BIOD 171 Exam Questions with Correct
Answers
The study of microbes (microorganisms and viruses) and their biological processes
Microbiology
What is the smallest biological unit of life
A cell
Classified as a complex molecule that is composed from smaller subunits
Macromolecule
What are the four main types of macromolecules?
Proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and nucleic acids
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.
what re the two major types of nucleic acids and their roles?
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.
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
lipids (hydrophobic hydrocarbons)
Plasma membrane and what it is made up of
carbon, hydrogen and oxygen atoms. Examples would include, C6H10O5 (glucose)
C12H22O11 (surcose) and C6H10O5 (cellulose)
The three main components of carbohydrates
Contain a nucleus, a membrane enclosed region within the cell that contains the genetic
material.
Eukaryotic cells
Cells do not contain a nucleus and can be further classified as either Bacteria and
Archaea
Prokaryotic cells
Coccus (round/spherical), bacillus (rod), Vibrio (curved rod) or spirillum
(spiral/corkscrew)
Main morphologies of bacteria
Which group of microbes is noted for its ability to survive under harsh conditions?
Archaea. They are able to survive in extremely harsh environmental conditions such as high
salt levels, acid conditions, high temperatures and oxygen-poor conditions
Animal, Plant, Fungi or Protista
The four main classifications of Eukarya?
, Can viruses be classified as either prokaryotic or eukaryotic
No
The lipid bilayer of the plasma membrane is composed of what?
The 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
Ribosomes (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)
Primary cellular organelles
An organism or virus too small to be seen without a microscope
Microbe
A microbe capable of causing disease
-Not all microbes are pathogens
Pathogen
Bacteria and Archaea
Bacteriology
Algae
Phycology
Answers
The study of microbes (microorganisms and viruses) and their biological processes
Microbiology
What is the smallest biological unit of life
A cell
Classified as a complex molecule that is composed from smaller subunits
Macromolecule
What are the four main types of macromolecules?
Proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and nucleic acids
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.
what re the two major types of nucleic acids and their roles?
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.
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
lipids (hydrophobic hydrocarbons)
Plasma membrane and what it is made up of
carbon, hydrogen and oxygen atoms. Examples would include, C6H10O5 (glucose)
C12H22O11 (surcose) and C6H10O5 (cellulose)
The three main components of carbohydrates
Contain a nucleus, a membrane enclosed region within the cell that contains the genetic
material.
Eukaryotic cells
Cells do not contain a nucleus and can be further classified as either Bacteria and
Archaea
Prokaryotic cells
Coccus (round/spherical), bacillus (rod), Vibrio (curved rod) or spirillum
(spiral/corkscrew)
Main morphologies of bacteria
Which group of microbes is noted for its ability to survive under harsh conditions?
Archaea. They are able to survive in extremely harsh environmental conditions such as high
salt levels, acid conditions, high temperatures and oxygen-poor conditions
Animal, Plant, Fungi or Protista
The four main classifications of Eukarya?
, Can viruses be classified as either prokaryotic or eukaryotic
No
The lipid bilayer of the plasma membrane is composed of what?
The 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
Ribosomes (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)
Primary cellular organelles
An organism or virus too small to be seen without a microscope
Microbe
A microbe capable of causing disease
-Not all microbes are pathogens
Pathogen
Bacteria and Archaea
Bacteriology
Algae
Phycology
