Portage Learning BIO 171 Final Exam
(2025/2026 Latest Update) | Complete Exam
Q&A PDF | Accurate & Verified Study Guide
Microbiology is the study of what? - correct answerMicrobiology is the study of microbes
(microorganisms and viruses) and their biological processes.
What is the smallest biological unit of life - correct answercell
What is a macromolecule? - correct answerA macromolecule is classified as a complex
molecule that is composed from smaller subunits.
What are the four main types of macromolecules? - correct answerProteins, nucleic
acids, lipids and carbohydrates
What various functions do proteins have in a cell - correct 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? - correct 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? - correct 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? - correct 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? - correct
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? - correct 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? - correct 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? - correct answerEukaryotic
microorganisms are classified as either belonging to Animalia, Plantae, Fungi or
Protista.
Can viruses be classified as either prokaryotic or eukaryotic? - correct 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? - correct 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. - correct 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).
What is cellular metabolism? - correct answerMetabolism is a controlled set of
biochemical reactions that occur in living organisms in order to maintain life.
What is the primary function of enzymes, and how are they regulated? - correct
answerEnzymes speed up chemical reactions. Most notably, the enzyme is not
consumed during the reaction and can be used repeatedly by the cell. Enzymes can
also be regulated by a cofactor such that in the absence of the proper cofactor,
enzymes are inactive while in its presence enzymes are active.
What is the difference between catabolism and anabolism? - correct answerCatabolism
is the process of breaking down larger molecules into useful energy sources whereas
anabolism is the building up or biosynthesis of macromolecules from smaller molecular
units into larger complexes, most often associated with cellular growth and repair.
, ATP has the energy to ,BLANK while ADP has the capacity to BLANK energy. - correct
answerdonate; accept
Chemotrophs can be subdivided into what two additional subgroups? - correct
answerChemotrophs, which acquire energy from preformed chemicals found in the
environment, can be divided into either organotrophs (removing electrons from organic
molecules such as glucose) or lithotrophs, which remove electrons from inorganic
molecules.
Chemotrophs utilize which form of phosphorylation? - correct answerChemotrophs use
oxidative phosphorylation (as opposed to photo or substrate-level phosphorylation).
Oxidative phosphorylation utilizes the energy released by the chemical oxidation of
nutrients to reform ATP.
What are the three distinct stages in the catabolism of glucose? - correct
answerGlycolysis is the first step of this process and yields 2 molecules of ATP. Next,
by either fermentation (or respiration) 2 additional molecules of ATP can be produced.
Last, the electron transport chain (ETC) produces 34 ATP via an oxidative
phosphorylation event at the plasma membrane.
What are the reactants of glycolysis? - correct answerReactants are defined as any
molecules present and involved at the beginning of a specific chemical reaction (ie)
glycolysis. In terms of writing out a chemical reaction, the reactants are everything
located to the left of the arrow. The reactants of glycolysis are glucose, the co-enzyme
NAD+ and ATP.
What are the two main strategies for replenishing cellular concentrations of NAD+, and
when these strategies be utilized? - correct answerFermentation and Respiration are
the two strategies used by the cell to convert NADH (end product of glycolysis) back to
NAD+. Fermentation occurs in the absence of oxygen (anaerobic conditions) while
respiration occurs under aerobic (presence of oxygen) conditions. Notably, respiration is
more efficient that fermentation.
How are the TCA and ETC related? - correct answerThe end products of the Kreb's
(TCA) cycle are used to fuel the electron transport chain. In other words, as the Kreb's
cycle (TCA) produces an abundance of reduced electron carriers (NADH and FADH2),
it fuels the ETC. As the electrons are transferred from NADH/FADH2 to terminal
electron acceptors a proton motor force is generated, ATP synthase is activated and up
to 34 molecules of ATP can be produced.
In the absence of sugars, are entirely different metabolic pathways used to process
alternative sugar sources (fructose or lactose)? - correct answerNo. Additional
enzymatic steps are simply required at the beginning of catabolism to convert complex
sugars into the usable forms of either glucose or a glucose intermediate (glucose-6-
phosphate).
(2025/2026 Latest Update) | Complete Exam
Q&A PDF | Accurate & Verified Study Guide
Microbiology is the study of what? - correct answerMicrobiology is the study of microbes
(microorganisms and viruses) and their biological processes.
What is the smallest biological unit of life - correct answercell
What is a macromolecule? - correct answerA macromolecule is classified as a complex
molecule that is composed from smaller subunits.
What are the four main types of macromolecules? - correct answerProteins, nucleic
acids, lipids and carbohydrates
What various functions do proteins have in a cell - correct 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? - correct 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? - correct 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? - correct 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? - correct
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? - correct 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? - correct 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? - correct answerEukaryotic
microorganisms are classified as either belonging to Animalia, Plantae, Fungi or
Protista.
Can viruses be classified as either prokaryotic or eukaryotic? - correct 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? - correct 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. - correct 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).
What is cellular metabolism? - correct answerMetabolism is a controlled set of
biochemical reactions that occur in living organisms in order to maintain life.
What is the primary function of enzymes, and how are they regulated? - correct
answerEnzymes speed up chemical reactions. Most notably, the enzyme is not
consumed during the reaction and can be used repeatedly by the cell. Enzymes can
also be regulated by a cofactor such that in the absence of the proper cofactor,
enzymes are inactive while in its presence enzymes are active.
What is the difference between catabolism and anabolism? - correct answerCatabolism
is the process of breaking down larger molecules into useful energy sources whereas
anabolism is the building up or biosynthesis of macromolecules from smaller molecular
units into larger complexes, most often associated with cellular growth and repair.
, ATP has the energy to ,BLANK while ADP has the capacity to BLANK energy. - correct
answerdonate; accept
Chemotrophs can be subdivided into what two additional subgroups? - correct
answerChemotrophs, which acquire energy from preformed chemicals found in the
environment, can be divided into either organotrophs (removing electrons from organic
molecules such as glucose) or lithotrophs, which remove electrons from inorganic
molecules.
Chemotrophs utilize which form of phosphorylation? - correct answerChemotrophs use
oxidative phosphorylation (as opposed to photo or substrate-level phosphorylation).
Oxidative phosphorylation utilizes the energy released by the chemical oxidation of
nutrients to reform ATP.
What are the three distinct stages in the catabolism of glucose? - correct
answerGlycolysis is the first step of this process and yields 2 molecules of ATP. Next,
by either fermentation (or respiration) 2 additional molecules of ATP can be produced.
Last, the electron transport chain (ETC) produces 34 ATP via an oxidative
phosphorylation event at the plasma membrane.
What are the reactants of glycolysis? - correct answerReactants are defined as any
molecules present and involved at the beginning of a specific chemical reaction (ie)
glycolysis. In terms of writing out a chemical reaction, the reactants are everything
located to the left of the arrow. The reactants of glycolysis are glucose, the co-enzyme
NAD+ and ATP.
What are the two main strategies for replenishing cellular concentrations of NAD+, and
when these strategies be utilized? - correct answerFermentation and Respiration are
the two strategies used by the cell to convert NADH (end product of glycolysis) back to
NAD+. Fermentation occurs in the absence of oxygen (anaerobic conditions) while
respiration occurs under aerobic (presence of oxygen) conditions. Notably, respiration is
more efficient that fermentation.
How are the TCA and ETC related? - correct answerThe end products of the Kreb's
(TCA) cycle are used to fuel the electron transport chain. In other words, as the Kreb's
cycle (TCA) produces an abundance of reduced electron carriers (NADH and FADH2),
it fuels the ETC. As the electrons are transferred from NADH/FADH2 to terminal
electron acceptors a proton motor force is generated, ATP synthase is activated and up
to 34 molecules of ATP can be produced.
In the absence of sugars, are entirely different metabolic pathways used to process
alternative sugar sources (fructose or lactose)? - correct answerNo. Additional
enzymatic steps are simply required at the beginning of catabolism to convert complex
sugars into the usable forms of either glucose or a glucose intermediate (glucose-6-
phosphate).
