BIOL271: Microbiology w/Lab
2026 – 2027 | Portage Learning
Module 2: Microbial Metabolism and Enzymatic Reactions
Exam Review | LockDown Browser
By PortageMaster
Question 1
Metabolism is a controlled set of biochemical reactions that occur in living organisms in order to
maintain life. True or False?
• ✓ True
• False
Correct Answer: True
Feedback: Metabolism encompasses all biochemical reactions (catabolism + anabolism) that sustain
life, including energy production, growth, and repair.
Question 2
Enzymes are polysaccharides that catalyze chemical reactions. True or False?
• True
• ✓ False
Correct Answer: False
Feedback: Enzymes are proteins, not polysaccharides. Polysaccharides are carbohydrates such as
starch and glycogen.
Question 3
Enzymes are proteins that catalyze (speed up) chemical reactions. True or False?
• ✓ True
• False
Correct Answer: True
Feedback: Enzymes are biological catalysts — proteins that lower activation energy and accelerate
reaction rates without being consumed.
, Question 4
What are usually the metal ions known to assist enzymes during the catalysis reaction?
✓ Answer: Cofactors — usually metal ions (e.g., Fe2+, Mg2+, Zn2+, Cu2+) that assist
enzymes during the catalysis reaction.
Feedback: Without their cofactor, many enzymes are inactive (the inactive enzyme alone is called an
apoenzyme; with its cofactor it becomes a holoenzyme).
Question 5
Define Catabolism.
✓ Answer: The process of breaking down larger molecules into smaller units, releasing
energy that can be used by the cell.
Feedback: Catabolic reactions are exergonic — they release energy (e.g., glucose → CO2 + H2O +
ATP).
Question 6
Anabolism is?
✓ Answer: The process of building larger molecular structures from smaller subunits
using energy (e.g., amino acids → proteins).
Feedback: Anabolic reactions are endergonic — they consume energy (typically ATP) to synthesize
cellular components.
Question 7
Upon cellular injury, which metabolic process is involved during the growth and repair phases of
the cell?
• Catabolism
• ✓ Anabolism
• Glycolysis
• Fermentation
Correct Answer: Anabolism
Feedback: Growth and repair require building new proteins, membranes, and nucleic acids — this is
the anabolic process.
Question 8
Describe the energy transfer process relative to both ATP and ADP.
✓ Answer: ATP donates energy in the form of a phosphate group, becoming ADP. ADP
accepts energy in the form of a phosphate group, becoming ATP.
Feedback: The ATP ↔ ADP cycle is the cell’s primary energy currency — each phosphate-bond
hydrolysis releases ~7.3 kcal/mol of usable energy.
2026 – 2027 | Portage Learning
Module 2: Microbial Metabolism and Enzymatic Reactions
Exam Review | LockDown Browser
By PortageMaster
Question 1
Metabolism is a controlled set of biochemical reactions that occur in living organisms in order to
maintain life. True or False?
• ✓ True
• False
Correct Answer: True
Feedback: Metabolism encompasses all biochemical reactions (catabolism + anabolism) that sustain
life, including energy production, growth, and repair.
Question 2
Enzymes are polysaccharides that catalyze chemical reactions. True or False?
• True
• ✓ False
Correct Answer: False
Feedback: Enzymes are proteins, not polysaccharides. Polysaccharides are carbohydrates such as
starch and glycogen.
Question 3
Enzymes are proteins that catalyze (speed up) chemical reactions. True or False?
• ✓ True
• False
Correct Answer: True
Feedback: Enzymes are biological catalysts — proteins that lower activation energy and accelerate
reaction rates without being consumed.
, Question 4
What are usually the metal ions known to assist enzymes during the catalysis reaction?
✓ Answer: Cofactors — usually metal ions (e.g., Fe2+, Mg2+, Zn2+, Cu2+) that assist
enzymes during the catalysis reaction.
Feedback: Without their cofactor, many enzymes are inactive (the inactive enzyme alone is called an
apoenzyme; with its cofactor it becomes a holoenzyme).
Question 5
Define Catabolism.
✓ Answer: The process of breaking down larger molecules into smaller units, releasing
energy that can be used by the cell.
Feedback: Catabolic reactions are exergonic — they release energy (e.g., glucose → CO2 + H2O +
ATP).
Question 6
Anabolism is?
✓ Answer: The process of building larger molecular structures from smaller subunits
using energy (e.g., amino acids → proteins).
Feedback: Anabolic reactions are endergonic — they consume energy (typically ATP) to synthesize
cellular components.
Question 7
Upon cellular injury, which metabolic process is involved during the growth and repair phases of
the cell?
• Catabolism
• ✓ Anabolism
• Glycolysis
• Fermentation
Correct Answer: Anabolism
Feedback: Growth and repair require building new proteins, membranes, and nucleic acids — this is
the anabolic process.
Question 8
Describe the energy transfer process relative to both ATP and ADP.
✓ Answer: ATP donates energy in the form of a phosphate group, becoming ADP. ADP
accepts energy in the form of a phosphate group, becoming ATP.
Feedback: The ATP ↔ ADP cycle is the cell’s primary energy currency — each phosphate-bond
hydrolysis releases ~7.3 kcal/mol of usable energy.
