BIOL 2116 Midterm Review Practice Test: Comprehensive
Questions, Correct Detailed Answers | Exam Prep Study
Guide | Latest 2026–2027 Update
1. Most lipids consist of a glycerol molecule and
amino acids
glucose
nucleotide fatty
acid chains
2. Aquifex and Thermatoga found in Octopus Springs, Yellowstone National Park, are
members of which group?
Deep-branching thermophilic bacteria
Spirochetes
Cyanobacteria
Crenarchaeota
Firmicutes
3. Proteins may function as:
, catalysts (speed up chemical reactions) all of
these transporters (carriers of substances)
hormones (chemical messengers) structural
components of the cell antibodies (mark
pathogens for destruction)
4. Describe the adaptations that allow crenarchaeotes to survive in extreme
environments.
Crenarchaeotes do not have any special adaptations for extreme
environments.
Crenarchaeotes can only survive in moderate temperatures and require
neutral pH.
Crenarchaeotes have adaptations that enable them to thrive in high
temperatures and low pH, such as specialized proteins and membranes.
Crenarchaeotes are adapted to low temperatures and high salinity
environments.
5. Describe how a non-polar covalent bond affects the overall charge of a molecule.
It creates a positive charge on one end.
It causes the molecule to be ionic.
It creates a negative charge on one end.
It results in both ends being neutral.
6. What structural feature is characteristic of Gram-positive bacteria?
, Thin peptidoglycan layer
Lipopolysaccharides
Outer membrane
Thick peptidoglycan layer
7. Describe the significance of tree diagrams in understanding evolutionary
relationships among species.
Tree diagrams illustrate how closely related species share a common ancestor.
Tree diagrams show the geographical distribution of species.
Tree diagrams depict the physical characteristics of species.
Tree diagrams represent the age of different species.
8. Describe how glycocalyx contributes to bacterial virulence.
Glycocalyx aids in adherence and protection, which increases bacterial
virulence.
Glycocalyx serves as a nutrient reservoir for bacterial cells.
Glycocalyx helps in the synthesis of proteins necessary for cell division.
Glycocalyx is involved in the replication of bacterial DNA.
9. What is the primary structural component of the cell membrane in both eukaryotic
and prokaryotic cells?
, Phospholipid bilayer
Peptidoglycan
Cholesterol
Cellulose
10. If a cell is unable to perform exocytosis, what impact might this have on its function?
The cell would increase its energy production.
The cell would absorb nutrients more efficiently.
The cell would struggle to release important substances.
The cell would replicate DNA more rapidly.
11. If a new antibiotic targets the peptidoglycan layer, which type of bacteria would be
more susceptible to its effects, and why?
Neither type of bacteria would be affected.
Gram-negative bacteria, because they have an outer membrane.
Gram-positive bacteria, because they have a thicker peptidoglycan layer.
Both types of bacteria would be equally affected.
12. Who is recognized for developing the aseptic technique in laboratory practices?
Joseph Lister
Robert Koch
Louis Pasteur
Edward Jenner
Questions, Correct Detailed Answers | Exam Prep Study
Guide | Latest 2026–2027 Update
1. Most lipids consist of a glycerol molecule and
amino acids
glucose
nucleotide fatty
acid chains
2. Aquifex and Thermatoga found in Octopus Springs, Yellowstone National Park, are
members of which group?
Deep-branching thermophilic bacteria
Spirochetes
Cyanobacteria
Crenarchaeota
Firmicutes
3. Proteins may function as:
, catalysts (speed up chemical reactions) all of
these transporters (carriers of substances)
hormones (chemical messengers) structural
components of the cell antibodies (mark
pathogens for destruction)
4. Describe the adaptations that allow crenarchaeotes to survive in extreme
environments.
Crenarchaeotes do not have any special adaptations for extreme
environments.
Crenarchaeotes can only survive in moderate temperatures and require
neutral pH.
Crenarchaeotes have adaptations that enable them to thrive in high
temperatures and low pH, such as specialized proteins and membranes.
Crenarchaeotes are adapted to low temperatures and high salinity
environments.
5. Describe how a non-polar covalent bond affects the overall charge of a molecule.
It creates a positive charge on one end.
It causes the molecule to be ionic.
It creates a negative charge on one end.
It results in both ends being neutral.
6. What structural feature is characteristic of Gram-positive bacteria?
, Thin peptidoglycan layer
Lipopolysaccharides
Outer membrane
Thick peptidoglycan layer
7. Describe the significance of tree diagrams in understanding evolutionary
relationships among species.
Tree diagrams illustrate how closely related species share a common ancestor.
Tree diagrams show the geographical distribution of species.
Tree diagrams depict the physical characteristics of species.
Tree diagrams represent the age of different species.
8. Describe how glycocalyx contributes to bacterial virulence.
Glycocalyx aids in adherence and protection, which increases bacterial
virulence.
Glycocalyx serves as a nutrient reservoir for bacterial cells.
Glycocalyx helps in the synthesis of proteins necessary for cell division.
Glycocalyx is involved in the replication of bacterial DNA.
9. What is the primary structural component of the cell membrane in both eukaryotic
and prokaryotic cells?
, Phospholipid bilayer
Peptidoglycan
Cholesterol
Cellulose
10. If a cell is unable to perform exocytosis, what impact might this have on its function?
The cell would increase its energy production.
The cell would absorb nutrients more efficiently.
The cell would struggle to release important substances.
The cell would replicate DNA more rapidly.
11. If a new antibiotic targets the peptidoglycan layer, which type of bacteria would be
more susceptible to its effects, and why?
Neither type of bacteria would be affected.
Gram-negative bacteria, because they have an outer membrane.
Gram-positive bacteria, because they have a thicker peptidoglycan layer.
Both types of bacteria would be equally affected.
12. Who is recognized for developing the aseptic technique in laboratory practices?
Joseph Lister
Robert Koch
Louis Pasteur
Edward Jenner
