Consider the following:
1. Bacteria
2. Fungi
3. Virus
Which of the above can be cultured in an artificial /synthetic medium?
(a) 1 and 2 Only
(b) 2 and 3 Only
(c) 1 and 3 Only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
5. Ans: a
Explanation:
Microbes are diverse–protozoa, bacteria, fungi and microscopic animal and plant viruses, viroids and also prions that are proteinacious infectious agents.
Bacteria
Bacteria are the sole members of the Kingdom Monera. They are the most abundant micro-organisms. Bacteria occur almost everywhere. They also live in extreme habitats such as hot springs, deserts, snow and deep oceans where very few other life forms can survive. Many of them live in or on other organisms as parasites. Bacterial culture was the first method developed to study the human microbiota, using an artificial medium that allows the growth and isolation of bacteria. The first to have cultured a bacterium in a reproducible way was Louis Pasteur in 1860.
Viruses
Viruses are microscopic organisms that are dead outside a living cell. They reproduce only inside the cells of the host organism, which may be a bacterium, plant, or animal. Viruses cannot be cultured synthetically.
Fungi
The fungi constitute a unique kingdom of heterotrophic organisms. They show a great diversity in morphology and habitat. Some unicellular fungi, e.g., yeast are used to make bread and beer. Other fungi cause diseases in plants and animals; some are the source of antibiotics. Fungi are cosmopolitan and occur in air, water, soil and on animals and plants. They prefer to grow in warm and humid places. With the exception of yeasts which are unicellular, fungi are filamentous.
There are two general types of fungal culture media: natural and synthetic. Fungi can also be cultured synthetically. Media containing high carbohydrate source, nitrogen source are required for the growth of fungi at pH range of 5 to 6, and a temperature range from 15 to 37˚.
Hence, option a is correct.
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