PORTAGE LEARNING: MICROBIOLOGY MODULE 1 EXAM
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS 2026 NEW AND
UPDATED
1. Microbiology is the study of what? Microbiology is the study of
microbes (microorganisms and viruses) and their biological
processes. Answer: Microbiology is the study of microbes
(microorganisms and viruses) and their biological processes.
2. What is the smallest biological unit of life? A Cell Answer: A Cell
3. What is a macromolecule? A macromolecule is classified as a
complex molecule that is composed from smaller subunits.
Answer: A macromolecule is classified as a complex molecule
that is composed from smaller subunits.
4. What are the four main types of macromolecules?
5. Carbohydrates
6. Lipids
7. Proteins
8. Nucleic Acids Answer: Carbohydrates, Lipids, Proteins, Nucleic
Acids
9. What various functions do proteins have in a cell? 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. Answer: Facilitate transport, act as
enzymes, structural support, enable movement
10. What are the two major types of nucleic acids and their
roles? 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. Answer: DNA stores
hereditary information; RNA deciphers DNA to synthesize
proteins
11. What is the plasma membrane, and what is it made up of?
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). Answer: Barrier separating cell interior from
exterior; composed of lipids (phospholipids)
12. What are the three main components of polysaccharides?
Polysaccharides are composed of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen
atoms. Examples would include, C6H12O6 (glucose) C12H22O11
(sucrose) and C6H10O5 (cellulose). Answer: Carbon, Hydrogen,
Oxygen
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS 2026 NEW AND
UPDATED
1. Microbiology is the study of what? Microbiology is the study of
microbes (microorganisms and viruses) and their biological
processes. Answer: Microbiology is the study of microbes
(microorganisms and viruses) and their biological processes.
2. What is the smallest biological unit of life? A Cell Answer: A Cell
3. What is a macromolecule? A macromolecule is classified as a
complex molecule that is composed from smaller subunits.
Answer: A macromolecule is classified as a complex molecule
that is composed from smaller subunits.
4. What are the four main types of macromolecules?
5. Carbohydrates
6. Lipids
7. Proteins
8. Nucleic Acids Answer: Carbohydrates, Lipids, Proteins, Nucleic
Acids
9. What various functions do proteins have in a cell? 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. Answer: Facilitate transport, act as
enzymes, structural support, enable movement
10. What are the two major types of nucleic acids and their
roles? 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. Answer: DNA stores
hereditary information; RNA deciphers DNA to synthesize
proteins
11. What is the plasma membrane, and what is it made up of?
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). Answer: Barrier separating cell interior from
exterior; composed of lipids (phospholipids)
12. What are the three main components of polysaccharides?
Polysaccharides are composed of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen
atoms. Examples would include, C6H12O6 (glucose) C12H22O11
(sucrose) and C6H10O5 (cellulose). Answer: Carbon, Hydrogen,
Oxygen
