Q.1 Which technology has most recently advanced microbial genome sequencing?
Sanger sequencing
Next-generation sequencing (NGS)
Southern blotting
PCR only
Explanation - NGS provides rapid, high-throughput sequencing, making it superior to older methods like Sanger sequencing for whole-genome analysis of microbes.
Correct answer is: Next-generation sequencing (NGS)
Q.2 CRISPR-Cas systems were first discovered in which type of organism?
Fungi
Bacteria
Algae
Viruses
Explanation - CRISPR was first identified in bacteria as an adaptive immune defense against viral infections.
Correct answer is: Bacteria
Q.3 What is the main advantage of metagenomics in microbial research?
It requires pure cultures
It sequences only viruses
It allows study of unculturable microbes
It replaces microscopy completely
Explanation - Metagenomics enables scientists to analyze microbial communities directly from environmental samples without the need for culture.
Correct answer is: It allows study of unculturable microbes
Q.4 Which recent tool is commonly used for editing microbial genomes with precision?
CRISPR-Cas9
Western blot
ELISA
Mass spectrometry
Explanation - CRISPR-Cas9 allows precise editing of microbial genomes, advancing microbiology research and applications.
Correct answer is: CRISPR-Cas9
Q.5 What is microbiome research primarily focused on?
Study of single isolated microbes
Interactions within microbial communities
Only pathogenic bacteria
Only fungal spores
Explanation - Microbiome research studies microbial communities in environments such as the human gut, skin, and soil.
Correct answer is: Interactions within microbial communities
Q.6 Which microbiology advancement helps track the spread of antibiotic resistance globally?
RNA sequencing
Whole genome sequencing
Flow cytometry
Gel electrophoresis
Explanation - Whole genome sequencing helps identify resistance genes and track their spread across microbial populations worldwide.
Correct answer is: Whole genome sequencing
Q.7 Which approach is used in microbiology to study protein interactions in microbes?
Metabolomics
Proteomics
Transcriptomics
Genomics
Explanation - Proteomics involves the large-scale study of microbial proteins, giving insights into function and interactions.
Correct answer is: Proteomics
Q.8 The use of AI in microbiology is helping mainly in what area?
Manual microscopy
Drug discovery and pathogen prediction
Gram staining
Basic culture techniques
Explanation - AI tools process large datasets, enabling rapid drug discovery and prediction of pathogen behavior.
Correct answer is: Drug discovery and pathogen prediction
Q.9 Which microbial technology is being used to produce biofuels?
Synthetic biology
ELISA
Immunofluorescence
Western blotting
Explanation - Synthetic biology manipulates microbial pathways to produce biofuels and other valuable products.
Correct answer is: Synthetic biology
Q.10 What is the primary goal of microbial synthetic biology?
To observe microbes under microscopes
To design microbes for useful functions
To eliminate all bacteria
To only classify bacteria
Explanation - Synthetic biology allows engineering microbes for tasks such as medicine production, waste degradation, or biofuel synthesis.
Correct answer is: To design microbes for useful functions
Q.11 What technology has advanced the study of microbial metabolites?
Mass spectrometry
PCR
Gram staining
ELISA
Explanation - Mass spectrometry allows detailed analysis of microbial metabolites in metabolomics research.
Correct answer is: Mass spectrometry
Q.12 What role do bacteriophages play in recent microbiology research?
They are ignored
They are used as alternatives to antibiotics
They are only studied in labs
They are dangerous toxins
Explanation - Phage therapy is being explored as a treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections.
Correct answer is: They are used as alternatives to antibiotics
Q.13 Which area benefits most from microbiome studies?
Astronomy
Medicine and health
Geology
Architecture
Explanation - Microbiome studies, especially gut microbiome research, are transforming personalized medicine and disease prevention.
Correct answer is: Medicine and health
Q.14 Which recent microbiology tool uses single-cell analysis?
Single-cell RNA sequencing
Gram staining
Flowcharting
ELISA
Explanation - Single-cell RNA sequencing allows studying gene expression in individual microbial cells, revealing population heterogeneity.
Correct answer is: Single-cell RNA sequencing
Q.15 Which field focuses on studying the combined genetic material of microbial communities?
Metagenomics
Cytogenetics
Pathology
Toxicology
Explanation - Metagenomics involves sequencing microbial DNA from environmental samples to study microbial diversity and functions.
Correct answer is: Metagenomics
Q.16 What is one of the main challenges of microbiome research?
Lack of microscopes
Difficulty in culturing bacteria
Huge data analysis requirements
No known microbes
Explanation - Microbiome research generates massive sequencing datasets that require advanced bioinformatics for analysis.
Correct answer is: Huge data analysis requirements
Q.17 Which technique has enabled rapid identification of microbes in clinical samples?
MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry
Gram staining
Light microscopy
Fermentation tests
Explanation - MALDI-TOF allows rapid identification of microbes by analyzing their protein fingerprints.
Correct answer is: MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry
Q.18 Which recent discovery in microbiology impacts cancer treatment?
Oncolytic viruses
Gram-positive cocci
Acid-fast staining
Endospore formation
Explanation - Oncolytic viruses are engineered microbes that selectively infect and kill cancer cells.
Correct answer is: Oncolytic viruses
Q.19 Which recent advance helps visualize microbial interactions in real time?
Fluorescent microscopy with biosensors
Gram staining
ELISA
Simple light microscopy
Explanation - Fluorescent biosensors allow researchers to track microbial processes and interactions dynamically.
Correct answer is: Fluorescent microscopy with biosensors
Q.20 Which microbiology innovation has led to personalized probiotics?
Microbiome profiling
Gram staining
PCR
ELISA
Explanation - By profiling gut microbiota, scientists develop customized probiotics for individual health needs.
Correct answer is: Microbiome profiling
Q.21 Which new vaccine strategy uses genetic material of microbes?
DNA/RNA vaccines
Killed vaccines
Toxoid vaccines
Conjugate vaccines
Explanation - DNA and RNA vaccines deliver microbial genetic material to stimulate immune response, as seen in COVID-19 vaccines.
Correct answer is: DNA/RNA vaccines
Q.22 What does 'pan-genome' refer to in microbial genomics?
The universal genetic code
The total genes of a species, including core and variable genes
Only plasmid genes
Only viral genes
Explanation - The pan-genome concept includes both conserved core genes and strain-specific variable genes of a species.
Correct answer is: The total genes of a species, including core and variable genes
Q.23 Which microbial technology is being developed for biodegradable plastics?
Microbial fermentation
Western blot
Gram stain
ELISA
Explanation - Microbes are engineered to ferment substrates into biodegradable polymers like PHAs.
Correct answer is: Microbial fermentation
Q.24 What is the role of 'lab-on-a-chip' technology in microbiology?
It replaces all microscopes
It allows miniaturized and rapid microbial testing
It cultures all bacteria
It only stains microbes
Explanation - Lab-on-a-chip devices integrate multiple lab functions on a micro-scale chip, enabling quick microbial diagnostics.
Correct answer is: It allows miniaturized and rapid microbial testing
Q.25 Which recent microbial research focuses on climate change solutions?
Carbon capture by microbes
Antibiotic production
Pathogen staining
Vaccine design
Explanation - Microbes are engineered to capture carbon dioxide and mitigate climate change effects.
Correct answer is: Carbon capture by microbes