Marine Microbes (Smithsonian)

Which of the following is NOT a type of microbe found in the ocean?

• Bacteria

• Archaea

• Viruses

• Plants

What percentage of the weight of all living organisms in the ocean is made up of microbes?

• 10%

• 30%

• 50%

• 90%

What is the role of microbes in ecosystems?

• They provide food and nutrients

• They defend against disease

• They clean the ocean of waste

• All of the above

Where can microbes be found in the ocean?

• Water column

• Seafloor

• Biofilms

• All of the above

Which of the following is NOT a way in which microbes obtain energy?

• Photosynthesis

• Chemical reactions

• Consuming other bacteria

• Hunting prey

What is the main difference between bacteria and archaea?

• Bacteria are larger than archaea

• Archaea can tolerate extreme environments

• Bacteria are more abundant in the ocean

• Archaea are photosynthetic

What is the basic anatomy of a virus?

• Protein casing and genetic material

• Cell membrane and ribosomes

• Nucleus and mitochondria

• Cell wall and chloroplasts

Where are viruses most likely to infect bacteria in the ocean?

• Sunlit portion of the water column

• Deep ocean trenches

• Coral reefs

• Hydrothermal vents

What is the main characteristic of protists?

• They are multicellular organisms

• They have organelles like plants and animals

• They are the largest type of microbe

• They are only found in extreme environments