Soil Science Quiz

What is the primary function of organisms like earthworms, bacteria, and fungi in the soil?

• To produce oxygen

• To decompose organic matter

• To consume living plant roots

• To create sandy soil

What is the name given to bacteria and archaea because they lack a nucleus?

• Eukaryotes

• Prokaryotes

• Multicellular

• Anaerobes

Which soil type is considered the most balanced for plant growth?

• Sandy

• Clay

• Loamy

• Silty

What is the importance of a high surface-to-volume ratio in bacteria and archaea?

• It helps them to move quickly

• It allows for efficient nutrient and waste exchange

• It protects them from predators

• It helps them to stick together

Which of the following is a macronutrient essential for plant growth?

• Sodium

• Nitrogen

• Iron

• Calcium

What is the role of bacteria in nitrogen fixation?

• Convert ammonia to nitrogen gas

• Convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form for plants

• Break down dead organic matter

• Increase soil pH

How do plants contribute to the soil ecosystem?

• By competing with microorganisms for nutrients

• By providing nutrients and shelter to soil organisms

• By causing soil erosion

• By releasing toxins into the soil

What is the main disadvantage of the phenotypic classification of bacteria and archaea?

• It is very expensive.

• It is restricted to cultured microorganisms and may not reflect phylogenetic relationships.

• It requires complex DNA analysis.

• It is very time-consuming.

What is the composition of archaeal cell walls?

• Peptidoglycan

• Chitin

• Pseudomurein

• Cellulose

Which of the following is true about the evolutionary history of bacteria and archaea?

• They evolved after plants and animals

• They have less diverse metabolisms than larger organisms

• Their evolution has occurred over billions of years, leading to highly diversified metabolisms

• They originated in modern soils