Portage Learning / BIOD 171 Microbio exam answers
1. A virus is classified as a microbe.True. Although viruses are not living and as such are not
considered microorganisms, they can, however, be classified as microbes, a more general
term that includes microorganisms and viruses.
2. True or False: The smallest biological unit of life is the molecule.False. The smallest biological
unit of life is the cell.
3. What are the 4 main types of macromolecules found in cells?Proteins, Lipids, Nucleic acids
and Polysaccharide
1. Proteins are formed from various combinations of of which there are known
forms.Amino acids, 20
2. How many amino acids are classified as being essential amino acids?9
1. What are the two major types of nucleic acids and their roles?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. Complete the following RNA strand and indicate how many bonds are formed for each
complementary pair:
3’ GGUCAUCG 5’
5’ CC AGC 3’
3’ GGUCAUCG 5’
5’ CCAGUAGC 3’
There are 2 bonds formed between A and U, and 3 bonds between G and C.
1. The plasma membrane (select all that are true):BD
A. Only restricts movement of materials into the cell
,Portage Learning / BIOD 171 Microbio exam answers
B. Is often a bilayer comprised of lipids
C. Cannot prevent essential nutrients from escaping
D. Contains hydrophobic tails pointing inward
2. Carbon, Hydrogen and Oxygen atoms come together to form what primary macromolecule? Give
an example.Polysaccharides. Glucose, sucrose and cellulose are all acceptable answers.
True of False: The genetic material within a prokaryotic cell is contained within a membrane-
enclosed region.False. Only eukaryotic cells contain its genetic material within a nucleus
True or False: Prokaryotic cells can be subdivided into Bacteria and Archaea.True
Describe the 4 basic bacterial morphologies.Coccus (round/spherical), bacillus (rod), vibrio
(curved rod) or spirillum (spiral/corkscrew).
True or False: Archaea is noted for its ability to survive under harsh conditions.True. Archaea can
often be found in harsh conditions such as high salt levels, high acid conditions, high
temperatures and even oxygen-poor conditions.
1. Animalia, Plantae, Fungi and Protista are all classification under what type of organism?B
A. Bacteria
B. Eukarya
C. Archaea
D. Virus
2. All multicellular microorganisms classified as Animalia are autotropic.False—they are
heterotropic.
3. Microorganisms classified as obtain most of their energy by converting light energy
into chemical energy.Plantae
1. A defining characteristic of fungi is the presence of chitin in the cell walls. Which of following also
, Portage Learning / BIOD 171 Microbio exam answers
contain chitin? Select all that apply.ACD
A. Mushrooms
B. Bacteria
C. Yeast
D. Molds
2. True or False: A defining characteristic of Protista is the inability of colonies to form tissue
layers.True.
1. Cell walls are found in which of the following (select all that apply):A, B, C, E
A. Plants
B. Fungi
C. Bacteria
D. Mammalian cells
E. Algae
2. The function of the ribosome is (select all that apply):B
A. Lipid synthesis
B. Protein synthesis
C. To produce energy (ATP)
D. Protein modification and distribution
E. Waste disposal via hydrolytic enzymes
1. True or False: Metabolism is a controlled set of biochemical reactions that occur in living
organisms in order to maintain life.True.
1. A virus is classified as a microbe.True. Although viruses are not living and as such are not
considered microorganisms, they can, however, be classified as microbes, a more general
term that includes microorganisms and viruses.
2. True or False: The smallest biological unit of life is the molecule.False. The smallest biological
unit of life is the cell.
3. What are the 4 main types of macromolecules found in cells?Proteins, Lipids, Nucleic acids
and Polysaccharide
1. Proteins are formed from various combinations of of which there are known
forms.Amino acids, 20
2. How many amino acids are classified as being essential amino acids?9
1. What are the two major types of nucleic acids and their roles?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. Complete the following RNA strand and indicate how many bonds are formed for each
complementary pair:
3’ GGUCAUCG 5’
5’ CC AGC 3’
3’ GGUCAUCG 5’
5’ CCAGUAGC 3’
There are 2 bonds formed between A and U, and 3 bonds between G and C.
1. The plasma membrane (select all that are true):BD
A. Only restricts movement of materials into the cell
,Portage Learning / BIOD 171 Microbio exam answers
B. Is often a bilayer comprised of lipids
C. Cannot prevent essential nutrients from escaping
D. Contains hydrophobic tails pointing inward
2. Carbon, Hydrogen and Oxygen atoms come together to form what primary macromolecule? Give
an example.Polysaccharides. Glucose, sucrose and cellulose are all acceptable answers.
True of False: The genetic material within a prokaryotic cell is contained within a membrane-
enclosed region.False. Only eukaryotic cells contain its genetic material within a nucleus
True or False: Prokaryotic cells can be subdivided into Bacteria and Archaea.True
Describe the 4 basic bacterial morphologies.Coccus (round/spherical), bacillus (rod), vibrio
(curved rod) or spirillum (spiral/corkscrew).
True or False: Archaea is noted for its ability to survive under harsh conditions.True. Archaea can
often be found in harsh conditions such as high salt levels, high acid conditions, high
temperatures and even oxygen-poor conditions.
1. Animalia, Plantae, Fungi and Protista are all classification under what type of organism?B
A. Bacteria
B. Eukarya
C. Archaea
D. Virus
2. All multicellular microorganisms classified as Animalia are autotropic.False—they are
heterotropic.
3. Microorganisms classified as obtain most of their energy by converting light energy
into chemical energy.Plantae
1. A defining characteristic of fungi is the presence of chitin in the cell walls. Which of following also
, Portage Learning / BIOD 171 Microbio exam answers
contain chitin? Select all that apply.ACD
A. Mushrooms
B. Bacteria
C. Yeast
D. Molds
2. True or False: A defining characteristic of Protista is the inability of colonies to form tissue
layers.True.
1. Cell walls are found in which of the following (select all that apply):A, B, C, E
A. Plants
B. Fungi
C. Bacteria
D. Mammalian cells
E. Algae
2. The function of the ribosome is (select all that apply):B
A. Lipid synthesis
B. Protein synthesis
C. To produce energy (ATP)
D. Protein modification and distribution
E. Waste disposal via hydrolytic enzymes
1. True or False: Metabolism is a controlled set of biochemical reactions that occur in living
organisms in order to maintain life.True.
