AGM 301 Soil and Applied Microbiology

(1+1)
PART-A
I. Choose the correct answer
1. Who is called as Father of Soil Microbiology.                        
A. Hiltner B. Ruinen
C. Winogradsky D. Beijernick
ANS: c. Winogradsky
2. The first member of the genus Azotobacter is discovered by………….
A. M.W. Beijerinck B. Ruinen
C. Winogradsky D. Hiltner
ANS: a.M.W. Beijerinck
3. Nitrification process is discovered by……………..
A. Schloesing and Muntz (1877) B. Ruinen and Hiltner
C. Winogradsky and Beijernickia D. Beijernickia and Winogradsky
ANS: Winogradsky and Beijernickia
4. The word Rhizosphere and Phyllosphere is respectively given by
A. Hiltnerand  Ruinen B. Ruinen and Hiltner
C. Winogradsky and Beijernickia D. Beijernickia and Winogradsky
ANS: b.Hiltner and  Ruinen
5. Chemoautotrophy is discovered by………………..
A. Hiltner B. Ruinen
C. Winogradsky D. Beijernick
ANS:Winogradsky
6. The term Mycorrhiza is termed by…………….
A. Ruinen B. AB Frank
C. Hiltner D. Winogradsky
ANS: b. AB Frank
7. Nitrogen Fixing stage of rhizobium is called………………..
A. Rhizoid B. Viroid
C. Bacteroid D. Bacteria
ANS: a. Bacteroid
8. Which group of bacteria forms stem nodules
A. Azorhizobium B. Rhizobium
C. Bradyrhizobium D. cyanobacteria
ANS: a. Azorhizobium
9. Azotobacter is …………..
A. cyst forming bacteria B. does not produce spores      
C. strict aerobe D. all of the above
ANS:
10. An example of a symbiotic nitrogen fixer is…………….
 A. Beijerinckia B. Azotobacter
C. Clostridium D. Rhizobium
ANS:Rhizobium
11. The groups of bacteria which have the ability to fix nitrogen from air to soil are
A. symbiotic B. both (a) and (b)
C. nonsymbiotic D. none of these
ANS: b. both (a) and (b)
12. The humus forming potential of any residue is most closely correlated with its ………..
content.
A. oxygen B. sulfur
C. nitrogen D. carbon
ANS: c. nitrogen
13. The physical structure of soil is improved by the accumulation of………………..
A. mold mycelium B. water
C. minerals D. all of these
ANS: mold mycelium
14. For rapid decomposition by microbes, the substrate should have a C/N ratio of
A. 10-20 B. 30-40
C. 20-30 D. 60-80
ANS: b. 30-40
15. The organisms responsible for the characteristic musty or earth odor of a freshly
plowed field is/are
A. Nocardia B. Micromonospora
C. Streptomyces D. all of these
ANS: d. all of these
II. Filling the blanks
16. The transformation of nitrates to gaseous nitrogen is accomplished by microorganisms
in a series of biochemical reactions. The process is known as…………..
A. nitrification B. nitrogen fixation
C. denitrification D. ammonification
ANS: c. denitrification
17. The diagnostic enzyme for denitrification is…………
A. nitrate reductase B. nitro oxidoreductase
C. nitrate oxidase D. none of these
ANS: a. nitrate reductase
18. Which pool in the global carbon cycle uses biochemical energy from reduced carbon
compounds?
A. heterotrophs B. soil organic matter
C. carbon dioxide D. autotrophs
ANS: a. heterotrophs
19. Nitrogen fixation refers to the direct conversion of atmospheric nitrogen gas into
A. ammonia B. ATP
 C. glucose D. nitrate
ANS: a. ammonia
20. The nitrogenase consists of…………
A. dinitrogenase B. both (a) and (b)
C. dinitrogenasereductase D. none of these
ANS: b. both (a) and (b)
21. A Nobel Prize winning scientist discovered streptomycin while studying which soil
organism?
A. bacteria B. actinomycetes
C. algae D. fungi
ANS: b. actinomycetes
22. The term mycorrhizae describes a symbiotic relationship between:
A. bacteria and fungus B. heterotroph and autotroph
nitrification and D. an antibiotic and a pathogen
C.
denitrification
ANS: b. heterotroph and autotroph
23. The carbon atom is central to biochemical energy relations because of its ability to gain
and lose
A. electrons B. water
C. nitrogen D. oxygen
ANS: a. electrons
24. Compound responsible for the distinctive “earthy” odor of soil is
A. Phytoalexins B. root exudates
C. cellulose D. Geosmin
ANS: d. Geosmin
25. ………… is a common denitrifying bacteria?
A. Pseudomonas B. Frankia
C. Nitrobacter D. Azospirillum
ANS: c. Pseudomonas
26. Nitrogenase enzyme complex contains component I an II……….
Nitrogenase and B. MoFe protein and Fe protein
A.
Nitrogenasereductase
C. Both of the above D. None of the above
ANS: Both of the above
27. Which physical factor promote the microbial population in soil ……………….
A. Sand B. Silt
C. Clay D. Loam soil
 ANS:
28. Lignin ………cellulose and hemicellulose decomposition
A. Increases B. acclerates
C. decreases D. does not alter
ANS:
29. …….. of soil, microbial population solubilizes phosphorus
A. 10% B. 40%
C. 20% D. 50%
ANS:d.50%
30. Molybdenum metal is a component of enzyme complex and play a role in …………..
A. Carbon cycle B. Sulphur oxidation
C. Nitrogen Fixation D. Denitrification
ANS: c. Nitrogen Fixation

III. Match the following

Questions Ans.
31. Green non-sulfur bacteria e a) Chloroflexus
32. Radiation resistance k b) Cytophaga
33. Salt tolerant e c) Casuarina
34. Green sulfur bacteria a d) Dhaincha
35. Gliding bacteria a e) Halobacterium
36. Thiobacillus m f) Nitrifying bacteria
37. Desulfovibrio i g) Iron oxidizing bacteria
38. Nitrosomonas f h) Winogradsky
39. Gallionella g i) Sulphate reducing bacteria
40. j j) Nitrogen-fixing phototrophic
Nostoc
bacteria
41. Bradyrhizobium l k) Deinococcus
42. Azorhizobium d l) Soybean
43. Rhizobium trifoli n m) Sulphur oxidizing bacteria
44. Frankia c n) Clover
45. Clostridium pasteurianum h o) Chlorobium

PART – B
46.
Read the following passage and answer the questions (26 – 29)
Field of Soil Microbiology has grown with immense contribution of several Scientists,
relate to the important contributions of and the Scientist responsible for it?
1. While studying the soil autotrophy, he has made important contribution of isolating
nitrifying and sulphur oxidizing bacteria in soil
 A) Waksman B) Beijerinck
C) Winogradsky D) Fleming
ANS: b. Winogradsky
2. He has followed a special technique to selectively isolate particular group of bacteria
that are present low in the environment
A) Beijerinck B) Fleming
C) Winogradasky D) Waksman
Ans: a. Beijerinck
3. The group of microorganisms known for secreting antibiotics in soil are
A) Actinobacteria B) Bacteria
C) Fungi D) Protozoa
ANS:a. Actinobacteria
4. Which of the following is the first asymbiotic nitrogen- fixing bacterium isolated
A) Azospirillum B) Rhizobium
Azotobacter
C) Beijerinckia D)

ANS: b. Beijerinckia
47. Read the following passage and answer the questions (34 – 37)
Soil is a dynamic body encompassing minerals, inorganic matter, air and more
importantly diversified microorganisms. Please answer the following in relation to soil
1. Group of microorganisms that are higher in number and biomass in soil respectively are
A) Virus and algae B) Bacteria and Fungi
C) Fungi and actinobacteria D) Bacteria and Actinobacteria
ANS: c. Bacteria and Fungi
2. Compare the entities I and II and answer the following
I. The rate of flux of oxygen in air
II. The rate of flux of oxygen in water
A) I is greater than II B) I is exactly or approximately equal to II
II is greater than I I may stand in more than one of the
C) D)
above relations to II
ANS: a. I is greater than II
3. I. The concentration of CO2 in air.
II. The concentration of CO2 in soil atmospheric spaces.
A) I is greater than II B) II is greater than I
I is exactly or approximately I may stand in more than one of the
C) D)
equal to II above relations to II
ANS: b. II is greater than I
4. I. The percentage of microorganisms in soil that have been cultivated.
II The percentage of microorganisms in soil that have not been cultivated
A) I is greater than II B) II is greater than I
C) I is exactly or approximately D) I may stand in more than one of the
 equal to II above relations to II
ANS: II is greater than I
48. Read the following passage and answer the questions ( –)
Soil has many inorganic and organic nutrients in order for the life to sustain the essential
nutrients needs to be recycled microorganisms play a significant role in mineral
transformation.
1. The soil primarily is an _____ environment; the elements, such as carbon, nitrogen,
sulfur and iron, will tend to be in the _____ state in the soil.
A) aerobic; oxidized B) aerobic; reduced
C) anaerobic; oxidized D) anaerobic; reduced
ANS: aerobic; oxidized
2. Most of the Soil protozoa are flagellates and amoeba having their mode of nitrogen as
A) ingestion of bacteria B) Ingestion of mold
C) Ingestion of fungi D) Ingestion of algae
ANS: a. ingestion of bacteria
3. Nitrifying bacteria cannot be isolated directly by the usual techniques employed to
isolate hetrotrophic bacteria. The reasons may be due to
A) Slow growth B) Fast growth
C) No growth D) Medium growth
ANS: a slow growth
4. The population of algae in soil is __________ that of either bacteria or fungi
A) generally smaller than B) generally greater than
C) equal to D) none of these
ANS: generally smaller than
49. Read the following passage and answer the questions ( –)
Soil is rich source of N, P, K, S and other minor nutrients but most of the elements are
fixed or either unavailable to plants. Several microbes transform the elements help in
crop growth. Answer the following
1. Throughout the world, soils are being impacted by mineral nitrogen releases form
I. agricultural fertilizer run off.
II. fossil fuel combustion.
A) I only true B) II only true
C) I and II are true D) I and II are false
ANS: a. I only true
2. The function of mycorrhizae is to
I. increase the availability of nutrients to plants.
II. aid in water uptake for plants in arid environments
A) I only true B) II only true
C) Both I and II are true D) Both I and II are false
ANS: c. Both I and II are true
3. Tropical environments like the rain forest have abundant vegetation because
I. The soil contains so many nutrients required by plants
II. The ecosystem is very efficient in recycling nutrients as soon as the microorganisms
die
A) I only true B) II only true
C) Both I and II are true D) Both I and II are false
ANS:b. II only true
4. I. The percentage of vascular plants with mycorrizae
II. The percentage of vascular plants without mycorrhizae
A) I is greater than II B) II is greater than I
I is exactly or approximately I may stand in more than one of the
C) D)
equal to II above relations to II
ANS: a. I is greater than II
50. Read the following passage and answer the questions ( –)
Nitrogen is the second most limiting macro nutrient for the plants the majority of it is
present in the atmosphere prokaryotes fix the gaseous form of nitrogen by reducing them
and convert it into available form for the crop growth.
1. Which of the following genera synthesizes Nod factors in order to activate a plant to
allow development of an infection thread?
A) Agrobacterium B) Rhizobium
C) Frankia D) E.coli
ANS: Rhizobium
2. The nitrogen-fixation form of the Rhizobium bacterium is called a ………………….
A) Bacteriod B) Infection thread
C) Symbiosome D) Arbuscules
ANS: Symbiosome
3. Nitrogen fertilizers disrupt ecosystem structure and function by ……………
promoting heterotrophic decreasing filamentous fungal
growth causing an imbalance development which causes loss of soil
A) B)
in CO2 levels crumb structure and subsequent soil
fertility
causing more antibiotic reducing the number of nitrogen fixing
producing bacteria to grow bacteria in soils
C) D)
and produce antibiotics which
stunt the growth
ANS: decreasing filamentous fungal development which causes loss of soil crumb
structure and subsequent soil fertility
4. Addition of nitrogen-containing fertilizers affects gas exchange processes in the soil
A) resulting in release of NO and B) causing methane gas to be consumed
N2O which are greenhouse
 gasses
causing methane gas to be Assimilation of NO3 by bacteria
C) D)
produced
ANS: resulting in release of NO and N2O which are greenhouse gasses
51. Read the following passage and answer the questions ( –)
Nitrogen is reduced to form ammonia and nitrifying group of bacteria transforms the
process of nitrification the resulting nitrate is fixed in the plants
1. _____ is the process in which microorganisms are used as a food source resulting in
nitrogen and phosphorous mineralization
A) Nitrogen fixation B) Ammonification
C) Microbivory D) Homeostasis
ANS: c. Microbivory
2. Nodulation and the development of an anaerobic environment to facilitate nitrogen
fixation is characteristic of which genus?
A) Rhizobium B) Agrobacterium
C) Escherichia D) Frankia
ANS: a. Rhizobium
3. Members of genus Frankia are
I. capable of nitrogen fixation for trees and shrubs
II. readily cultivated bacteria
A) I only is true B) II only is true
C) I is false D) I and II are false
ANS: I only is true
4. The enzyme responsible for fixing atmospheric nitrogen in plants are
A) Nitrogen reductase B) Nitrogenase
C) nitrite reductase D) nitrate oxidase
ANS: b. Nitrogenase
52. Read the following passage and answer the questions ( –)
The fixed nitrogen goes back to the atmosphere by the action of several microorganisms
the cycling of nitrogen is important to maintain the N sustainability
1. The transformation of nitrates to gaseous nitrogen is accomplished by microorganisms in
a series of biochemical reactions. The process is known as……………………
A) Nitrification B) denitrification
C) nitrogen fixation D) ammonification
ANS: denitrification
2. Nitrogen fixation refers to the direct conversion of atmospheric nitrogen gas
into……………
A) ammonia B) glucose
C) ATP D) Nitrate
ANS: a. Ammonia
3. The diagnostic enzyme for denitrification is………………..
A) nitrate reductase B) nitrate oxidase
C) nitro oxidoreductase D) nitrogenase
ANS: nitrate reductase
4. A heterocyst is …………………….
a type of spore a terminally differentiated cell that fixes
A) B)
nitrogen
the progenitor of a cell that carries out oxygenic
C) D)
cyanobacterial vegetative cells photosynthesis
ANS: b. a terminally differentiated cell that fixes nitrogen
53. Read the following passage and answer the questions ( –)
Answer the following questions in relation to nitrogen fixation
1. The groups of symbiotic bacteria, which have the ability to fix nitrogen
derive their food and minerals grow together for a mutual benefit is
from the legume, and in turn called symbiosis and so these bacteria are
A) B)
they supply the legume with called symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria
some or all of its nitrogen
these bacteria are from the all of the above
C) D)
genus, Rhizobium
ANS: all of the above
2. In the process of nitrogen fixation, which of the following microorganism is involved?
A) non symbiotic organisms only B) symbiotic organisms only
both non symbiotic and aerobic organisms
C) D)
symbiotic organisms
ANS: b both non symbiotic and symbiotic organisms
3. The physical structure of soil is improved by the accumulation of
A) mold mycelium B) minerals
C) water D) all of these
ANS: a. mold mycelium
4. __________ play a key role in the transformation of rock to soil
A) Cyanobacteia B) Pectin decomposing bacteria
C) nitririfying bacteria D) denitrifying bacteria
ANS a Cyanobacteria
54. Read the following passage and answer the questions ( –)
Biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) is a true microbiological process it is major form of
nitrogen fixation in tropical soils. Answer the following questions in relation to BNF
1. The nitrogenase consists of
A) dinitrogenase B) dinitrogenasereductase
C) both (a) and (b) D) a only
ANS: c both a and b
2. The crops which are involved in nitrogen fixation are
 A) alfalfa B) Soybean
C) Beans D) All of the above
ANS: d. All of the above
3. For rapid decomposition by microbes, the substrate should have a C/N ratio of
A) 20:1 B) 30:1
C) 40:1 D) 60:1
ANS: 20:1
4. Assimilative denitrification is done by
A) plants B) fungi
C) Prokaryotes D) All of the above
ANS: all of the above
55. Read the following passage and answer the questions ( –)
The process of organic matter decomposition is dynamic and variety of microorganisms
involved in the formation of SOM and humus. Answer the following questions
1. I. The ability of lignin to be degraded in aerobic environments
II. The ability of lignin to be degraded in anaerobic environments
A) I is greater than II B) II is greater than I
I is exactly or approximately I may stand in more than one of the
C) D)
equal to II above relations to II
ANS: a. I is greater than II
2. I. Ectomycorrhizae
II.Bacteria
All members of I are also All members of II are also members of I,
members of II, but not all but not all members of I are members of
A) B)
members of II are members of II
I.
All members of I are members Some members of I are members of II
C) of II, and all members of II are D) and some are not, and some members of
members of I II are members of I and some are not
ANS: d Some members of I are members of II and some are not, and some
members of II are members of I and some are not
3. I. - Zygomycete fungi
II. - Endomycorrhizae
All members of I are also All members of II are also members of I,
members of II, but not all but not all members of I are members of
A) B)
members of II are members of II
I
C) All members of I are members D) Some members of I are members of II
 of II, and all members of II are and some are not, and some members of
members of I II are members of I and some are not
ANS: d Some members of I are members of II and some are not, and some
members of II are members of I and some are not
4. I. - Bacteria 
II. - Endophytes
All members of I are also All members of II are also members of I,
members of II, but not all but not all members of I are members of
A) B)
members of II are members of II
I
All members of I are members Some members of I are members of II
C) of II, and all members of II are D) and some are not, and some members of
members of I. II are members of I and some are not
ANS: d Some members of I are members of II and some are not, and some
members of II are members of I and some are not

1. Which of the following scientist first described the usefulness of Azotobacter as a free
living nitrogen fixing bacteria?
 a) H. Hellriegel
b) H. Wilfarth
c) MartinuswillemBeijerinick
d) Sergei Winogradsky

2. Which of the following scientist first showed mutually beneficial relationship between
bacteria and leguminous plants?

a) H. Hellriegel and H. Wilfarth

b) Nocard and Roux
c) Sergei Winogradsky and Martinus Willem Beijerinck
d) Welch and Nuttall

3. Which of the followings fixed nitrogen in waterlogged soil?

a) Nostoc   
b) Nitrobactor        
c) Clostridium
d) None
4. Which of the following bacteria genus is capable of oxidizing ammonia (NH4)?
a) Nitrospina
b) Nitrobacter
c) Nitrococcus
d) Nitrosobacter
5. During nitrogen fixation the enzyme nitrogenase catalyses the reaction. The reaction is
high energy demanding which require approximately
a) 12ATP
b) 16ATP
c) 25ATP
d) 8ATP

6. Industrial fixation is accomplished by

a) Helmonts Process
b) Haber Process
c) Friedel-Craft reaction
d) Reimer Tiemann Reaction
7. The root nodules of legumes contain a pink pigment which has high affinity for oxygen is

a) Nod haemoglobin
b) Leghaemoglobin
c) Haemoglobin
d) Bacterial haemoglobin

8. The microflora in soil that are always uniform and constraint and native which derives their
nutrition from soil organic matter (SOM) are

a) Autochthonous microflora
b) Allochthonousmicroflora
c) Zymogenousmicroflora
d) None of the above
9. The term”Phyllosphere’ is coined by
a) Hiltner
b) J.B. Boussingault
c) Hillriegel and Wilfarth
d) Ruinen
10. Mineralization refers to
a) Conversion of inorganic complex compounds into simple inorganic compounds
b) Conversion of complex organic compounds into simple inorganic compounds
c) Conversion of complex organic compounds into simple organic constituents
d) Conversion of inorganic complex materials into elements

11. The process of nitrification occurs in two steps where each step is performed by different
group of bacteria. The oxidation of nitrite to nitrate is exhibited by
a) Nitrosomonas
b) Nitrosovibrio
c) Nitrobacter
d) Nitrosococcus
12. Which blue green algae lacks heterocyst
a) Anabena
b) Nostoc
 c) Oscillatoria
d) Chlamydomonas
13. Azolla leaf contains Anabaena on

a) Ventral surface
b) Dorsal surface
c) Both (a) and (b)
d) Leaf nodules
14. The non-symbiotic bacteria which fix nitrogen live in the soil independently are
a) Rhizobium
b) Agrobacterium
c) Azotobacter
d) Azolla

15. Which is the following fungus can improve their uptake of phosphorus and other nutrients
by plants through infection on crop roots

a) Saccharomyces cerevisiae
b) VA Mycorrhiza
c) Candida torulopsis
d) Aspergillusniger

Fill in the blanks

16. The organisms responsible for the characteristic musty or earth odor of the freshly ploughed
field are--------------
a) Bacteria
b) Fungi
c) Protozoa
d) Actinomycetes

17. Which species of Rhizobium forms root nodule in the pea plant
 a) R. japonicum
b) R.leguminosarum
c) R.phaseoli
d) R.loti

18. Pigment leghaemoglobin acts as a

a) Nitrogen carrier
b) Oxygen carrier
c) Nitrogenase activator
d) Rhizobium carrier
19. Dominant group of soil microorganisms responsible for organic matter decomposition
is_______.
a) Protozoa
b) Fungi
c) Bacteria
d) Actinimycetes

20. --------------- is an example of phosphate solubilizing bacteria converting insoluble phosphorus to

soluble form

a) Bacillus megaterium
b) Pseudomonas striata
c) Both a and b
d) Proteus sp

21. The microflorathat are introduced into the soil to promote the plant growth is called as -------
e) Autochthonous microflora
f) Allochthonousmicroflora
g) Zymogenousmicroflora
h) Fermentative microflora
22. Rhizobium enters in the root through

a) Root cap
b) Root hair
 c) Lenticel
d) Cortex.
23. Rhizobium cells inside the nodule are called as ________________.

a) Cyst
b) Spore
c) Bacteriods
d) Vesicules

24. The nitrogenase consists of --------

a) Dinitrogenase
b) Dinitrogenasereductase
c) Both a and b
d) Hydrogenase

25. ___________________ Organism are responsible for generation of biogas from cattle
manure under anaerobic condition.

a) Sulphur bacteria
b) Methanogens
c) Fermentative organisms
d) Cellulose decomposers

26. ------------- enzyme responsible for the recycling of hydrogen producing during nitrogen
fixation
a) Dinitrogenase
b) Dinitrogenasereductase
c) Hydrogenase
d) Uptake hydrogenase

27. ______________ is the most common species of Azolla in India

 a) Azollamicroflora
b) Azollanilotica
c) Azollapinnata
d) AzollaMexicana
28. An organism capable of fixing atmospheric nitrogen is called as ________________
a) Autotrophs
b) Diazotrophs
c) Chemotrophs
d) lithotrophs

29. _________________ is an example for endophytic nitrogen fixer in sugarcane

a) Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus
b) Azotobacterchrococcum
c) Beijerinckiaindica
d) Derxiagummosa

30. _______________ is an example for associative symbiotic nitrogen fixer

a) Bradyrhizobiumjaponicum
b) Azospirillum lipoferum
c) Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus
d) Azotobacterchrococcum

Match the following

31.

S:N Column A Column B

o
a. Rhizobium : i. Sugarcane

b. Azotobacter : ii. Actinomycetes

c. Azospirillum : iii. Symbiotic

d. Gluconoacetobacter : iv. Free living

e. Frankia v. Associative

A. a-iii ,b-iv, c-v, d-i, e-ii

B. a-ii, b-iii, c-iv, d-v, e-i
C. a-iii, b-iv, c-i, d-v, e-ii
D. a-iii,b-ii, c-v, d-ii,e-i
32.

S:N Column A Column B

o
a. Beijerinck : i. Mycorrhiza
b. Winogradsky : ii. Ammonification
c. Rossi &Cholodny : iii. Father of Soil Microbiology
d. Frank : iv. Azospirillun
e. v. Burried Slide Technique
Lipman and
Brown

A. a-iii, b-iv, c-ii, d-v, e-i

B. a-iv, b-i, c-v, d-I,e-ii
C. a-iv, b-iii, c-v, d-i, e-ii
D. a-iii, b-v, c-iv, d-ii, e-i
33.

S:N Column A Column B

o
a. Bacillus Megaterium : i. Nitrobacter
b. ArbuscularMycorrhiza : ii. Nitrosomonas
c. Conversion of Ammonia into : iii. Phosphorus Solubilizer
nitrite
d. Conversion of nitrite to Nitrate : iv. Denitrification
e. Conversion of Nitrate to Nitrogen v. Phosphorus Mobilizer

A. a-iv, b-iii, c-ii, d-v, e-i

B. a-iii, b-v, c-ii, d-i, e-iv
C. a-iii, b-iv, c-i,d-v, e-ii
D. a-iv, b-i,c-ii, d-v, e-iii

PART B

Read the following passage and answer the questions (34-37)

ArbuscularMycorrhiza (AM) fungi are the most common and abundant coexistent fungi in soil
and can coexist with more than 90 percent of plant species to establish a symbiotic
relationship.This association is characterized by the movement of plant produced carbon to
fungus and fungal acquired nutrients to plants

34. In mycorrhiza, the fungus may form colonies

a) Extracellularly
b) intracellularly
c) both a and b
d) depends on conditions

35. The ectomycorrhizas form an intercellular network in root cortex called

 a) Arbuscules
b) Vesicles
c) Hartig net
d) Haustoria

36. The characteristic feature of AM fungi is it penetrates plant cell wall and form

a) Spores intracellularly
b) Vesicles and dichotomously branched invaginations called arbuscules
c) Haustoria
d) massive spore forming structures intracellularly

37. ________________ organ can act as a Phosphorus storage in AM fungi

a) Arbuscules
b) Vesicles
c) hartig net
d) haustoria

Read the following passage and answer the questions (38-41)

Phosphorus ranks second after Nitrogen with regard the extent of its required by plants and
micro organisms. It constitutes nearly 0.1% of the earth’s crust. But only about 1% of the total P
is in available form, because of its solubility and its fixation in soil. Under these circumstances,
microorganisms have evolved the mineral phosphate solubilising traits to acquire sufficient
phosphorus

38. In which form of phosphorus is predominates in the calcareous or normal soils

a) Al3+
b) Fe3+
c) Ca2+
d) K+
39. The conversion of unavailable form of phosphorus to available form by microorganism is
mainly through

a) Production of organic acid

b) Synthesis of phosphates
c) Both a and b
d) Synthesis of Pectinase

40. ____________________ fungi are the most effective phosphorus solubilizers

a) Penicilliumand Aspergillus
b) Trichodernaviride
c) Phythiumsp
d) Mycorrhiza

41. _______________ organic acid have high phosphorus solubilising ability

a) Oxalic acid
b) Gluconic acid
c) Hydrochloric acid
d) Succinic acid

Read the following passage and answer the questions (42-45)

Nitrogenase enzymes catalyse the conversion of atmospheric nitrogen into
ammonia.Dinitrogenase and dinitrogenasereductase are the two components of this enzyme and
it is highly sensitive to oxygen.

42. The component which is highly sensitive to oxygen in nitrogenase enzyme is_____

a) Dinitrogenase
b) Dinitrogenasereductase
c) both a and b
d) Hydrogenase
43. During nitrogen fixation, the major role of dinitrogenasereductase is

a) Transfer of electron from donor to acceptor

b) Site of substrate reduction
c) Both a and b
d) Conversion of nitrogen into ammonia

44. The substrates for nitrogenase enzymes is

a) N2 and C2H2
b) C2H4
c) NH4
d) NO3
45. Nirogenase was first extracted from ---------
a) Rhizobium
b) Oscillatoria
c) Clostridium
d) Klebisella

Read the following passage and answer the questions (46-49)

Biological nitrogen fixation is the reduction of atmospheric nitrogen gas (N 2) to ammonium ions
(NH4+) by the oxygen-sensitive enzyme, nitrogenase. Because oxygen irreversibly inactivates
the nitrogenase enzymes involved in nitrogen fixation, nitrogen must be fixed under anaerobic
conditions.

46. Plants cannot absorb molecular N2 in the atmosphere because

a) N2 has double bonds making it highly stable

b) Abundance in the atmosphere inhibits absorption
c) N2 has triple bonds making it highly stable
d) occur in lesser amount in the atmosphere

47. How much of electrons are required for nitrogen fixation?

 a) 12
b) 8
c) 10
d) 6
48. Majority of nitrogen fixation occurs by_____________
a) Biological Nitrogen fixation
b) Lightning
c) Volcanic eruptions
d) Haber-Bosch process
49. In Rhizobium legume symbiosis, energy required for nitrogen fixation is obtained
a) Photophosphorylation
b) Substrate level phosphorylation
c) Oxidative phosphorylation
d) Fermentation

Read the following passage and answer the questions (50-53)

The nif genes are genes encoding enzymes involved in the fixation of atmospheric nitrogen.
These genes are found in both free living and symbiotic nitrogen fixing bacteria. But the
expression of the nif genes is induced as a response to low concentration of fixed nitrogen and
oxygen concentration

50. The nif genes was first studied in --------------- organism

a) Rhizobium trifoli
b) Klebsiella pneumonia
c) Azotobactervinelandii
d) Anabaena azollae
51. ______________ are the structural genes encoded for nitrogenase
a) nif HDK
b) nifQ
c) nifTWZ
d) nif N
52. _________________ structural gene encodes for FeMoCo
 a) nif HDK
b) nifQ
c) nifBNE
d) nifN
53. __________________ structural gene encodes for Molybdenum
a) nif HDK
b) nifQ
c) nifBNE
d) nifN

Read the following passage and answer the questions (54-57)

Organic matter is a natural substrate for saprophytic micro organism and provides nutrition to
plants indirectly through the activity of soil microorganisms. Decomposition of organic matter
can be carried by both aerobic and anaerobic condition. It provides energy for microbial growth
and also supplies carbon for the formation of new cell materials

54. The optimum level of C:N ratio required for maximum decomposition of organic matter is
about_____
a) 10:1
b) 20-25:1
c) 40:1
d) 50:1
55. The rate of organic matter decomposition is measured by
a) Measurement of CO2 evolved
b) Measurement of O2 consumed
c) Both a and b
d) Measured of ammonia released
56. The end product of aerobic decomposition of organic matter is ______________
a) Humus, CO2 and H2O
b) CH4
c) H2S
 d) Cl2
57. ______________ Microorganisms have ability to degrade the complex substances such as
keratin, chitin
a) Bacteria
b) Actinomycetes
c) Protozoa
d) Algae

Read the following passage and answer the questions (58-61)

Decomposition of organic matter takes placeby the activity of both mesophilic, thermophilic
microorganisms under anaerobic condition resulting in the production of CO2, H2, ethyl alcohol,
and organic acids. It is useful for biogas production biogas

58. The end product of anaerobic decomposition of organic matter is ______________

a) Humus, CO2 and H2O
b) CH4
c) NH4
d) NO3
59. The proportion of methane and carbondioxide in biogas is about______________
a) 60:40
b) 50:50
c) 70:30
d) 40:60
60. ___________ are responsible for generation of methane under anaerobic condition
a) Actinomycetes
b) Protozoa
c) Methanogens
d) Sulphur bacteria
61. ______________ is an example for methane generating bacteria
a) Cellulomonas
 b) Clostridium
c) Bacteroides
d) Methanobacterium

Read the following passage and answer the questions (62-65)

Blue green algae can able to fix the atmospheric nitrogen both in symbiotic and nonsymbiotic
condition. The association of Anabaena azolla and the aquatic fern Azolla can be a potential
source of organic manure and nitrogen in rice cultivation.

62. _________ is the site of nitrogen fixation in Blue green algae

a) Akinetes
b) Heterocysts
c) Vegetative cells
d) Horomogonia
63. The characteristics feature of heterocyst for nitrogen fixation are____________
a) Lack of Photosystem II and Photosynthetic O2 evolution
b) Lack of Photosystem I and Photosynthetic O2 evolution
c) Presence of Photosystem II and Photosynthetic O2 evolution
d) Compartmentalization of photosynthesis and nitrogen fixation

64. ______________ is an example for non-heterocyst cynobacteria

a) Anabaena
b) Nostoc
c) Oscillatoria
d) Pleurocapsa

65. The common species of Azolla in India is _______________

a) A.microphylla
b) A.pinnata
 c) A.nilotica
d) A.mexicana

Read the following passage and answer the questions (66-69)

Frankiais a genus of soil actinomycetesthat fix the atmospheric nitrogen in the root nodules of
non-leguminous plants. It has been reported that N fixed by Frankia in Alnus ranges from 50-
150kg/ha/yr.Frankia have ability to differentiate into hyphae, sporangia and vesicles

66. ____________ is the site for nitrogen fixation in Frankia

a) Sporangia
b) Vesicles
c) Lenticles
d) Heterocyst

67. Frankia can able to form the root nodules in --------------

a) Legumes
b) Sesbania
c) Casuarina
d) Parasponia

68. Frankia that forms vesicles in root nodules except

a) Alnus
b) Myrica
c) Casuarina
d) Dryas

69. Frankia enters the roots through

a) Either root hairs or root epidermal cells

 b) Root hairs
c) Root epidermal cells
d) Root cap

Read the following passage and answer the questions (70--73)

Rhizobium forms symbiotic association with roots of leguminous crops forming nitrogen fixing
nodules on the root system. Interactions of rhizobium bacteria with legume plants are controlled
by strict host specificity. Nod genes are responsible for the formation of nodules in legume
crops.

70. Nod genes is located --------

a) Chromosome
b) Sym plasmid
c) Chromosome and plasmid
d) Transposans

71.______________ structural gene encodes regulation

a) NodA
b) NodD
c) NodB
d) NodC

72. Root nodules are pink colour due to

a) Nitrogenase
b) Leghaemoglobin
c) Meristematic cells
d) Haemoglobin
73. Root nodules for nitrogen fixation of a non leguminous tree posses ________

a) Frankia
b) Rhizobium
c) Azotobacter
d) Thiobacillus