CHAMBERLAIN UNIVERSITY
2 MAXE
CU
EST. 1889 College of Nursing & Health Professions
BIOS 242: Fundamentals of Microbiology
EXAMINATION II — MICROBIAL METABOLISM, GROWTH, CONTROL & PATHOGENESIS
INSTITUTION PROGRAM
Chamberlain University Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
COURSE CODE COURSE TITLE
BIOS 242 Fundamentals of Microbiology
ACADEMIC YEAR EXAM TITLE
2025–2026 Examination II — Metabolism, Control & Pathogenesis
TOTAL QUESTIONS EXAM FORMAT
60 Multiple Choice — Select the Single Best Answer
General Instructions
▸ Read each question carefully before selecting your answer.
▸ Select the single best answer for each multiple-choice item.
▸ This examination covers microbial nutrition and growth, metabolism, physical and chemical control methods,
antimicrobial agents, and host-microbe interactions.
▸ All questions are weighted equally unless otherwise noted.
▸ Electronic devices, notes, and reference materials are prohibited during the examination.
Q MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS 60 Questions
,1. A photoautotroph uses which energy and carbon sources?
A. Chemical energy; organic carbon
B. Light energy; CO₂
C. Light energy; organic carbon
D. Chemical energy; CO₂
CORRECT ANSWER:
B. Light energy; CO₂
RATIONALE:
Photoautotrophs capture light energy through photosynthesis and fix carbon dioxide (CO₂) as their carbon
source. Examples include plants, algae, and cyanobacteria. Option A describes chemoheterotrophs (most
pathogens). Option C describes photoheterotrophs (some bacteria). Option D describes chemoautotrophs
(nitrogen-fixing bacteria).
2. A chemoautotroph obtains energy from chemicals and carbon from CO₂. Which is an example?
A. Plants
B. Nitrogen-fixing bacteria
C. Most human pathogens
D. Fungi
CORRECT ANSWER:
B. Nitrogen-fixing bacteria
RATIONALE:
Chemoautotrophs use inorganic chemical energy sources (such as ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, or iron) and CO₂
as their carbon source. Nitrogen-fixing bacteria in soil are classic examples. Plants (A) are photoautotrophs.
Most human pathogens (C) and fungi (D) are chemoheterotrophs using organic carbon sources.
,3. A photoheterotroph uses light as an energy source but requires organic carbon. Which organisms fit this
classification?
A. Green plants
B. Some bacteria
C. All fungi
D. Protozoa only
CORRECT ANSWER:
B. Some bacteria
RATIONALE:
Photoheterotrophs are relatively uncommon organisms that capture light energy but must obtain carbon from
organic sources. Certain purple non-sulfur bacteria and green non-sulfur bacteria exhibit this nutritional
pattern. Green plants (A) are photoautotrophs. Fungi (C) are chemoheterotrophs. Protozoa (D) are also
chemoheterotrophs.
4. A chemoheterotroph uses chemical energy and organic carbon. Which group does this describe?
A. Cyanobacteria
B. Most pathogens
C. Green algae
D. Methanogens
CORRECT ANSWER:
B. Most pathogens
RATIONALE:
Chemoheterotrophs obtain both energy and carbon from organic compounds. This category includes the vast
majority of medically important microorganisms — all human pathogens (bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and
helminths). Cyanobacteria (A) and green algae (C) are photoautotrophs. Methanogens (D) are chemoautotrophs
in the Archaea domain.
, 5. A saprobe feeds on dead matter and functions as a decomposer. How does this differ from a parasite?
A. A saprobe causes disease; a parasite does not
B. A saprobe feeds on dead matter; a parasite feeds on a living host and causes disease
C. Both feed on living tissue
D. A parasite is always a virus
CORRECT ANSWER:
B. A saprobe feeds on dead matter; a parasite feeds on a living host and causes disease
RATIONALE:
Saprobes (saprophytes) are decomposers that obtain nutrients from dead organic matter and are ecologically
beneficial. Parasites derive nutrients from living hosts, typically causing harm or disease in the process. This is a
fundamental ecological distinction. Option A reverses the relationship. Option C is incorrect — saprobes feed on
dead matter. Option D is incorrect — parasites include diverse organisms.
6. A psychrophile lives in cold temperatures and is associated with:
A. Hot springs
B. Food spoilage in refrigeration
C. Human body temperature
D. High-pressure deep-sea environments
CORRECT ANSWER:
B. Food spoilage in refrigeration
RATIONALE:
Psychrophiles are cold-loving organisms with optimal growth temperatures around 15°C or below. They are
responsible for food spoilage even under refrigeration. Thermophiles (A) live in hot springs. Mesophiles (C)
thrive at human body temperature. Barophiles (D) thrive under high pressure.
2 MAXE
CU
EST. 1889 College of Nursing & Health Professions
BIOS 242: Fundamentals of Microbiology
EXAMINATION II — MICROBIAL METABOLISM, GROWTH, CONTROL & PATHOGENESIS
INSTITUTION PROGRAM
Chamberlain University Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
COURSE CODE COURSE TITLE
BIOS 242 Fundamentals of Microbiology
ACADEMIC YEAR EXAM TITLE
2025–2026 Examination II — Metabolism, Control & Pathogenesis
TOTAL QUESTIONS EXAM FORMAT
60 Multiple Choice — Select the Single Best Answer
General Instructions
▸ Read each question carefully before selecting your answer.
▸ Select the single best answer for each multiple-choice item.
▸ This examination covers microbial nutrition and growth, metabolism, physical and chemical control methods,
antimicrobial agents, and host-microbe interactions.
▸ All questions are weighted equally unless otherwise noted.
▸ Electronic devices, notes, and reference materials are prohibited during the examination.
Q MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS 60 Questions
,1. A photoautotroph uses which energy and carbon sources?
A. Chemical energy; organic carbon
B. Light energy; CO₂
C. Light energy; organic carbon
D. Chemical energy; CO₂
CORRECT ANSWER:
B. Light energy; CO₂
RATIONALE:
Photoautotrophs capture light energy through photosynthesis and fix carbon dioxide (CO₂) as their carbon
source. Examples include plants, algae, and cyanobacteria. Option A describes chemoheterotrophs (most
pathogens). Option C describes photoheterotrophs (some bacteria). Option D describes chemoautotrophs
(nitrogen-fixing bacteria).
2. A chemoautotroph obtains energy from chemicals and carbon from CO₂. Which is an example?
A. Plants
B. Nitrogen-fixing bacteria
C. Most human pathogens
D. Fungi
CORRECT ANSWER:
B. Nitrogen-fixing bacteria
RATIONALE:
Chemoautotrophs use inorganic chemical energy sources (such as ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, or iron) and CO₂
as their carbon source. Nitrogen-fixing bacteria in soil are classic examples. Plants (A) are photoautotrophs.
Most human pathogens (C) and fungi (D) are chemoheterotrophs using organic carbon sources.
,3. A photoheterotroph uses light as an energy source but requires organic carbon. Which organisms fit this
classification?
A. Green plants
B. Some bacteria
C. All fungi
D. Protozoa only
CORRECT ANSWER:
B. Some bacteria
RATIONALE:
Photoheterotrophs are relatively uncommon organisms that capture light energy but must obtain carbon from
organic sources. Certain purple non-sulfur bacteria and green non-sulfur bacteria exhibit this nutritional
pattern. Green plants (A) are photoautotrophs. Fungi (C) are chemoheterotrophs. Protozoa (D) are also
chemoheterotrophs.
4. A chemoheterotroph uses chemical energy and organic carbon. Which group does this describe?
A. Cyanobacteria
B. Most pathogens
C. Green algae
D. Methanogens
CORRECT ANSWER:
B. Most pathogens
RATIONALE:
Chemoheterotrophs obtain both energy and carbon from organic compounds. This category includes the vast
majority of medically important microorganisms — all human pathogens (bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and
helminths). Cyanobacteria (A) and green algae (C) are photoautotrophs. Methanogens (D) are chemoautotrophs
in the Archaea domain.
, 5. A saprobe feeds on dead matter and functions as a decomposer. How does this differ from a parasite?
A. A saprobe causes disease; a parasite does not
B. A saprobe feeds on dead matter; a parasite feeds on a living host and causes disease
C. Both feed on living tissue
D. A parasite is always a virus
CORRECT ANSWER:
B. A saprobe feeds on dead matter; a parasite feeds on a living host and causes disease
RATIONALE:
Saprobes (saprophytes) are decomposers that obtain nutrients from dead organic matter and are ecologically
beneficial. Parasites derive nutrients from living hosts, typically causing harm or disease in the process. This is a
fundamental ecological distinction. Option A reverses the relationship. Option C is incorrect — saprobes feed on
dead matter. Option D is incorrect — parasites include diverse organisms.
6. A psychrophile lives in cold temperatures and is associated with:
A. Hot springs
B. Food spoilage in refrigeration
C. Human body temperature
D. High-pressure deep-sea environments
CORRECT ANSWER:
B. Food spoilage in refrigeration
RATIONALE:
Psychrophiles are cold-loving organisms with optimal growth temperatures around 15°C or below. They are
responsible for food spoilage even under refrigeration. Thermophiles (A) live in hot springs. Mesophiles (C)
thrive at human body temperature. Barophiles (D) thrive under high pressure.
