True or False: A virus is considered a microorganism.
False. Viruses are not living and as such are not considered microorganisms. Viruses can,
however, be classified as microbes, a more general term that includes microorganisms and
viruses.
2. What is the smallest biological unit of life?
A cell.
3. At a generalized level, all cells are comprised of what?
Macromolecules*
*A student may also answer: Proteins, Lipids, Nucleic acids and Polysaccharides but they
must answer with all four to be fully correct.
How many different types of amino acids are available from which to make proteins?
20
2. Define an essential amino acid.
An essential amino acid cannot be produced by the human body and as such must be take infrom the
environment through alternative sources (i.e) food.
Exam Page 3
1. What are the two major types of nucleic acids and their roles?
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid): Contains the genetic material as well as heredity characteristics
found in living organisms. RNA (ribonucleic acid): its role is for decoding the sequence of
heredity information found in DNA
Answer Key
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 theinheritable
characteristics of living organisms. RNA is responsible for deciphering the hereditary information in DNA
and using it to synthesize proteins.
Exam Page 4
Answer Key
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’
Exam Page 5
There are 2 bonds formed between A and U, and 3 bonds between G and C.
Answer Key
1. The plasma membrane (select all that are true):
A. Only restricts movement of materials into the cell
B. Is often a bilayer comprised of lipids
C. Cannot prevent essential nutrients from escaping
D. Contains hydrophobic tails pointing inward
B and D
2. Carbon, Hydrogen and Oxygen atoms come together to form what primary macromolecule? Givean
example.
Exam Page 6
Polysaccharides. Glucose, sucrose and cellulose are all acceptable answers.
Answer Key
1. True of False: Eukaryotic cells do not have a nucleus