Question

Match the following:

List-I	List-II
A. Trichoderma	I. Free-living nitrogen-fixing bacteria
B. Penicillium	II. Biocontrol agent
C. Azospirillum	III. Free-living nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria
D. Anabaena	IV. Source of antibiotic

• A. A-II, B-IV, C-III, D-I
• B. A-II, B-IV, C-I, D-III
• C. A-IV, B-II, C-I, D-III
• D. A-I, B-IV, C-II, D-III

Hint:

Remember: Trichoderma = Biocontrol agent, Penicillium = Antibiotic source, Azospirillum = Nitrogen-fixing bacterium, Anabaena = Nitrogen-fixing cyanobacterium.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Concept: Many microorganisms are useful in agriculture, medicine and biotechnology. Some act as biofertilizers, some as biocontrol agents and others produce commercially important antibiotics. Understanding the role of each microorganism is important in microbial biotechnology.

Step 1: Identify Trichoderma. Trichoderma is a fungus widely used as a biocontrol agent. It suppresses pathogenic fungi present in soil and helps protect crops from diseases. Therefore: \[ A \rightarrow II \]

Step 2: Identify Penicillium. Penicillium is famous for producing the antibiotic penicillin. Therefore: \[ B \rightarrow IV \]

Step 3: Identify Azospirillum. Azospirillum is a free-living nitrogen-fixing bacterium that enriches soil fertility. Therefore: \[ C \rightarrow I \]

Step 4: Identify Anabaena. Anabaena is a nitrogen-fixing cyanobacterium. It contains specialized cells called heterocysts for nitrogen fixation. Therefore: \[ D \rightarrow III \]

Step 5: Final matching. \[ A-II,\quad B-IV,\quad C-I,\quad D-III \] Hence option (B) is correct.