BIOD 171 Final Exam (4 Versions, Latest-
2026/2027): Essential Microbiology W/ Lab:
Portage Learning
Q1. What is the smallest biological unit of life?
A) A molecule
B) A cell
C) A tissue
D) An organ
Correct Answer: B) A cell
Rationale: The cell is the smallest biological unit of life. All living organisms are composed of
cells, which are the fundamental structural and functional units of life .
Q2. What are the four main types of macromolecules found in cells?
A) Proteins, Lipids, Nucleic Acids, Carbohydrates
B) Proteins, Fats, Sugars, DNA
C) Amino Acids, Nucleotides, Sugars, Fatty Acids
D) Enzymes, Hormones, Sugars, Lipids
Correct Answer: A) Proteins, Lipids, Nucleic Acids, Carbohydrates
Rationale: The four main types of macromolecules found in cells are proteins, lipids, nucleic
acids, and carbohydrates. These macromolecules are essential for cellular structure and
function .
Q3. Proteins are formed from various combinations of:
A) Nucleotides
B) Fatty acids
,C) Amino acids
D) Monosaccharides
Correct Answer: C) Amino acids
Rationale: Proteins are polymers made up of amino acid monomers linked by peptide bonds.
There are twenty known forms of amino acids .
Q4. How many amino acids are classified as being essential amino acids?
A) 5
B) 9
C) 12
D) 20
Correct Answer: B) 9
Rationale: There are 20 known forms of amino acids, and nine of these are classified as
essential amino acids—meaning they must be obtained through diet because the body cannot
synthesize them .
Q5. Where can the two major types of nucleic acids be found in the cell?
A) Both in the cytoplasm
B) DNA in the nucleus; RNA in the nucleus and cytoplasm
C) DNA in the mitochondria; RNA in the nucleus
D) Both in the mitochondria
Correct Answer: B) DNA in the nucleus; RNA in the nucleus and cytoplasm
Rationale: DNA is found in the nucleus and contains hereditary information. RNA is also found
in the nucleus but is capable of leaving the nucleus to synthesize proteins .
Q6. How many carbon atoms are present in glucose?
,A) 3
B) 6
C) 12
D) 24
Correct Answer: B) 6
Rationale: Glucose is a six-carbon sugar (C₆H₁₂O₆) that serves as a primary energy source for
cells .
Q7. True or False: The genetic material within a prokaryotic cell is contained within a
membrane-enclosed region.
A) True
B) False
Correct Answer: B) False
Rationale: Only eukaryotic cells contain their genetic material within a membrane-bound
nucleus. Prokaryotic cells do not have a nucleus; their genetic material is found free-floating in
the cytoplasm .
Q8. True or False: Prokaryotic cells can be subdivided into Bacteria and Archaea.
A) True
B) False
Correct Answer: A) True
Rationale: Prokaryotic cells are divided into two domains: Bacteria and Archaea. Both lack a
membrane-bound nucleus .
Q9. True or False: Archaea is noted for its ability to survive under harsh conditions.
, A) True
B) False
Correct Answer: A) True
Rationale: Archaea are extremophiles that can survive in harsh conditions such as high salt
levels, high acid conditions, high temperatures, and oxygen-poor environments .
Q10. The function of lysosomes is to:
A) Produce energy (ATP)
B) Synthesize proteins
C) Perform waste disposal via hydrolytic enzymes
D) Modify and distribute proteins
Correct Answer: C) Perform waste disposal via hydrolytic enzymes
Rationale: Lysosomes contain hydrolytic enzymes that break down waste materials and cellular
debris. This is their primary function .
Q11. The function of the ribosome is to:
A) Produce energy (ATP)
B) Synthesize proteins
C) Perform waste disposal
D) Modify and distribute proteins
Correct Answer: B) Synthesize proteins
Rationale: Ribosomes are the site of protein synthesis. They read mRNA and assemble amino
acids into polypeptide chains .
Q12. The function of the Golgi apparatus is to:
2026/2027): Essential Microbiology W/ Lab:
Portage Learning
Q1. What is the smallest biological unit of life?
A) A molecule
B) A cell
C) A tissue
D) An organ
Correct Answer: B) A cell
Rationale: The cell is the smallest biological unit of life. All living organisms are composed of
cells, which are the fundamental structural and functional units of life .
Q2. What are the four main types of macromolecules found in cells?
A) Proteins, Lipids, Nucleic Acids, Carbohydrates
B) Proteins, Fats, Sugars, DNA
C) Amino Acids, Nucleotides, Sugars, Fatty Acids
D) Enzymes, Hormones, Sugars, Lipids
Correct Answer: A) Proteins, Lipids, Nucleic Acids, Carbohydrates
Rationale: The four main types of macromolecules found in cells are proteins, lipids, nucleic
acids, and carbohydrates. These macromolecules are essential for cellular structure and
function .
Q3. Proteins are formed from various combinations of:
A) Nucleotides
B) Fatty acids
,C) Amino acids
D) Monosaccharides
Correct Answer: C) Amino acids
Rationale: Proteins are polymers made up of amino acid monomers linked by peptide bonds.
There are twenty known forms of amino acids .
Q4. How many amino acids are classified as being essential amino acids?
A) 5
B) 9
C) 12
D) 20
Correct Answer: B) 9
Rationale: There are 20 known forms of amino acids, and nine of these are classified as
essential amino acids—meaning they must be obtained through diet because the body cannot
synthesize them .
Q5. Where can the two major types of nucleic acids be found in the cell?
A) Both in the cytoplasm
B) DNA in the nucleus; RNA in the nucleus and cytoplasm
C) DNA in the mitochondria; RNA in the nucleus
D) Both in the mitochondria
Correct Answer: B) DNA in the nucleus; RNA in the nucleus and cytoplasm
Rationale: DNA is found in the nucleus and contains hereditary information. RNA is also found
in the nucleus but is capable of leaving the nucleus to synthesize proteins .
Q6. How many carbon atoms are present in glucose?
,A) 3
B) 6
C) 12
D) 24
Correct Answer: B) 6
Rationale: Glucose is a six-carbon sugar (C₆H₁₂O₆) that serves as a primary energy source for
cells .
Q7. True or False: The genetic material within a prokaryotic cell is contained within a
membrane-enclosed region.
A) True
B) False
Correct Answer: B) False
Rationale: Only eukaryotic cells contain their genetic material within a membrane-bound
nucleus. Prokaryotic cells do not have a nucleus; their genetic material is found free-floating in
the cytoplasm .
Q8. True or False: Prokaryotic cells can be subdivided into Bacteria and Archaea.
A) True
B) False
Correct Answer: A) True
Rationale: Prokaryotic cells are divided into two domains: Bacteria and Archaea. Both lack a
membrane-bound nucleus .
Q9. True or False: Archaea is noted for its ability to survive under harsh conditions.
, A) True
B) False
Correct Answer: A) True
Rationale: Archaea are extremophiles that can survive in harsh conditions such as high salt
levels, high acid conditions, high temperatures, and oxygen-poor environments .
Q10. The function of lysosomes is to:
A) Produce energy (ATP)
B) Synthesize proteins
C) Perform waste disposal via hydrolytic enzymes
D) Modify and distribute proteins
Correct Answer: C) Perform waste disposal via hydrolytic enzymes
Rationale: Lysosomes contain hydrolytic enzymes that break down waste materials and cellular
debris. This is their primary function .
Q11. The function of the ribosome is to:
A) Produce energy (ATP)
B) Synthesize proteins
C) Perform waste disposal
D) Modify and distribute proteins
Correct Answer: B) Synthesize proteins
Rationale: Ribosomes are the site of protein synthesis. They read mRNA and assemble amino
acids into polypeptide chains .
Q12. The function of the Golgi apparatus is to:
