BIOD 171 Exam 2026 Questions and
Answers
The study of microbes (microorganisms and viruses) and their biological processes
- Correct answer-Microbiology
What is the smallest biological unit of life - Correct answer-A cell
Classified as a complex molecule that is composed from smaller subunits - Correct
answer-Macromolecule
What are the four main types of macromolecules? - Correct answer-Proteins,
carbohydrates, lipids and nucleic acids
What various functions do proteins have in a cell? - Correct answer-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.
what re the two major types of nucleic acids and their roles? - Correct answer-DNA
(deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid). Nucleic acids are chemical
molecules that carry genetic information within the cell. DNA contains a vast
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,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.
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 lipids (hydrophobic hydrocarbons) - Correct answer-
Plasma membrane and what it is made up of
carbon, hydrogen and oxygen atoms. Examples would include, C6H10O5
(glucose) C12H22O11 (surcose) and C6H10O5 (cellulose) - Correct answer-The
three main components of carbohydrates
Contain a nucleus, a membrane enclosed region within the cell that contains the
genetic material. - Correct answer-Eukaryotic cells
Cells do not contain a nucleus and can be further classified as either Bacteria and
Archaea - Correct answer-Prokaryotic cells
Coccus (round/spherical), bacillus (rod), Vibrio (curved rod) or spirillum
(spiral/corkscrew) - Correct answer-Main morphologies of bacteria
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, Which group of microbes is noted for its ability to survive under harsh conditions?
- Correct answer-Archaea. They are able to survive in extremely harsh
environmental conditions such as high salt levels, acid conditions, high
temperatures and oxygen-poor conditions
Animal, Plant, Fungi or Protista - Correct answer-The four main classifications of
Eukarya?
Can viruses be classified as either prokaryotic or eukaryotic - Correct answer-No
The lipid bilayer of the plasma membrane is composed of what? - Correct answer-
The 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
Ribosomes (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) - Correct answer-
Primary cellular organelles
An organism or virus too small to be seen without a microscope - Correct answer-
Microbe
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Answers
The study of microbes (microorganisms and viruses) and their biological processes
- Correct answer-Microbiology
What is the smallest biological unit of life - Correct answer-A cell
Classified as a complex molecule that is composed from smaller subunits - Correct
answer-Macromolecule
What are the four main types of macromolecules? - Correct answer-Proteins,
carbohydrates, lipids and nucleic acids
What various functions do proteins have in a cell? - Correct answer-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.
what re the two major types of nucleic acids and their roles? - Correct answer-DNA
(deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid). Nucleic acids are chemical
molecules that carry genetic information within the cell. DNA contains a vast
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
,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.
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 lipids (hydrophobic hydrocarbons) - Correct answer-
Plasma membrane and what it is made up of
carbon, hydrogen and oxygen atoms. Examples would include, C6H10O5
(glucose) C12H22O11 (surcose) and C6H10O5 (cellulose) - Correct answer-The
three main components of carbohydrates
Contain a nucleus, a membrane enclosed region within the cell that contains the
genetic material. - Correct answer-Eukaryotic cells
Cells do not contain a nucleus and can be further classified as either Bacteria and
Archaea - Correct answer-Prokaryotic cells
Coccus (round/spherical), bacillus (rod), Vibrio (curved rod) or spirillum
(spiral/corkscrew) - Correct answer-Main morphologies of bacteria
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, Which group of microbes is noted for its ability to survive under harsh conditions?
- Correct answer-Archaea. They are able to survive in extremely harsh
environmental conditions such as high salt levels, acid conditions, high
temperatures and oxygen-poor conditions
Animal, Plant, Fungi or Protista - Correct answer-The four main classifications of
Eukarya?
Can viruses be classified as either prokaryotic or eukaryotic - Correct answer-No
The lipid bilayer of the plasma membrane is composed of what? - Correct answer-
The 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
Ribosomes (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) - Correct answer-
Primary cellular organelles
An organism or virus too small to be seen without a microscope - Correct answer-
Microbe
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