UPSC Previous Year Question | Prelims GS | 2021

Consider the following: 1. Bacteria 2. Fungi 3. Virus Which of the above can be cultured in artificial/synthetic medium?

  1. 1 and 2 only
  2. 2 and 3 only
  3. 1 and 3 only
  4. 1, 2 and 3

Answer

Correct Answer

1 and 2 only

Explanation

Bacteria and fungi can be grown on artificial nutrient media such as agar or broth. Viruses are obligate intracellular parasites and need living host cells (cell cultures, embryonated eggs), so they cannot be cultured in a purely synthetic cell-free medium.

Topics: biology, culturing microorganisms in synthetic media, microbiology, science & technology