The Marine Microbiome - Quiz

The marine microbiome is one of the largest microbiomes on the planet. The microbes play a central role in the energy generation of the earth – through photosynthesis at the surface and chemosynthesis in darker ocean depths. The ocean harbours hugely diverse, but largely unknown microbes. Unlocking the genetic code of marine microbes can have an enormous functional potential for human, animal and plant disease treatment and the understanding of climate change.
What’s happening deep into the ocean? Do you know if microbes can survive there? Take the quiz!
Question 1
Where do you find microbiomes in the ocean?
A
On the surface
B
In the darker depths
C
Everywhere
Question 1 Explanation: 
The marine microbiome is one of the largest microbiomes on the planet with billions of microbes being found in a single litre of water.
Question 2
Marine microbes supply more than half the world’s oxygen, how do they produce energy?
A
Photosynthesis at the surface of the ocean, chemosynthesis in darker ocean depths
B
Chemosynthesis at the surface of the ocean, photosynthesis in darker ocean depths
C
Both photosynthesis and chemosynthesis at the surface
Question 2 Explanation: 
Photosynthesis requires sunlight, thus occurs at the surface (plankton), in darker ocean depths there is no sunlight, so chemosynthesis takes place.
Question 3
What do changes in the composition of the marine microbiome indicate?
A
Fish reduction
B
Amount of microplastics
C
Effects of climate change
Question 3 Explanation: 
Ocean acidification and increased temperatures can alter changes in the composition of the marine microbiome in areas and give an indication of the short- and long-term effects of climate change on the marine ecosystem.
Question 4
What do scientists do to find potential new treatment strategies for human diseases and illnesses treatment in the ocean?
A
Measure biodiversity levels in the ocean
B
Transplant marine microbes to humans
C
Unlock the genetic code of marine microbes
Question 4 Explanation: 
Marine microbes are an extremely fruitful source of potential new antibiotics and chemotherapy agents. Studies try and analyse all the microbial communities in the seawater using a process known as metagenomic sequencing by isolating the DNA of every living cell in a sample, rather than just the small proportion of cells which can be grown in the lab.
Question 5
What is already discovered about marine microbes?
A
Nearly everything
B
The essential
C
Very little
Question 5 Explanation: 
Scientists still only poorly understand the biogeochemical processes that exist in the ocean. There is a huge diversity of microbes, most of them still to be discovered.
There are 5 questions to complete.

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