

a) Bacterium
b) Virus
c) Fungus
d) Alga

Answer:

c) Fungus

Explanation:

Trichoderma is a genus of fungi known for its biocontrol properties against certain plant pathogens.

5. Which organism is used in the treatment of sewage water?

a) Escherichia coli
b) Rhizobium
c) Anaerobic sludge
d) Chlorella

Answer:

c) Anaerobic sludge

Explanation:

Anaerobic bacteria present in sludge break down organic waste during sewage treatment.

6. The production of Swiss cheese involves the activity of:

a) Lactobacillus
b) Propionibacterium
c) Streptococcus
d) Bacillus

Answer:

b) Propionibacterium

Explanation:

Propionibacterium produces CO2 during fermentation, leading to the characteristic holes in Swiss cheese.

7. The Penicillin antibiotic is obtained from:

a) Penicillium chrysogenum
b) Agaricus
c) Rhizopus
d) Aspergillus

Answer:

a) Penicillium chrysogenum

Explanation:

The antibiotic penicillin is derived from the fungus Penicillium chrysogenum.

8. Which of the following microbes helps in nitrogen fixation in legume roots?

a) Clostridium
b) Rhizobium
c) Nitrosomonas
d) Nostoc

Answer:

b) Rhizobium

Explanation:

Rhizobium forms a symbiotic association with leguminous plants and fixes atmospheric nitrogen.

9. Bioremediation refers to:

a) Using microbes to produce biofuels
b) Using microbes to clean up pollutants
c) Using microbes in food fermentation
d) Using microbes to control pests

Answer:

b) Using microbes to clean up pollutants

Explanation:

Bioremediation involves utilizing living organisms, mainly microbes, to detoxify environmental contaminants.

10. Which of the following is a biofertilizer?

a) Urea
b) Cyanobacteria
c) Insecticides
d) Potash

Answer:

b) Cyanobacteria

Explanation:

Cyanobacteria have the ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen and thereby enrich soil fertility.

11. The enzyme 'invertase' used in the preparation of invert sugar syrup is obtained from:

a) Bacteria
b) Yeast
c) Algae
d) Virus

Answer:

b) Yeast

Explanation:

Yeasts produce the enzyme invertase which hydrolyzes sucrose into glucose and fructose.

12. Which of the following microorganisms is used for cleaning up oil spills?

a) Alcanivorax borkumensis
b) Saccharomyces cerevisiae
c) Lactobacillus acidophilus
d) Clostridium botulinum

Answer:

a) Alcanivorax borkumensis

Explanation:

Alcanivorax borkumensis is known to feed on hydrocarbons and is used in bioremediation of oil spills.

13. The bacterium that helps in fermenting cocoa during chocolate production is:

a) Acetobacter
b) Leuconostoc
c) Lactobacillus
d) Streptococcus

Answer:

b) Leuconostoc

Explanation:

Leuconostoc species contribute to the fermentation of cocoa beans, a crucial step in chocolate production.

14. Bt cotton contains a gene from:

a) Bacillus thuringiensis
b) Agrobacterium tumefaciens
c) Escherichia coli
d) Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Answer:

a) Bacillus thuringiensis

Explanation:

Bt cotton contains a toxin-producing gene from Bacillus thuringiensis that protects against certain pests.

15. The microbe used in the preparation of vinegar from alcohol is:

a) Acetobacter aceti
b) Saccharomyces cerevisiae
c) Lactobacillus
d) Propionibacterium

Answer:

a) Acetobacter aceti

Explanation:

Acetobacter aceti oxidizes ethanol to acetic acid, producing vinegar.

16. The "Tempeh" food product is prepared by fermenting:

a) Milk
b) Soybeans
c) Grapes
d) Rice

Answer:

b) Soybeans

Explanation:

Tempeh is an Indonesian product made from fermented soybeans using fungi.

17. Which of the following is NOT a role of microbes in human welfare?

a) Nitrogen fixation
b) Pollution control
c) Food spoilage
d) Drug production

Answer:

c) Food spoilage

Explanation:

While microbes have many beneficial roles, food spoilage is a negative consequence of microbial activity.

18. Lactic acid fermentation is carried out by:

a) Algae
b) Yeasts
c) Bacteria
d) Molds

Answer:

c) Bacteria

Explanation:

Lactic acid bacteria ferment sugars to produce lactic acid.

19. Statins, a group of drugs used to lower cholesterol levels, are produced by:

a) Bacteria
b) Fungi
c) Algae
d) Viruses

Answer:

b) Fungi

Explanation:

Statins are derived from certain fungi, including species of the genus Penicillium.

20. Which of the following is used in the biological control of mosquitoes?

a) Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis
b) Escherichia coli
c) Aspergillus niger
d) Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Answer:

a) Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis

Explanation:

This specific variety of Bacillus thuringiensis produces toxins that are lethal to mosquito larvae.

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