IGNOU MBCE-14 Microbiology - IGNOU Solved Assignment (Latest)

IGNOU MBCE-14 (January 2026 – December 2026) Assignment Questions

PART-(A)

1(a). Discuss the role of microorganisms in fermentation.
(b) Write a short note on polyphasic taxonomy.

2. (a) Explain the terms: phylogenetic tree and molecular characterization of microorganisms.
(b) What is BiOLOG and its application?

3. (a)Explain the general structure of a bacterial cell.
(b)Draw and discuss the generalized life cycle of fungi.

4. (a)Explain the term active transport and discuss its role in nutrition uptake by bacterial cell.
(b) Discuss various mechanisms of action of antimicrobial drugs. (5)

5. (a) Explain the purpose of following culture media and give one example of each:
(i) differential medium (ii) semi-solid medium
(b) Compare positive and negative staining methods with suitable examples.

PART- (B)

6. (a) Explain the principal, construction and application of bacteriological incubator.
(b) Discuss the causative agent, symptoms and diagnosis of following diseases:
(i) Rabies (ii) Diphtheria

7. (a) Discuss the role of following in immune system:
(i) Mechanical barriers (ii) Granulocytes
(b) What is role of inflammation in host defense against a pathogen?

8. (a) Name four mechanisms employed by viruses to evade immune system ofhost. Briefly discuss any one of these.
(b) Why do bacteria form biofilms?

9. (a) Discuss any one type of microbial interaction.
(b) How do microbes help in maintaining a clean environment?

10. (a) Write a brief note on reef building corals.
(b) What are the differences between genotyping and phenotyping.

IGNOU MBCE-14 (January 2025 – December 2025) Assignment Questions

PART-(A)

1(a). Explain the contribution of following scientists in the field of microbiology:
(i) Joseph Lister
(ii) Alexander Fleming
(iii) Robert Koch
(b) Explain the experiment performed by Francesco Redi to disprove the theory of spontaneous generation.

2. (a) State the differences between Whittaker’s and Carl Woes classification systems.
(b) What is meant by phylogeny? Discuss the importance of phylogenetic tree.

3. (a)State five differences between prokaryotes and eukaryotes
(b) What is differential staining? Give two examples.

4. (a) Differentiate between:
i. active transport and facilitated diffusion
ii. sterilization and disinfection.
(b) Explain various physical methods for sterilization.

5. (a) Discuss methods used for evaluation of antimicrobial efficacy.
(b) Compare pour plate and spread plate methods for microbial isolation.

PART- (B)

6. (a) Name the causative agent of meningitis, diphtheria, genital herpes, poliomyelitis and measles.
(b) Discuss the role of antimicrobial peptides in innate immune response?

7. (a) How do activated B cells help defend against pathogens?
(b) What is role of inflammation in host defense against a pathogen?

8. (a) Name four mechanisms employed by viruses to evade immune system of host. Briefly discuss any one of these.
(b) Why do bacteria form biofilms?

9. (a) Discuss any one type of microbial interaction.
(b) How do microbes help in maintaining a clean environment?

10. (a) Write a brief note on reef building corals.
(b) What are the differences between genotyping and phenotyping.