MICROBIOLOGY FINAL /PORTAGE
EXAM QUESTIONS WITH 100%
CORRECT ANSWERS L LATEST
VERSION 2025/2026.
Microbiology is the study of what - ANS microorganisms/viruses and there biological
processes
What is the smallest biological unit of life? - ANS cell
What is a macromolecule? - ANS a molecule containing a very large number of atoms, such
as a protein, nucleic acid, or synthetic polymer.
What are the 4 main types of macromolecules - ANS proteins, carbohydrates, lipids,
polysachrides
What various functions do proteins have in a cell - ANS 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.
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
,What are the two major types of nucleic acids and their roles? - ANS 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.
What is the plasma membrane and what is it made up of? - ANS The 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 polysaccharides? - ANS Polysaccharides 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? - ANS Eukaryotic
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? - ANS Bacteria can be described as coccus
(round/spherical),
bacillus (rod),
vibrio (curved rod)
spirillum (spiral/corkscrew).
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
,Which group (classification) of bacteria is noted for its ability to survive under harsh conditions?
- ANS Archaea. 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 4 main classifications of Eukarya - ANS Eukaryotic microorganisms are classified
as either belonging to Animalia, Plantae, Fungi or Protista.
Can viruses be classified as either prokaryotic or eukaryotic? - ANS No. 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? - ANS 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.
What are the primary cellular organelles described in this module? Be sure to know the roles of
each. - ANS Ribosomes (protein synthesis)
ER (site of protein synthesis)
Golgi (protein modification and distribution) lysosomes (waste disposal),
mitochondria (ATP generation)
chloroplasts (plants only; site of photosynthesis).
True or False: Metabolism is a controlled set of biochemical reactions that occur in living
organisms in order to maintain life. - ANS True
3 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, True or False: Enzymes are polysaccharides that catalyze chemical reactions. - ANS False.
Enzymes are proteins that catalyze chemical reactions
What are usually metal ions known to assists enzyme during the catalysis reaction? -
ANS Cofactors are usually metal ions and assist enzyme during the catalysis reaction.
Define catabolism - ANS the breakdown of complex molecules in living organisms to form
simpler ones, together with the release of energy; destructive metabolism.
Upon cellular injury, which metabolic process is involved during the growth and repair phases of
the cell? - ANS The anabolic process would be active as it (by definition) is involved in the
building up of small complexes into larger complexes.
Describe the energy transfer process relative to both ATP and ADP. - ANS ATP has the energy
(phosphate group) to donate while ADP can accept energy in the form of a phosphate group.
Thus, ATP can be reduced (ATP →ADP + Pi) while ADP can be built into ATP (ADP + Pi →ATP).
An organism that derives its energy (generates ATP) from photons of light is called a _________
- ANS Phototrophic microorganism.
An organism that derives its energy by removing electrons from elemental sulfur would be
classified as a __________? - ANS Lithotroph
A reactive intermediate would be present in which phosphorylation process? - ANS The
chemical compound losing the phosphate group is referred to as the phosphorylated reactive
intermediate.
Identify the products of the following chemical equation:
4 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
EXAM QUESTIONS WITH 100%
CORRECT ANSWERS L LATEST
VERSION 2025/2026.
Microbiology is the study of what - ANS microorganisms/viruses and there biological
processes
What is the smallest biological unit of life? - ANS cell
What is a macromolecule? - ANS a molecule containing a very large number of atoms, such
as a protein, nucleic acid, or synthetic polymer.
What are the 4 main types of macromolecules - ANS proteins, carbohydrates, lipids,
polysachrides
What various functions do proteins have in a cell - ANS 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.
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
,What are the two major types of nucleic acids and their roles? - ANS 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.
What is the plasma membrane and what is it made up of? - ANS The 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 polysaccharides? - ANS Polysaccharides 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? - ANS Eukaryotic
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? - ANS Bacteria can be described as coccus
(round/spherical),
bacillus (rod),
vibrio (curved rod)
spirillum (spiral/corkscrew).
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
,Which group (classification) of bacteria is noted for its ability to survive under harsh conditions?
- ANS Archaea. 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 4 main classifications of Eukarya - ANS Eukaryotic microorganisms are classified
as either belonging to Animalia, Plantae, Fungi or Protista.
Can viruses be classified as either prokaryotic or eukaryotic? - ANS No. 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? - ANS 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.
What are the primary cellular organelles described in this module? Be sure to know the roles of
each. - ANS Ribosomes (protein synthesis)
ER (site of protein synthesis)
Golgi (protein modification and distribution) lysosomes (waste disposal),
mitochondria (ATP generation)
chloroplasts (plants only; site of photosynthesis).
True or False: Metabolism is a controlled set of biochemical reactions that occur in living
organisms in order to maintain life. - ANS True
3 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, True or False: Enzymes are polysaccharides that catalyze chemical reactions. - ANS False.
Enzymes are proteins that catalyze chemical reactions
What are usually metal ions known to assists enzyme during the catalysis reaction? -
ANS Cofactors are usually metal ions and assist enzyme during the catalysis reaction.
Define catabolism - ANS the breakdown of complex molecules in living organisms to form
simpler ones, together with the release of energy; destructive metabolism.
Upon cellular injury, which metabolic process is involved during the growth and repair phases of
the cell? - ANS The anabolic process would be active as it (by definition) is involved in the
building up of small complexes into larger complexes.
Describe the energy transfer process relative to both ATP and ADP. - ANS ATP has the energy
(phosphate group) to donate while ADP can accept energy in the form of a phosphate group.
Thus, ATP can be reduced (ATP →ADP + Pi) while ADP can be built into ATP (ADP + Pi →ATP).
An organism that derives its energy (generates ATP) from photons of light is called a _________
- ANS Phototrophic microorganism.
An organism that derives its energy by removing electrons from elemental sulfur would be
classified as a __________? - ANS Lithotroph
A reactive intermediate would be present in which phosphorylation process? - ANS The
chemical compound losing the phosphate group is referred to as the phosphorylated reactive
intermediate.
Identify the products of the following chemical equation:
4 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
