Micro organisms Application2

📘 Study MCQs

Q1. You find a fuzzy green mould on a block of cheese. What should you do?
A. Throw the entire block away
B. Cut off at least one inch around the mould and use the rest
C. Scrape off the mould and eat the cheese
D. Put it in the freezer to kill the mould
B. Cut off at least one inch around the mould and use the rest
For hard cheese, mould typically does not penetrate deeply; cutting at least one inch around and below the mouldy area removes spores while the rest remains safe to consume.

Q2. Your idli/dosa batter has risen nicely overnight but you need to keep it for one more day. What is the best action?
A. Leave it on the kitchen counter
B. Stir it and keep it in the refrigerator
C. Add more water to it
D. Cook all of it immediately
B. Stir it and keep it in the refrigerator
Stirring redistributes the starter culture, and refrigeration slows down fermentation, preventing the batter from becoming overly sour or spoiling.

Q3. You are going on a picnic and want to carry homemade potato salad. How can you keep it safe to eat?
A. Pack it warm in a plastic box
B. Prepare it the night before, cool it, and pack it with an ice pack in an insulated bag
C. Add extra mayonnaise to preserve it
D. Leave it in the car trunk
B. Prepare it the night before, cool it, and pack it with an ice pack in an insulated bag
Rapid cooling followed by maintaining a cold temperature with ice packs prevents bacterial growth that thrives in the temperature danger zone between 4°C and 60°C.

Q4. A pot of cooked dal (lentils) was left out overnight. Can you eat it?
A. Yes, just re-boil it well for 5-10 minutes
B. No, it should be thrown away
C. Yes, if it smells okay
D. No, but you can feed it to animals
B. No, it should be thrown away
Food left at room temperature for over two hours enters the danger zone where heat-resistant bacterial toxins can form; reheating kills bacteria but does not destroy toxins.

Q5. You bought too many bananas and they are ripening too fast. What can you do?
A. Put them all in the refrigerator
B. Separate them from each other and store in a cool, dry place
C. Place them in a sealed plastic bag
D. Put them in sunlight
B. Separate them from each other and store in a cool, dry place
Bananas release ethylene gas that accelerates ripening; separating them reduces ethylene concentration, and a cool place slows the ripening process.

Q6. Your jar of pickles has a layer of white scum on top. What does it mean?
A. It is extra salt, mix it in
B. It is a harmless yeast or mould; remove it and the pickles are fine
C. The pickles are spoiled and unsafe to eat
D. It is crystallized sugar
B. It is a harmless yeast or mould; remove it and the pickles are fine
A thin white layer on pickles is often kahm yeast or surface mould that can be skimmed off; the pickles underneath remain safe due to the acidic, salty brine.

Q7. You want to keep cilantro (coriander leaves) fresh for a week. What method works best?
A. Leave it in the plastic bag from the store
B. Wash, dry thoroughly, place in an airtight container with a dry paper towel, and refrigerate
C. Put the bunch in a glass of water on the counter
D. Wrap it in a wet cloth
B. Wash, dry thoroughly, place in an airtight container with a dry paper towel, and refrigerate
Thorough drying removes moisture that encourages decay, while the paper towel absorbs excess humidity, keeping leaves crisp and slowing spoilage.

Q8. You accidentally thawed a packet of frozen chicken on the counter for 5 hours. What should you do?
A. Refreeze it immediately
B. Cook it immediately and thoroughly
C. It is still cold, so it’s safe to put back in the fridge
D. Smell it; if it’s okay, use it
B. Cook it immediately and thoroughly
After prolonged thawing at room temperature, the outer layers have been in the danger zone; immediate thorough cooking can still make it safe, but refreezing is risky.

Q9. You see a few sprouts on your potatoes. Are they safe to eat?
A. Yes, just cut the sprouts off and use the potato
B. No, the whole potato is poisonous now
C. Yes, the sprouts are nutritious
D. No, but you can plant them
A. Yes, just cut the sprouts off and use the potato
Sprouts contain solanine, a mild toxin, but removing them along with any green areas makes the rest of the potato safe to eat.

Q10. Your honey has crystallized and become solid. Is it spoiled?
A. Yes, throw it away
B. No, it is a natural process; gently warm the jar in warm water to liquefy it
C. Yes, crystals mean sugar has separated
D. No, but you must freeze it now
B. No, it is a natural process; gently warm the jar in warm water to liquefy it
Crystallization is a natural process where glucose separates from water due to honey’s low moisture content; gentle warming restores its liquid state without harming quality.

Q11. You are making yogurt, but the milk won’t set. What is a common reason?
A. The milk was too hot when you added the starter
B. The starter (old curd) was inactive or dead
C. You used flavored yogurt as a starter
D. All of the above
D. All of the above
High heat kills Lactobacillus bacteria, inactive starter lacks sufficient live cultures, and flavored yogurt often contains additives or sugars that interfere with proper fermentation.

Q12. After a power cut, the fridge was off for 12 hours. How do you check if the food is safe?
A. If the fridge door was shut, most items are safe if still cool to the touch
B. Taste everything
C. If it smells okay, it’s fine
D. Throw away all dairy and meat immediately
A. If the fridge door was shut, most items are safe if still cool to the touch
A closed fridge maintains cold temperatures for many hours; perishable items that remain cool (below 4°C) are generally safe, but any that feel warm should be discarded.

Q13. You want to keep chapattis soft for tomorrow’s lunch. What should you do?
A. Stack them hot in a sealed plastic bag
B. Let them cool completely, then store in an airtight container
C. Keep them in the oven with the light on
D. Wrap them in a damp cloth
B. Let them cool completely, then store in an airtight container
Cooling prevents condensation that causes sogginess, while an airtight container locks in moisture without trapping excess steam.

Q14. There is a bad smell coming from your kitchen sink drain. What is a likely cause and solution?
A. Pipes are broken, call a plumber
B. Food particles are decomposing in the drain; pour boiling water or a baking soda-vinegar mix down it
C. Ignore it, it will go away
D. Use strong chemical cleaners daily
B. Food particles are decomposing in the drain; pour boiling water or a baking soda-vinegar mix down it
Accumulated organic matter in drains decomposes due to microbial action, producing foul odors; boiling water or the fizzing reaction of baking soda and vinegar helps dislodge and flush out debris.

Q15. Your homemade jam has developed a few spots of mould on the surface. What should you do?
A. Scoop out the mould and use the rest
B. The entire jar should be discarded
C. Add more sugar on top
D. Re-boil the jam and put it in a new jar
B. The entire jar should be discarded
In soft, low-acid foods like jam, mould can penetrate deeply and produce invisible mycotoxins; scooping out surface mould does not guarantee safety.

Q16. You need to store a large quantity of rice for months. What is the best method?
A. Keep it in the original sack in a corner
B. Transfer to airtight containers and store in a cool, dry place
C. Put it in the refrigerator
D. Leave the sack open for ventilation
B. Transfer to airtight containers and store in a cool, dry place
Airtight containers prevent moisture absorption and insect infestation, while a cool, dry environment inhibits microbial growth and grain spoilage.

Q17. Your water bottle, used for a day, has a slippery feel inside. Why?
A. It is the plastic degrading
B. It is a biofilm of bacteria growing on the surface
C. It is leftover soap
D. It is just water
B. It is a biofilm of bacteria growing on the surface
Bacteria colonize moist surfaces and secrete a slimy extracellular matrix called biofilm, which creates the slippery texture inside reusable water bottles.

Q18. You want to quickly cool a large pot of hot soup before refrigerating it. How?
A. Put the whole hot pot in the fridge
B. Place the pot in a sink filled with ice water and stir occasionally
C. Leave it on the counter overnight
D. Add ice cubes to the soup
B. Place the pot in a sink filled with ice water and stir occasionally
Placing the pot in ice water with stirring rapidly lowers the temperature, preventing the soup from staying in the danger zone where bacteria multiply.

Q19. You see small black insects in your flour. What should you do?
A. Sift them out and use the flour
B. Throw away the entire bag of flour
C. Put the bag in the freezer to kill them
D. Mix in more flour to dilute them
B. Throw away the entire bag of flour
Insects in flour often indicate weevils or other pests, along with eggs, droppings, and potential allergens; discarding the entire bag is the safest option.

Q20. Leftover canned food (like baked beans) is in an open can in the fridge. Is this safe?
A. Yes, it’s still in the can
B. No, transfer the contents to a covered container
C. Yes, if you use it within a day
D. No, metal will poison the food
B. No, transfer the contents to a covered container
Once opened, the metal can may impart a metallic taste to food, and exposure to air can cause rust; transferring to a covered glass or plastic container preserves quality.

Q21. You are marinating meat for a barbecue. Where should you keep it?
A. On the kitchen counter for flavor to develop
B. In the refrigerator
C. In the sun to tenderize it
D. In a sealed bag at room temperature
B. In the refrigerator
Marinating meat at room temperature allows bacteria to multiply rapidly; refrigeration keeps the meat at a safe temperature while allowing flavor absorption.

Q22. Your homemade vinegar has tiny, worm-like strands floating in it. What are they?
A. Vinegar eels (nematodes), harmless but indicate non-sterile conditions
B. Maggots, throw it away
C. Plant fibers from the fruit, safe
D. Mould, discard it
A. Vinegar eels (nematodes), harmless but indicate non-sterile conditions
Vinegar eels are harmless nematodes that thrive in acidic environments; they are not pathogenic but indicate that the vinegar was not processed under sterile conditions.

Q23. You want to reuse a glass jar for storing spices. What is a critical first step?
A. Wash it with soap and water
B. Sterilize it by boiling in water or running it through a dishwasher
C. Just wipe it clean
D. Use it as it is
B. Sterilize it by boiling in water or running it through a dishwasher
Sterilization kills any lingering microorganisms that could contaminate spices or cause spoilage, ensuring a clean environment for long-term storage.

Q24. You have a cut on your finger and need to knead dough. What should you do?
A. Knead as usual, the heat will kill germs
B. Wear a waterproof bandage or disposable glove
C. Avoid kneading
D. Put some turmeric on the cut and proceed
B. Wear a waterproof bandage or disposable glove
A waterproof covering prevents bacteria from the open wound from contaminating the food and also protects the cut from exposure to food ingredients that could cause infection.

Q25. You are storing cooked rice for later. How long can it safely stay at room temperature?
A. Up to 6 hours
B. Up to 2 hours
C. Up to 8 hours
D. Overnight is fine
B. Up to 2 hours
Cooked rice can harbor Bacillus cereus spores that survive cooking and germinate at room temperature; food should be refrigerated within two hours to prevent bacterial growth.

Q26. Your fridge has a persistent musty smell. What is a common cause and fix?
A. The motor is failing
B. Spoiled food is hidden somewhere; remove all items, clean shelves with baking soda solution
C. It’s normal for old fridges
D. Spray air freshener inside
B. Spoiled food is hidden somewhere; remove all items, clean shelves with baking soda solution
Musty odors typically result from unnoticed spilled or spoiled food; baking soda neutralizes odors naturally without adding chemicals that could contaminate food.

Q27. You are making lemonade for a party. How can you prevent the cut lemons from making it bitter if prepared ahead?
A. Squeeze the lemons and discard the peels before refrigerating the juice
B. Leave the lemon slices in the pitcher
C. Add the lemon slices just before serving
D. Use warm water
A. Squeeze the lemons and discard the peels before refrigerating the juice
Lemon pith and peels contain bitter compounds called limonoids that leach into liquid over time; removing peels prevents bitterness while storing fresh juice.

Q28. You bought paneer (cottage cheese). How should you store it to keep it fresh?
A. Keep it in the packet with water
B. Drain the water, put the paneer in an airtight container with fresh water, and refrigerate, changing water daily
C. Leave it on the counter in a bowl
D. Freeze it immediately
B. Drain the water, put the paneer in an airtight container with fresh water, and refrigerate, changing water daily
Submerging paneer in fresh water prevents drying and maintains its soft texture; daily water changes inhibit bacterial growth and keep it fresh longer.

Q29. You want to keep your kitchen sponge from smelling bad. What helps?
A. Rinse it and leave it on the sink
B. Rinse, wring out, and let it dry completely between uses
C. Keep it in a sealed bag
D. Microwave it daily when damp for 1 minute
B. Rinse, wring out, and let it dry completely between uses
Drying sponges thoroughly between uses prevents moisture accumulation, which is the primary condition for bacterial growth and odor development.

Q30. You are unsure if a carton of milk is still good, but the expiry date is today. How can you check?
A. Taste a small sip
B. Smell it; sour milk has a distinct, unpleasant sour odour
C. See if it’s curdled when poured into a glass
D. Both b and c are good checks
D. Both b and c are good checks
Sour smell indicates bacterial acid production, and curdling shows that milk proteins have coagulated due to increased acidity; both are reliable indicators without needing to taste.