Biotechnology: Microbiology & Cell Culture
(Biotech Series)
Chapter 3 Guided Reading
As you prepare for the chapter three quizzes, please consider the following questions to
guide your reading. Remember that the PowerPoint for this chapter can be found in the
“Biotechnology Textbook PowerPoints” folder, or if you are viewing this document
electronically click here for the online version. You will need to use the PowerPoint as a
resource to review what you have read, but not as the sole source of information.
Part 1 (questions 1-10)
1. What is Microbiology? Why is it important to understand microbes in biotechnology?
2. List the three domains of life. Which domain is the most diverse?
3. Describe at least three different examples of how microorganisms have changed the course of history.
4. What is the purpose of Koch’s postulates?
5. Describe the genetic structure of bacteria. Sketch a bacterium and indicate the gDNA and plasmids.
6. What is gram staining and how does it work to differentiate among bacteria species?
7. How are bacteria named? What are the three types of bacterial morphologies?
8. Describe six different types of bacterial environments.
9. Describe in the correct order, the steps that are used to produce recombinant proteins in prokaryotes?
10. How are biotechnology and microbes used in food production?