BIO 117 MIDTERM ACTUAL QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS | NEW 2026 UPDATE
In which of these environments would you expect to find prokaryotic organisms? -
ANSWERS All answers are correct.
-deep-sea vents
-geysers and hot springs
-inside Antarctic ice
-desert soils
Archaea have similar characteristics to both Bacteria and Eukarya. Look at the
archaean trait and indicate whether it is similar to Bacteria or Eukarya for each.
Answer Choices
A. Bacteria
B. Eukarya
1. Reproduce by binary fission
2. Complex RNA polymerases
3. Most or all members are single celled
4. No membrane bound nucleus
,5. No peptidoglycan in cell walls
6. Exist in a wide range of environments
7. Use a wide variety of sources of energy and carbon
8. Not affected by antibiotics - ANSWERS 1. A. Bacteria
2. B. Eukarya
3. A. Bacteria
4. A. Bacteria
5. B. Eukarya
6. A. Bacteria
7. A. Bacteria
8. B. Eukarya
Match the following ways bacteria and/or archaea can transfer or exchange
genetic information (sometimes called horizontal gene transfer) with the
descriptions.
[a] : The transfer of prokaryotic genes from a donor to a recipient cell via a virus.
[b] : The uptake of foreign DNA from an organism's surroundings.
[c] : DNA is transferred from a donor to a recipient cell when the two cells are
joined. - ANSWERS -Transduction: : The transfer of prokaryotic genes from a
donor to a recipient cell via a virus.
-Transformation: : The uptake of foreign DNA from an organism's surroundings.
, -Conjugation: : DNA is transferred from a donor to a recipient cell when the two
cells are joined.
Which is NOT true of most bacterial genomes? - ANSWERS It is found within
the nucleus.
Which of the following are ways a biologist could begin to identify or categorize
bacteria? (Select ALL that apply.) - ANSWERS -Gram positive/gram negative
-Reproductive method
-Shape
-Arrangement (diplo-, staphylo-, strepto-, etc.)
Gram staining classifies bacteria into two groups based on which characteristic? -
ANSWERS the composition of the cell wall
In which of the following domains is the transfer of genetic material between two
individuals by means other than sexual reproduction (horizontal gene transfer),
NOT important? - ANSWERS Eukarya
Bacteria and Archaea obtain energy and carbon from a wide range of sources and
can be categorized accordingly. Match the following examples to their category.
Cyanobacteria were among the first organisms on earth to photosynthesize,
eventually leading to an oxygen-rich atmosphere. Through photosynthesis, they
utilize energy from sunlight to fix carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. [a]
AND ANSWERS WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS | NEW 2026 UPDATE
In which of these environments would you expect to find prokaryotic organisms? -
ANSWERS All answers are correct.
-deep-sea vents
-geysers and hot springs
-inside Antarctic ice
-desert soils
Archaea have similar characteristics to both Bacteria and Eukarya. Look at the
archaean trait and indicate whether it is similar to Bacteria or Eukarya for each.
Answer Choices
A. Bacteria
B. Eukarya
1. Reproduce by binary fission
2. Complex RNA polymerases
3. Most or all members are single celled
4. No membrane bound nucleus
,5. No peptidoglycan in cell walls
6. Exist in a wide range of environments
7. Use a wide variety of sources of energy and carbon
8. Not affected by antibiotics - ANSWERS 1. A. Bacteria
2. B. Eukarya
3. A. Bacteria
4. A. Bacteria
5. B. Eukarya
6. A. Bacteria
7. A. Bacteria
8. B. Eukarya
Match the following ways bacteria and/or archaea can transfer or exchange
genetic information (sometimes called horizontal gene transfer) with the
descriptions.
[a] : The transfer of prokaryotic genes from a donor to a recipient cell via a virus.
[b] : The uptake of foreign DNA from an organism's surroundings.
[c] : DNA is transferred from a donor to a recipient cell when the two cells are
joined. - ANSWERS -Transduction: : The transfer of prokaryotic genes from a
donor to a recipient cell via a virus.
-Transformation: : The uptake of foreign DNA from an organism's surroundings.
, -Conjugation: : DNA is transferred from a donor to a recipient cell when the two
cells are joined.
Which is NOT true of most bacterial genomes? - ANSWERS It is found within
the nucleus.
Which of the following are ways a biologist could begin to identify or categorize
bacteria? (Select ALL that apply.) - ANSWERS -Gram positive/gram negative
-Reproductive method
-Shape
-Arrangement (diplo-, staphylo-, strepto-, etc.)
Gram staining classifies bacteria into two groups based on which characteristic? -
ANSWERS the composition of the cell wall
In which of the following domains is the transfer of genetic material between two
individuals by means other than sexual reproduction (horizontal gene transfer),
NOT important? - ANSWERS Eukarya
Bacteria and Archaea obtain energy and carbon from a wide range of sources and
can be categorized accordingly. Match the following examples to their category.
Cyanobacteria were among the first organisms on earth to photosynthesize,
eventually leading to an oxygen-rich atmosphere. Through photosynthesis, they
utilize energy from sunlight to fix carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. [a]
