Which statement about bacteria is NOT TRUE? A) Bacteria growth in food products always results in spoilage. B) Most bacteria do not cause disease. C) Some bacteria are required for good health of humans. D) Bacteria are useful in food production and preservation. E) Bacteria are essential research tools in molecular biology. F) Bacteria can produce antibiotics.
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is A) Bacteria growth in food products always results in spoilage.
Explanation:
Bacteria are microorganisms that play various roles in both positive and negative ways depending on the context. The statement “Bacteria growth in food products always results in spoilage” is NOT TRUE because not all bacterial growth leads to spoilage. In fact, some bacteria are involved in the production of food products like cheese, yogurt, and pickles. These beneficial bacteria, known as probiotics, are intentionally added to food during the fermentation process to enhance flavor, texture, and nutritional value, and they do not lead to spoilage.
On the other hand, most bacteria do not cause disease (B), and many are harmless or even beneficial. The human body contains a vast number of bacteria that live symbiotically in the gut and on the skin, playing a crucial role in digestion, immunity, and overall health. So, the majority of bacteria are not pathogenic.
Additionally, some bacteria are required for the good health of humans (C). For example, the bacteria in the intestines help digest food and synthesize essential vitamins like vitamin K and certain B vitamins. These bacteria also protect against harmful pathogens.
Bacteria are also useful in food production and preservation (D). Besides fermentation, bacteria can help preserve food by creating acids or other substances that inhibit the growth of spoilage-causing microbes.
Bacteria are essential research tools in molecular biology (E) because they are used in various processes like cloning, gene expression, and biotechnology due to their ability to replicate quickly and manipulate genetic material easily.
Lastly, bacteria can produce antibiotics (F). Some bacteria, like Streptomyces, are known to produce natural antibiotics that are used in medicine to treat bacterial infections.
Therefore, the only false statement here is A, as bacterial growth does not always result in spoilage; some bacteria are beneficial in food production.