Microbiology is the study of what? - ANSWER Microbiology is the study of microbes (mi-
croorganisms and viruses) and their biological processes.
What is the smallest biological unit of life? - ANSWER A Cell
What is a macromolecule? - ANSWER A macromolecule is classified as a complex mole-
cule that is composed from smaller subunits.
What are the four main types of macromolecules? - ANSWER 1. Carbohydrates
2. Lipids
3. Proteins
4. Nucleic Acids
What various functions do proteins have in a cell? - ANSWER Proteins may facilitate the
movement of materials in or out of a cell. Some can act as enzymes that catalyze, or speed
up, biochemical processes. Others play a structural role while other proteins, such as fila-
ments, enable movement.
What are the two major types of nucleic acids and their roles? - ANSWER There are two
major types of nucleic acids: DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid). Nucleic
acids are chemical molecules that carry genetic information within the cell. DNA contains a
vast amount of hereditary information and is responsible for the inheritable characteristics
of living organisms. RNA is responsible for deciphering the hereditary information in DNA
and using it to synthesize proteins.
1
,What is the plasma membrane, and what is it made up of? - ANSWER The plasma mem-
brane serves the cell as a surrounding barrier that separates the inside of the cell from the
outside surrounding environment. The plasma membrane also restricts the movement of
materials (water, nutrients, etc) either in or out of the cell, thus allowing a cells to absorb
and keep what is needed (influx) while also preventing the escape (out flux) of essential nu-
trients. The plasma membrane is composed of lipids (hydrophobic hydrocarbons).
What are the three main components of polysaccharides? - ANSWER Polysaccharides are
composed of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen atoms. Examples would include, C6H12O6 (glu-
cose) C12H22O11 (sucrose) and C6H10O5 (cellulose).
What is the primary difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells? - ANSWER Eu-
karyotic cells contain a nucleus, a membrane enclosed region within the cell that contains
the genetic material. Prokaryotic cells do not have a nucleus and can be further classified as
either Bacteria or Archaea.
What are the main morphologies of bacteria? - ANSWER Bacteria can be described as
coccus (round/spherical), bacillus (rod), vibrio (curved rod) or spirillum (spiral/corkscrew).
Which group (classification) of microbes is noted for its ability to survive under harsh condi-
tions? - ANSWER Archaea. They are able to survive in extremely harsh environmental
conditions such as high salt levels, acid conditions, high temperatures and oxygen-poor con-
ditions.
What are the four main classifications of Eukarya? - ANSWER Eukaryotic microorganisms
are classified as either belonging to Animalia, Plantae, Fungi or Protista.
Can viruses be classified as either prokaryotic or eukaryotic? - ANSWER No. Viruses are
considered neither prokaryotic nor eukaryotic. Viruses are not considered living and do not
replicate on their own, meaning they must replicate within a host.
The lipid bilayer of the plasma membrane is composed of what? - ANSWER The cell
membrane is a bilayer composed primarily of amphipathic phospholipids, meaning they
2
,contain a polar hydrophilic (water loving) head group and a non-polar hydrophobic (water
fearing) tail region. The lipid bilayer is situated in such a way where the non-polar tail groups
face inward thus orienting the polar head groups to interact with water both outside and in-
side of the cell.
What are the primary cellular organelles described in this module? Be sure to know the roles
of each. - ANSWER Ribosomes (protein synthesis), ER (site of protein synthesis), Golgi
(protein modification and distribution), lysosomes (waste disposal), mitochondria (ATP gen-
eration) and chloroplasts (plants only; site of photosynthesis).
Ribosomes - ANSWER protein synthesis
ER - ANSWER Site of protein synthesis
Golgi complex - ANSWER protein modification and distribution
Lysosomes - ANSWER waste disposal
Mitochondria - ANSWER ATP production
Chloroplasts - ANSWER Site of photosynthesis
Enzymes - ANSWER A protein(s) that speeds up a biochemical reaction
Cofactor - ANSWER A chemical component that assists enzymes during reactions
In the absence of a cofactor, the enzyme is _____ - ANSWER inactive
Catabolism - ANSWER Process of breaking down large molecules into energy sources
3
, Anabolism - ANSWER Building up of macromolecules from smaller molecules. Often used
for growth and repair of a cell
Why are enzymes necessary for metabolic processes? - ANSWER because metabolic pro-
cesses would take up too much energy and time
What is the most widely used form of energy in cells? - ANSWER adenosine triphosphate
Phototrophs - ANSWER acquire energy from photons of light
chemotrophs - ANSWER acquire energy from preformed chemicals in the environment
2 types of chemotrophs? - ANSWER organotrophs and lithotrophs
organotrophs - ANSWER remove electrons from organic molecules, such as glucose
lithotrophs - ANSWER remove electrons from inorganic molecules such as elemental sul-
fur
carbon is necessary for - ANSWER carry8ing out metabolic processes
heterotrophs - ANSWER derive carbon from organic molecules, such as sugar
autotrophs - ANSWER derive carbon from inorganic molecules, most often CO2
Phosphorylation - ANSWER the process of adding a phosphate group to form ATP
4
croorganisms and viruses) and their biological processes.
What is the smallest biological unit of life? - ANSWER A Cell
What is a macromolecule? - ANSWER A macromolecule is classified as a complex mole-
cule that is composed from smaller subunits.
What are the four main types of macromolecules? - ANSWER 1. Carbohydrates
2. Lipids
3. Proteins
4. Nucleic Acids
What various functions do proteins have in a cell? - ANSWER Proteins may facilitate the
movement of materials in or out of a cell. Some can act as enzymes that catalyze, or speed
up, biochemical processes. Others play a structural role while other proteins, such as fila-
ments, enable movement.
What are the two major types of nucleic acids and their roles? - ANSWER There are two
major types of nucleic acids: DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid). Nucleic
acids are chemical molecules that carry genetic information within the cell. DNA contains a
vast amount of hereditary information and is responsible for the inheritable characteristics
of living organisms. RNA is responsible for deciphering the hereditary information in DNA
and using it to synthesize proteins.
1
,What is the plasma membrane, and what is it made up of? - ANSWER The plasma mem-
brane serves the cell as a surrounding barrier that separates the inside of the cell from the
outside surrounding environment. The plasma membrane also restricts the movement of
materials (water, nutrients, etc) either in or out of the cell, thus allowing a cells to absorb
and keep what is needed (influx) while also preventing the escape (out flux) of essential nu-
trients. The plasma membrane is composed of lipids (hydrophobic hydrocarbons).
What are the three main components of polysaccharides? - ANSWER Polysaccharides are
composed of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen atoms. Examples would include, C6H12O6 (glu-
cose) C12H22O11 (sucrose) and C6H10O5 (cellulose).
What is the primary difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells? - ANSWER Eu-
karyotic cells contain a nucleus, a membrane enclosed region within the cell that contains
the genetic material. Prokaryotic cells do not have a nucleus and can be further classified as
either Bacteria or Archaea.
What are the main morphologies of bacteria? - ANSWER Bacteria can be described as
coccus (round/spherical), bacillus (rod), vibrio (curved rod) or spirillum (spiral/corkscrew).
Which group (classification) of microbes is noted for its ability to survive under harsh condi-
tions? - ANSWER Archaea. They are able to survive in extremely harsh environmental
conditions such as high salt levels, acid conditions, high temperatures and oxygen-poor con-
ditions.
What are the four main classifications of Eukarya? - ANSWER Eukaryotic microorganisms
are classified as either belonging to Animalia, Plantae, Fungi or Protista.
Can viruses be classified as either prokaryotic or eukaryotic? - ANSWER No. Viruses are
considered neither prokaryotic nor eukaryotic. Viruses are not considered living and do not
replicate on their own, meaning they must replicate within a host.
The lipid bilayer of the plasma membrane is composed of what? - ANSWER The cell
membrane is a bilayer composed primarily of amphipathic phospholipids, meaning they
2
,contain a polar hydrophilic (water loving) head group and a non-polar hydrophobic (water
fearing) tail region. The lipid bilayer is situated in such a way where the non-polar tail groups
face inward thus orienting the polar head groups to interact with water both outside and in-
side of the cell.
What are the primary cellular organelles described in this module? Be sure to know the roles
of each. - ANSWER Ribosomes (protein synthesis), ER (site of protein synthesis), Golgi
(protein modification and distribution), lysosomes (waste disposal), mitochondria (ATP gen-
eration) and chloroplasts (plants only; site of photosynthesis).
Ribosomes - ANSWER protein synthesis
ER - ANSWER Site of protein synthesis
Golgi complex - ANSWER protein modification and distribution
Lysosomes - ANSWER waste disposal
Mitochondria - ANSWER ATP production
Chloroplasts - ANSWER Site of photosynthesis
Enzymes - ANSWER A protein(s) that speeds up a biochemical reaction
Cofactor - ANSWER A chemical component that assists enzymes during reactions
In the absence of a cofactor, the enzyme is _____ - ANSWER inactive
Catabolism - ANSWER Process of breaking down large molecules into energy sources
3
, Anabolism - ANSWER Building up of macromolecules from smaller molecules. Often used
for growth and repair of a cell
Why are enzymes necessary for metabolic processes? - ANSWER because metabolic pro-
cesses would take up too much energy and time
What is the most widely used form of energy in cells? - ANSWER adenosine triphosphate
Phototrophs - ANSWER acquire energy from photons of light
chemotrophs - ANSWER acquire energy from preformed chemicals in the environment
2 types of chemotrophs? - ANSWER organotrophs and lithotrophs
organotrophs - ANSWER remove electrons from organic molecules, such as glucose
lithotrophs - ANSWER remove electrons from inorganic molecules such as elemental sul-
fur
carbon is necessary for - ANSWER carry8ing out metabolic processes
heterotrophs - ANSWER derive carbon from organic molecules, such as sugar
autotrophs - ANSWER derive carbon from inorganic molecules, most often CO2
Phosphorylation - ANSWER the process of adding a phosphate group to form ATP
4
