Chamberlain University
1 KEEW • 242 SOIB
★ ★
C College of Nursing & Public Health
J O U R N E Y T O E X T R A O R D I N A R Y CO M PA S S I O N AT E C A R E
EST. 1889
BIOS 242 — Week 1 Concepts: The Cell
F U N D A M E N TA LS O F M I C R O B I O LO G Y: C L A SS I F I C AT I O N , M I C R O S CO P Y & G E N E T I CS
INSTITUTION Chamberlain University COURSE CODE BIOS 242
PROGRAM Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) ACADEMIC YEAR
MODULE Week 1 – The Cell: Classification, Microscopy & Genetics TOTAL QUESTIONS 40 Questions
COURSE TITLE Fundamentals of Microbiology FORMAT Multiple Choice — Select the Single Best Answer
EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
▸ Select the single best answer for each multiple-choice question.
▸ This Week 1 assessment covers classification of microorganisms (prokaryotes, eukaryotes, acellular agents), microscopy types, staining techniques, the Five I's, historical figures,
taxonomy/binomial nomenclature, media types, DNA/RNA structure, mutations, and horizontal gene transfer.
▸ Questions are drawn from the complete BIOS 242 Week 1 Concepts: The Cell content.
▸ Correct answers and detailed rationales appear below each question for comprehensive review.
▸ All content reflects Chamberlain University BIOS 242 course competencies and learning objectives.
THE CELL — CLASSIFICATION, MICROSCOPY, STAINING & MICROBIAL GENETICS Questions 1 – 40
1. Viruses, viroids, and prions are not considered living organisms because they are:
A. Prokaryotic
B. Eukaryotic
C. Acellular (lacking a cell)
D. Multicellular
CORRECT ANSWER C — Acellular (lacking a cell)
RATIONALE Viruses, viroids, and prions are acellular infectious agents—they lack cellular organization including cell membrane, cytoplasm, and organelles. Viruses consist
only of nucleic acid (DNA or RNA) and a protein coat. Prokaryotes (A) and eukaryotes (B) are cellular organisms. They are not multicellular (D).
2. The instrument needed to magnify the image of microorganisms for observation is a:
A. Spectrophotometer
B. Centrifuge
C. Microscope
D. Autoclave
CORRECT ANSWER C — Microscope
RATIONALE Microorganisms are too small to be seen with the naked eye and require a microscope for visualization. A spectrophotometer (A) measures light absorption. A
centrifuge (B) separates components by density. An autoclave (D) sterilizes using steam under pressure.
3. Using microbes to clean the environment of toxic chemicals is an example of:
A. Pasteurization
B. Bioremediation
C. Sterilization
D. Fermentation
CORRECT ANSWER B — Bioremediation
RATIONALE Bioremediation uses microbial metabolism to degrade or detoxify environmental pollutants. Microbes are diverse in their metabolic capabilities, making them
valuable for cleaning oil spills, industrial waste, and other toxic chemicals. Pasteurization (A) reduces spoilage organisms in food.
4. Who is known as the "Father of Microbiology" and called microbes "animalcules"?
A. Louis Pasteur
B. Robert Koch
C. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek
D. Joseph Lister
CORRECT ANSWER C — Antonie van Leeuwenhoek
RATIONALE Leeuwenhoek, a Dutch merchant, made the first simple microscope with ~300x magnification and was the first to observe living microorganisms, which he called
"animalcules." He reported protozoa in 1674 and bacteria a few years later. Pasteur (A) developed pasteurization and disproved spontaneous generation.
, 5. Who was the first person to use swan-neck flasks to disprove the theory of spontaneous generation?
A. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek
B. Robert Koch
C. Joseph Lister
D. Louis Pasteur
CORRECT ANSWER D — Louis Pasteur
RATIONALE Louis Pasteur's swan-neck flask experiment definitively disproved spontaneous generation by showing that sterile broth remained free of microbial growth when
protected from airborne contamination. Koch (B) developed postulates linking specific organisms to diseases. Lister (C) pioneered antiseptic surgery.
6. Which field of microbiology monitors and controls the spread of diseases in communities?
A. Medical Microbiology
B. Immunology
C. Public Health Microbiology and Epidemiology
D. Industrial Microbiology
CORRECT ANSWER C — Public Health Microbiology and Epidemiology
RATIONALE Public Health Microbiology and Epidemiology monitor and control disease spread in communities through institutions like the CDC and WHO. Medical
Microbiology (A) deals with disease-causing microbes. Immunology (B) studies protective immune responses. Industrial Microbiology (D) safeguards food/water.
7. According to the Binomial System, the scientific name of any living organism has which characteristics? (Select all that apply)
A. A combination of the genus and species name
B. The genus name is always capitalized and the species name begins with a lowercase letter
C. Both names should be italicized when in print or underlined when written by hand
D. Only the species name is used in scientific writing
CORRECT ANSWER A, B, and C — Genus + species; genus capitalized, species lowercase; italicized or underlined
RATIONALE Binomial nomenclature uses two names: the genus (capitalized) and the species (lowercase). Both are italicized in print or underlined when handwritten.
Example: Streptococcus pyogenes. Option D is incorrect—both names are required. This system was developed by Carolus Linnaeus.
8. Which organisms lack membrane-bound cellular organelles and have cell walls made of peptidoglycan?
A. Fungi
B. Protozoa
C. Bacteria
D. Algae
CORRECT ANSWER C — Bacteria
RATIONALE Bacteria are prokaryotes—they lack membrane-bound organelles (no nucleus, mitochondria, etc.) and have cell walls composed of peptidoglycan (though some
bacteria lack cell walls entirely). Fungi (A) are eukaryotes with chitin cell walls. Protozoa (B) are eukaryotes without cell walls.
9. E. coli is classified as a:
A. Protozoan
B. Bacterium (prokaryote)
C. Virus
D. Fungus
CORRECT ANSWER B — Bacterium (prokaryote)
RATIONALE Escherichia coli is a prokaryotic bacterium—a single-celled organism with peptidoglycan cell walls that reproduces asexually. Vorticella (A) is a protozoan. Herpes
simplex (C) is a virus. Fungi (D) include yeasts and molds and are eukaryotic.
10. Archaea differ from bacteria in that archaea:
A. Are eukaryotic organisms
B. Have cell walls that lack peptidoglycan and are composed of other polymers
C. Are acellular infectious agents
D. Are always pathogenic to humans
CORRECT ANSWER B — Have cell walls that lack peptidoglycan and are composed of other polymers
RATIONALE Archaea are prokaryotes like bacteria, but their cell walls lack peptidoglycan—instead composed of pseudopeptidoglycan or protein. They are not eukaryotic (A),
are cellular not acellular (C), and none are known to cause human disease (D). They reproduce asexually and are often extremophiles.
11. Fungi are eukaryotic organisms that obtain food from other organisms and have cell walls made of:
A. Peptidoglycan
B. Cellulose
C. Chitin
D. Lipopolysaccharide
CORRECT ANSWER C — Chitin
RATIONALE Fungi (yeasts and molds) are eukaryotic heterotrophs with cell walls composed of chitin—the same polymer found in arthropod exoskeletons. Peptidoglycan (A) is
unique to bacteria. Cellulose (B) is found in plant and algal cell walls. Lipopolysaccharide (D) is in Gram-negative bacterial outer membranes.
1 KEEW • 242 SOIB
★ ★
C College of Nursing & Public Health
J O U R N E Y T O E X T R A O R D I N A R Y CO M PA S S I O N AT E C A R E
EST. 1889
BIOS 242 — Week 1 Concepts: The Cell
F U N D A M E N TA LS O F M I C R O B I O LO G Y: C L A SS I F I C AT I O N , M I C R O S CO P Y & G E N E T I CS
INSTITUTION Chamberlain University COURSE CODE BIOS 242
PROGRAM Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) ACADEMIC YEAR
MODULE Week 1 – The Cell: Classification, Microscopy & Genetics TOTAL QUESTIONS 40 Questions
COURSE TITLE Fundamentals of Microbiology FORMAT Multiple Choice — Select the Single Best Answer
EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
▸ Select the single best answer for each multiple-choice question.
▸ This Week 1 assessment covers classification of microorganisms (prokaryotes, eukaryotes, acellular agents), microscopy types, staining techniques, the Five I's, historical figures,
taxonomy/binomial nomenclature, media types, DNA/RNA structure, mutations, and horizontal gene transfer.
▸ Questions are drawn from the complete BIOS 242 Week 1 Concepts: The Cell content.
▸ Correct answers and detailed rationales appear below each question for comprehensive review.
▸ All content reflects Chamberlain University BIOS 242 course competencies and learning objectives.
THE CELL — CLASSIFICATION, MICROSCOPY, STAINING & MICROBIAL GENETICS Questions 1 – 40
1. Viruses, viroids, and prions are not considered living organisms because they are:
A. Prokaryotic
B. Eukaryotic
C. Acellular (lacking a cell)
D. Multicellular
CORRECT ANSWER C — Acellular (lacking a cell)
RATIONALE Viruses, viroids, and prions are acellular infectious agents—they lack cellular organization including cell membrane, cytoplasm, and organelles. Viruses consist
only of nucleic acid (DNA or RNA) and a protein coat. Prokaryotes (A) and eukaryotes (B) are cellular organisms. They are not multicellular (D).
2. The instrument needed to magnify the image of microorganisms for observation is a:
A. Spectrophotometer
B. Centrifuge
C. Microscope
D. Autoclave
CORRECT ANSWER C — Microscope
RATIONALE Microorganisms are too small to be seen with the naked eye and require a microscope for visualization. A spectrophotometer (A) measures light absorption. A
centrifuge (B) separates components by density. An autoclave (D) sterilizes using steam under pressure.
3. Using microbes to clean the environment of toxic chemicals is an example of:
A. Pasteurization
B. Bioremediation
C. Sterilization
D. Fermentation
CORRECT ANSWER B — Bioremediation
RATIONALE Bioremediation uses microbial metabolism to degrade or detoxify environmental pollutants. Microbes are diverse in their metabolic capabilities, making them
valuable for cleaning oil spills, industrial waste, and other toxic chemicals. Pasteurization (A) reduces spoilage organisms in food.
4. Who is known as the "Father of Microbiology" and called microbes "animalcules"?
A. Louis Pasteur
B. Robert Koch
C. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek
D. Joseph Lister
CORRECT ANSWER C — Antonie van Leeuwenhoek
RATIONALE Leeuwenhoek, a Dutch merchant, made the first simple microscope with ~300x magnification and was the first to observe living microorganisms, which he called
"animalcules." He reported protozoa in 1674 and bacteria a few years later. Pasteur (A) developed pasteurization and disproved spontaneous generation.
, 5. Who was the first person to use swan-neck flasks to disprove the theory of spontaneous generation?
A. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek
B. Robert Koch
C. Joseph Lister
D. Louis Pasteur
CORRECT ANSWER D — Louis Pasteur
RATIONALE Louis Pasteur's swan-neck flask experiment definitively disproved spontaneous generation by showing that sterile broth remained free of microbial growth when
protected from airborne contamination. Koch (B) developed postulates linking specific organisms to diseases. Lister (C) pioneered antiseptic surgery.
6. Which field of microbiology monitors and controls the spread of diseases in communities?
A. Medical Microbiology
B. Immunology
C. Public Health Microbiology and Epidemiology
D. Industrial Microbiology
CORRECT ANSWER C — Public Health Microbiology and Epidemiology
RATIONALE Public Health Microbiology and Epidemiology monitor and control disease spread in communities through institutions like the CDC and WHO. Medical
Microbiology (A) deals with disease-causing microbes. Immunology (B) studies protective immune responses. Industrial Microbiology (D) safeguards food/water.
7. According to the Binomial System, the scientific name of any living organism has which characteristics? (Select all that apply)
A. A combination of the genus and species name
B. The genus name is always capitalized and the species name begins with a lowercase letter
C. Both names should be italicized when in print or underlined when written by hand
D. Only the species name is used in scientific writing
CORRECT ANSWER A, B, and C — Genus + species; genus capitalized, species lowercase; italicized or underlined
RATIONALE Binomial nomenclature uses two names: the genus (capitalized) and the species (lowercase). Both are italicized in print or underlined when handwritten.
Example: Streptococcus pyogenes. Option D is incorrect—both names are required. This system was developed by Carolus Linnaeus.
8. Which organisms lack membrane-bound cellular organelles and have cell walls made of peptidoglycan?
A. Fungi
B. Protozoa
C. Bacteria
D. Algae
CORRECT ANSWER C — Bacteria
RATIONALE Bacteria are prokaryotes—they lack membrane-bound organelles (no nucleus, mitochondria, etc.) and have cell walls composed of peptidoglycan (though some
bacteria lack cell walls entirely). Fungi (A) are eukaryotes with chitin cell walls. Protozoa (B) are eukaryotes without cell walls.
9. E. coli is classified as a:
A. Protozoan
B. Bacterium (prokaryote)
C. Virus
D. Fungus
CORRECT ANSWER B — Bacterium (prokaryote)
RATIONALE Escherichia coli is a prokaryotic bacterium—a single-celled organism with peptidoglycan cell walls that reproduces asexually. Vorticella (A) is a protozoan. Herpes
simplex (C) is a virus. Fungi (D) include yeasts and molds and are eukaryotic.
10. Archaea differ from bacteria in that archaea:
A. Are eukaryotic organisms
B. Have cell walls that lack peptidoglycan and are composed of other polymers
C. Are acellular infectious agents
D. Are always pathogenic to humans
CORRECT ANSWER B — Have cell walls that lack peptidoglycan and are composed of other polymers
RATIONALE Archaea are prokaryotes like bacteria, but their cell walls lack peptidoglycan—instead composed of pseudopeptidoglycan or protein. They are not eukaryotic (A),
are cellular not acellular (C), and none are known to cause human disease (D). They reproduce asexually and are often extremophiles.
11. Fungi are eukaryotic organisms that obtain food from other organisms and have cell walls made of:
A. Peptidoglycan
B. Cellulose
C. Chitin
D. Lipopolysaccharide
CORRECT ANSWER C — Chitin
RATIONALE Fungi (yeasts and molds) are eukaryotic heterotrophs with cell walls composed of chitin—the same polymer found in arthropod exoskeletons. Peptidoglycan (A) is
unique to bacteria. Cellulose (B) is found in plant and algal cell walls. Lipopolysaccharide (D) is in Gram-negative bacterial outer membranes.
