BIOD 171 FINAL EXAM STUDY
Microbiology is the study of what? - ANSWERMicrobiology is the study of microbes (microorganisms
and viruses) and their biological processes.
What is the smallest biological unit of life - ANSWERcell
What is a macromolecule? - ANSWERA macromolecule is classified as a complex molecule that is
composed from smaller subunits.
What are the four main types of macromolecules? - ANSWERProteins, nucleic acids, lipids and
carbohydrates
What various functions do proteins have in a cell - ANSWERProteins 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.
What are the two major types of nucleic acids and their roles? - ANSWERThere 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.
What is the plasma membrane, and what is it made up of? - ANSWERThe plasma membrane serves the
cell as a surrounding barrier that separates the inside of the cell from the outside surrounding
environment. The plasma membrane also restricts the movement of materials (water, nutrients, etc) either
in or out of the cell, thus allowing a cells to absorb and keep what is needed (influx) while also preventing
the escape (out flux) of essential nutrients. The plasma membrane is composed of lipids (hydrophobic
hydrocarbons).
, What are the three main components of carbohydrates? - ANSWERCarbohydrates are composed of
carbon, hydrogen and oxygen atoms. Examples would include, C6H12O6 (glucose) C12H22O11
(sucrose) and C6H10O5 (cellulose).
What is the primary difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells? - ANSWEREukaryotic cells
contain a nucleus, a membrane enclosed region within the cell that contains the genetic material.
Prokaryotic cells do not have a nucleus and can be further classified as either Bacteria or Archaea.
What are the main morphologies of bacteria? - ANSWERBacteria can be described as coccus
(round/spherical), bacillus (rod), vibrio (curved rod) or spirillum (spiral/corkscrew).
Which group (classification) of microbes is noted for its ability to survive under harsh conditions? -
ANSWERArchaea. They are able to survive in extremely harsh environmental conditions such as high
salt levels, acid conditions, high temperatures and oxygen-poor conditions.
What are the four main classifications of Eukarya? - ANSWEREukaryotic microorganisms are classified
as either belonging to Animalia, Plantae, Fungi or Protista.
Can viruses be classified as either prokaryotic or eukaryotic? - ANSWERNo. Viruses are considered
neither prokaryotic nor eukaryotic. Viruses are not considered living and do not replicate on their own,
meaning they must replicate within a host.
The lipid bilayer of the plasma membrane is composed of what? - ANSWERThe cell membrane is a
bilayer composed primarily of amphipathic phospholipids, meaning they contain a polar hydrophilic
(water loving) head group and a non-polar hydrophobic (water fearing) tail region. The lipid bilayer is
situated in such a way where the non-polar tail groups face inward thus orienting the polar head groups to
interact with water both outside and inside of the cell.
What are the primary cellular organelles described in this module? Be sure to know the roles of each. -
ANSWERRibosomes (protein synthesis), ER (site of protein synthesis), Golgi (protein modification and
distribution), lysosomes (waste disposal), mitochondria (ATP generation) and chloroplasts (plants only;
site of photosynthesis).
Microbiology is the study of what? - ANSWERMicrobiology is the study of microbes (microorganisms
and viruses) and their biological processes.
What is the smallest biological unit of life - ANSWERcell
What is a macromolecule? - ANSWERA macromolecule is classified as a complex molecule that is
composed from smaller subunits.
What are the four main types of macromolecules? - ANSWERProteins, nucleic acids, lipids and
carbohydrates
What various functions do proteins have in a cell - ANSWERProteins 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.
What are the two major types of nucleic acids and their roles? - ANSWERThere 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.
What is the plasma membrane, and what is it made up of? - ANSWERThe plasma membrane serves the
cell as a surrounding barrier that separates the inside of the cell from the outside surrounding
environment. The plasma membrane also restricts the movement of materials (water, nutrients, etc) either
in or out of the cell, thus allowing a cells to absorb and keep what is needed (influx) while also preventing
the escape (out flux) of essential nutrients. The plasma membrane is composed of lipids (hydrophobic
hydrocarbons).
, What are the three main components of carbohydrates? - ANSWERCarbohydrates are composed of
carbon, hydrogen and oxygen atoms. Examples would include, C6H12O6 (glucose) C12H22O11
(sucrose) and C6H10O5 (cellulose).
What is the primary difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells? - ANSWEREukaryotic cells
contain a nucleus, a membrane enclosed region within the cell that contains the genetic material.
Prokaryotic cells do not have a nucleus and can be further classified as either Bacteria or Archaea.
What are the main morphologies of bacteria? - ANSWERBacteria can be described as coccus
(round/spherical), bacillus (rod), vibrio (curved rod) or spirillum (spiral/corkscrew).
Which group (classification) of microbes is noted for its ability to survive under harsh conditions? -
ANSWERArchaea. They are able to survive in extremely harsh environmental conditions such as high
salt levels, acid conditions, high temperatures and oxygen-poor conditions.
What are the four main classifications of Eukarya? - ANSWEREukaryotic microorganisms are classified
as either belonging to Animalia, Plantae, Fungi or Protista.
Can viruses be classified as either prokaryotic or eukaryotic? - ANSWERNo. Viruses are considered
neither prokaryotic nor eukaryotic. Viruses are not considered living and do not replicate on their own,
meaning they must replicate within a host.
The lipid bilayer of the plasma membrane is composed of what? - ANSWERThe cell membrane is a
bilayer composed primarily of amphipathic phospholipids, meaning they contain a polar hydrophilic
(water loving) head group and a non-polar hydrophobic (water fearing) tail region. The lipid bilayer is
situated in such a way where the non-polar tail groups face inward thus orienting the polar head groups to
interact with water both outside and inside of the cell.
What are the primary cellular organelles described in this module? Be sure to know the roles of each. -
ANSWERRibosomes (protein synthesis), ER (site of protein synthesis), Golgi (protein modification and
distribution), lysosomes (waste disposal), mitochondria (ATP generation) and chloroplasts (plants only;
site of photosynthesis).
