GENERAL MICROBIOLOGY EXAM 1 QUESTIONS
WITH CORRECT ANSWERS 2026
Microbes - CORRECT ANSWER -organisms and acellular entities too small to be clearly seen by
the unaided eye
simple in their construction and lack highly differentiated cells and distinct tissues
3 domains of microbes - CORRECT ANSWER -Bacteria (true bacteria), Archaea, Eukarya
(eukaryotes)
classified based on comparison of ribosomal RNA; affected by detailed structure of cells,
biochemical/physiological characteristics, genetic sequencing
Domain Bacteria - CORRECT ANSWER -singe-celled, cell wall with peptidoglycan, lack a
membrane-bound nucleus, ubiquitous and some live in extreme enviornment
cyanobacteria produce significant amounts of oxygen
Domain Archaea - CORRECT ANSWER -unique rRNA gene sequences, lack peptidoglycan in cell
walls, unique membrane lipids, unusual metabolic characteristics, many live in extreme
enviornments
Protists - CORRECT ANSWER -Domain Eukarya- generally larger than Bacteria and Archaea
algae, protozoa, slime molds, water molds
Fungi (saprophytic) - CORRECT ANSWER -yeast-unicellular
, mold-multicellular
Viruses - CORRECT ANSWER -smallest of all microbes, requires host cell to replicate, cause range
of diseases (some cancers)
Viroids and Virusoids - CORRECT ANSWER -Infectious agents composed of RNA
Virions - CORRECT ANSWER -infectious proteins
Ribozymes - CORRECT ANSWER -RNA molecules that form peptide bonds, perform cellular work
and replication
Earliest Molecules - CORRECT ANSWER -may have been RNA surrounded by liposomes
RNA - CORRECT ANSWER -Cellular pool of RNA exists in and associated with the ribosome
(rRNA, tRNA, mRNA)
catalytic in protein synthesis
may be precursor to double stranded DNA
can regulate gene expression
ATP (adenosine 5' triphosphate) - CORRECT ANSWER -energy currency and is a ribonucleotide
Earliest Metabolism - CORRECT ANSWER -energy sources under harsh conditions (inorganics)
photosynthesis- cyanobacteria (2.5 billion years ago) and stromatolites
WITH CORRECT ANSWERS 2026
Microbes - CORRECT ANSWER -organisms and acellular entities too small to be clearly seen by
the unaided eye
simple in their construction and lack highly differentiated cells and distinct tissues
3 domains of microbes - CORRECT ANSWER -Bacteria (true bacteria), Archaea, Eukarya
(eukaryotes)
classified based on comparison of ribosomal RNA; affected by detailed structure of cells,
biochemical/physiological characteristics, genetic sequencing
Domain Bacteria - CORRECT ANSWER -singe-celled, cell wall with peptidoglycan, lack a
membrane-bound nucleus, ubiquitous and some live in extreme enviornment
cyanobacteria produce significant amounts of oxygen
Domain Archaea - CORRECT ANSWER -unique rRNA gene sequences, lack peptidoglycan in cell
walls, unique membrane lipids, unusual metabolic characteristics, many live in extreme
enviornments
Protists - CORRECT ANSWER -Domain Eukarya- generally larger than Bacteria and Archaea
algae, protozoa, slime molds, water molds
Fungi (saprophytic) - CORRECT ANSWER -yeast-unicellular
, mold-multicellular
Viruses - CORRECT ANSWER -smallest of all microbes, requires host cell to replicate, cause range
of diseases (some cancers)
Viroids and Virusoids - CORRECT ANSWER -Infectious agents composed of RNA
Virions - CORRECT ANSWER -infectious proteins
Ribozymes - CORRECT ANSWER -RNA molecules that form peptide bonds, perform cellular work
and replication
Earliest Molecules - CORRECT ANSWER -may have been RNA surrounded by liposomes
RNA - CORRECT ANSWER -Cellular pool of RNA exists in and associated with the ribosome
(rRNA, tRNA, mRNA)
catalytic in protein synthesis
may be precursor to double stranded DNA
can regulate gene expression
ATP (adenosine 5' triphosphate) - CORRECT ANSWER -energy currency and is a ribonucleotide
Earliest Metabolism - CORRECT ANSWER -energy sources under harsh conditions (inorganics)
photosynthesis- cyanobacteria (2.5 billion years ago) and stromatolites
