Final answer:
The statement 'Dip slides provide precise measurements when it comes to microbial activity' is false. Instead, tools like the Petroff-Hausser counting chamber are used for more precise measurements. Dip slides are used for estimation rather than precise microbial activity measurement.
Step-by-step explanation:
Regarding the statement, "Dip slides provide precise measurements when it comes to microbial activity," the correct answer is B) false. Dip slides are a convenient tool for estimating microbial contamination but do not provide precise measurements of microbial activity. They are used primarily for on-site testing in various industries, and while they can indicate the presence of bacteria, they are not as precise as other quantitative methods.
To measure the concentration of bacterial contamination in a process like peanut butter production, a Petroff-Hausser counting chamber might be used, which allows for the direct counting of bacteria under a microscope in a known volume. This is a more precise method than using dip slides. The exposure to air is not necessary for all microbial growth, as some microorganisms are anaerobic and do not require oxygen. Additionally, bacterial ribosomes are 70S, each composed of a 50S large subunit and a 30S small subunit, and not 80S as mentioned in the false statement.
When estimating the growth of a culture, a spectrophotometer may be used or indirect methods such as measuring products of cell metabolism can be utilized. These approaches indicate the activity of the culture without providing a direct count of bacteria.