BIOD 171, Portage Learning
Microbiology is the study of what? Correct answer- My answer: Microbiology is the
study of microorganisms and their biological processes at what is called the "micro" or
"microscopic" level.
Answer Key: Microbiology is the study of microbes (microorganisms and viruses) and
their biological processes.
What is the smallest biological unit of life? Correct answer- the cell
What is a macromolecule? Correct answer- My answer: Macromolecules are large and
complicated molecules that are made up of smaller molecules. Examples of
macromolecules are polysaccharides, lipids, nucleic acids, and proteins.
More info:
- Proteins are made up of amino acids (of which there are 20 different types).
- Nucleic Acids can be either DNA or RNA. Nucleic acids are made up of nucleotides.
For DNA, the nucleotides are adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C) and thymine (T).
For RNA, the nucleotides are adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C) and uracil (U).
- Lipids are made up of hydrocarbons.
- Polysaccharides are made up of monosaccharides.
Answer Key: A macromolecule is classified as a complex molecule that is composed
from smaller subunits.
What are the four main types of macromolecules? Correct answer- My answer:
polysaccharides, lipids, nucleic acids, proteins
Answer Key: Proteins, nucleic acids, lipids and polysaccharides
What various functions do proteins have in a cell? Correct answer- My Answer:
Proteins have several functions in the cell;
1. To assist materials in moving in and out of the cell
2. To act as a catalyst enzyme which speeds up a biochemical process
3. To provide structure in the cell
4. To enable movement (e.g. filaments)
Answer Key: Proteins may facilitate the movement of materials in or out of a cell. Some
can act as enzymes that catalyze, or speed up, biochemical processes. Others play a
structural role while other proteins, such as filaments, enable movement.