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Q: I was wondering how specific the exam was going to be .... For
example, are we going to need to know that chromatium, halorhodospira, and
thiocapsa are all specific types of purple sulfur bacteria or are just
going to need to know particular characteristics of purple sulfur
bacteria?
A: The exam will focus mostly on knowing the attributes of the
groups of microbes, but it is good to know the "key" genera for each
(these are the ones I list in the study guide).
Q: Also we were shown numerous slides in class that portrayed to us
what the particular types of bacteria looked like, are they going to be
pictures of bacteria on the exam?
A: No, there will not be any pictures
on the exam.
Q: I've been going through chapter 17, and I am wondering if all the
information in the book is important for me to regard. A lot of the
information is not in your notes online. There are also a lot of
figures that are kind of confusing. I am going to read the chapter, but
taking notes on everything seems tedious if it's unneeded. Just trying
to get a grasp on how I should be studying for your class.
A: It's good that you plan to read the chapers, because they are a treasure trove of
information that will provide you with a broader perspective and help you better understand what were
talking about in class. However, I will not ask exam questions over material that I have not covered
on the study guides or during lecture. Also ... take a look at the information below for further insights.
January 4 - Popular Questions from Past Years
Q: I was just wondering if we had to know the same stuff for the archaea
that we have to know for the bacteria. Should we just focus on the major groups
of archaea if they organotrophs, lithotrophs or organolithotrophs, what temperature
they prefer and if they are aerobic or anaerobic?
A: The short answer would be ... yes.
A longer version of the answer would be ... you need to know all the same stuff
about the Archaea and Fungi that you do about the Bacteria. I had intended the "blurb" I
put on MicroFAQs earlier (see entry for Feb 3) to be all-inclusive.
Q: Then for the fungi do we have to know the specifics of they reproduce?
A: As with the other stuff, you need to know it at the same
level that I discussed it. So ... you need to know how they reproduce at the
conceptual level, with examples of the various types of reproduction (both sexual
and asexual).
Q: For all the bacteria we've been learning about...do we need to know
all the specific different names of bacteria in each classification, or just know
the general information on the group as a whole and then obviously the ones like
thio- meaning reducing sulfur?
A: While I will not focus on names of microorganisms when it comes to writing
exam questions, it is inevitable that some of these names will be needed for you
to distinguish among them. As a result it is important for you to remember the
names of all the Bacteria, Archaea and Fungi that I talk about in class. The reason
for mentioning them by name is to enable you to have something specific to "latch
onto" as you are learning about microbial diversity. You do not, however,
have to know the names of all the microbes that are discussed in the textbook.
In addition to knowing the names of the specific examples I describe in class,
you will need to know general information about each group of microbes as well.
In both cases, try to avoid simply memorizing the names or traits of the microbes
by themselves. Instead, be sure you come up with a concept story for each group
and example that helps you think of how and why it is important; in other words,
be sure you understand the context in which each occurs and is important.
Q: How many points do I have, and what is my current
grade?
A: Check out the Evaluation
web page for the grade distribution guidelines, then check out your
current points and estimated grade.
Q: What is the best way to study for this course?
A: Check out the Study Tips
and do what they tell you. The tip about using writing to integrate
diverse ideas and synthesize them into your own working model is my
favorite. Another very helpful approach is to thoroughly familiarize
yourself with the material, then discuss it with other students to
help you look at it from different viewpoints to make sure you
understand it and that you have not just memorized the
information.
Q: Exactly how useful is the textbook to us in studying for
this class? I find it a little hard to read, and it seems like
everything we need to know can be found on the study guides. Is it
best to use the textbook as a reference?
A: The textbook is a very important reference, because it will
allow you to go beyond the lectures and the study guide on many
topics, thus allowing you to better develop your knowledge base and
your understanding of microbiology. As I indicate on the Study
Tips web page, it would be a mistake to think that memorizing the
study guide is sufficient for success in this course. After you have
memorized enough material to have a significant knowledge base, you
need to use it as a "jumping-off" point for developing a deeper
understanding of microbiology, especially from a conceptual and
process-oriented viewpoint. Only when you have mastered this process
will you be able to truly understand microbiology such that you can
use it for the rest of your life. That, of course, is what a real
education is all about. Interestingly enough, as you progress through
the semester, one way to gauge your progress is to note how much
easier it becomes to read the textbook. Happy synthesis and
integration!
Q: What will the questions be like on the exams?
A: Check out the Sample
Questions for some tips and mind tweaks.
