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, BIOL 210 — Microbiology
Comprehensive Examination · Modules 1–7
100 Multiple-Choice Questions
Name: Date:
Student ID: Section:
Instructions: Choose the BEST answer for each question. Each question is worth 1 point (100 points total). Circle or
clearly mark your answer. Time allowed: 2 hours. No open-book materials permitted. Calculators are not required.
MODULE 1 — Cell Structure (Questions 1–14)
1. Which of the following is a characteristic unique to prokaryotic cells?
A. Membrane-bound nucleus
B. 70S ribosomes
C. Mitochondria
D. Endoplasmic reticulum
2. The cell wall of most bacteria is primarily composed of:
A. Cellulose
B. Chitin
C. Peptidoglycan
D. Phospholipids
3. Which structure allows bacteria to attach to host tissues and is important in biofilm formation?
A. Flagella
B. Pili (fimbriae)
C. Endospores
D. Capsules
4. The primary function of the bacterial capsule is:
A. Locomotion
B. DNA replication
C. Protection from phagocytosis
D. Protein synthesis
5. Which of the following best describes the structure of the bacterial plasma membrane?
A. Single phospholipid layer with embedded proteins
B. Fluid mosaic of phospholipid bilayer with proteins
C. Rigid cellulose framework
D. Peptidoglycan bilayer
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, 6. Bacterial flagella rotate to produce motility. The protein subunit of a flagellum is called:
A. Tubulin
B. Actin
C. Flagellin
D. Keratin
7. Which structure in bacteria functions similarly to the mitochondria in eukaryotes?
A. Mesosome
B. Ribosome
C. Nucleoid
D. Plasmid
8. The term 'nucleoid' refers to:
A. A membrane-bound nucleus in bacteria
B. The region of cytoplasm containing bacterial DNA
C. A small circular DNA element in bacteria
D. The nuclear pore complex in eukaryotes
9. Endospores are formed by certain bacteria primarily as a response to:
A. Favorable nutrient conditions
B. Exposure to antibiotics
C. Nutrient deprivation and environmental stress
D. High temperature
10. Which component is found in eukaryotic cells but NOT in prokaryotic cells?
A. Ribosomes
B. DNA
C. Mitochondria
D. Cell membrane
11. The outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria contains:
A. Teichoic acid
B. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)
C. Peptidoglycan only
D. Cellulose
12. Which of the following bacteria produces endospores?
A. Escherichia coli
B. Staphylococcus aureus
C. Clostridium botulinum
D. Mycobacterium tuberculosis
13. Plasmids differ from the bacterial chromosome in that plasmids:
A. Are linear
B. Encode essential housekeeping genes
C. Are small, circular, extrachromosomal DNA elements
D. Are found only in eukaryotes
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, BIOL 210 — Microbiology
Comprehensive Examination · Modules 1–7
100 Multiple-Choice Questions
Name: Date:
Student ID: Section:
Instructions: Choose the BEST answer for each question. Each question is worth 1 point (100 points total). Circle or
clearly mark your answer. Time allowed: 2 hours. No open-book materials permitted. Calculators are not required.
MODULE 1 — Cell Structure (Questions 1–14)
1. Which of the following is a characteristic unique to prokaryotic cells?
A. Membrane-bound nucleus
B. 70S ribosomes
C. Mitochondria
D. Endoplasmic reticulum
2. The cell wall of most bacteria is primarily composed of:
A. Cellulose
B. Chitin
C. Peptidoglycan
D. Phospholipids
3. Which structure allows bacteria to attach to host tissues and is important in biofilm formation?
A. Flagella
B. Pili (fimbriae)
C. Endospores
D. Capsules
4. The primary function of the bacterial capsule is:
A. Locomotion
B. DNA replication
C. Protection from phagocytosis
D. Protein synthesis
5. Which of the following best describes the structure of the bacterial plasma membrane?
A. Single phospholipid layer with embedded proteins
B. Fluid mosaic of phospholipid bilayer with proteins
C. Rigid cellulose framework
D. Peptidoglycan bilayer
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, 6. Bacterial flagella rotate to produce motility. The protein subunit of a flagellum is called:
A. Tubulin
B. Actin
C. Flagellin
D. Keratin
7. Which structure in bacteria functions similarly to the mitochondria in eukaryotes?
A. Mesosome
B. Ribosome
C. Nucleoid
D. Plasmid
8. The term 'nucleoid' refers to:
A. A membrane-bound nucleus in bacteria
B. The region of cytoplasm containing bacterial DNA
C. A small circular DNA element in bacteria
D. The nuclear pore complex in eukaryotes
9. Endospores are formed by certain bacteria primarily as a response to:
A. Favorable nutrient conditions
B. Exposure to antibiotics
C. Nutrient deprivation and environmental stress
D. High temperature
10. Which component is found in eukaryotic cells but NOT in prokaryotic cells?
A. Ribosomes
B. DNA
C. Mitochondria
D. Cell membrane
11. The outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria contains:
A. Teichoic acid
B. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)
C. Peptidoglycan only
D. Cellulose
12. Which of the following bacteria produces endospores?
A. Escherichia coli
B. Staphylococcus aureus
C. Clostridium botulinum
D. Mycobacterium tuberculosis
13. Plasmids differ from the bacterial chromosome in that plasmids:
A. Are linear
B. Encode essential housekeeping genes
C. Are small, circular, extrachromosomal DNA elements
D. Are found only in eukaryotes
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