,BIOD171/BIOD 171 Final Exam | Essential Microbiology with
Lab | Portage Learning | Q & A | 2026/2027 Edition (PDF)
1. Which of the following best describes the primary distinction between prokaryotic and eukaryotic
cells?
A) Prokaryotic cells have a nucleus, while eukaryotic cells do not
B) Eukaryotic cells have a membrane-bound nucleus, while prokaryotic cells do not
C) Prokaryotic cells contain membrane-bound organelles, while eukaryotic cells do not
D) Eukaryotic cells are always smaller than prokaryotic cells
Correct Answer: Eukaryotic cells have a membrane-bound nucleus, while prokaryotic cells do not
Rationale: The primary distinction is the presence of a membrane-bound nucleus in eukaryotic cells,
which houses the genetic material. Prokaryotic cells lack a nucleus and other membrane-bound
organelles. This is a fundamental concept in microbiology.
2. What is the smallest biological unit capable of sustaining life processes?
A) The molecule
B) The atom
C) The cell
D) The tissue
Correct Answer: The cell
Rationale: The cell is the basic structural and functional unit of all living organisms. Molecules and atoms
are not alive, and tissues are composed of multiple cells, making the cell the smallest independently
functioning unit of life.
3. At a generalized level, all cells are comprised primarily of which of the following?
A) Organelles
B) Tissues
,C) Macromolecules
D) Organisms
Correct Answer: Macromolecules
Rationale: Cells are constructed primarily from macromolecules—proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and
polysaccharides—that collectively perform structural and catalytic functions.
4. A virus is classified as which of the following?
A) A microorganism
B) A microbe
C) A prokaryote
D) A eukaryote
Correct Answer: A microbe
Rationale: While viruses are not living organisms and do not meet the criteria of microorganisms, they
are included within the broad category of microbes. Microbes encompass all microscopic entities
including bacteria, archaea, protists, fungi, and viruses.
5. How many carbon atoms are present in the monosaccharide glucose?
A) 3
B) 5
C) 6
D) 12
Correct Answer: 6
Rationale: Glucose is a six-carbon monosaccharide with the chemical formula C₆H₁₂O₆. It is a primary
energy source for cells and a key molecule in glycolysis.
, 6. Proteins are formed from various combinations of which building blocks?
A) Nucleotides
B) Monosaccharides
C) Amino acids
D) Fatty acids
Correct Answer: Amino acids
Rationale: Proteins are polymers made from monomer subunits called amino acids. There are 20
standard amino acids that combine in various sequences to form diverse proteins with different
functions.
7. Which of the following is a function of the ribosome?
A) Lipid synthesis
B) Protein synthesis
C) Waste disposal via hydrolytic enzymes
D) Energy production
Correct Answer: Protein synthesis
Rationale: Ribosomes are the cellular machines responsible for protein synthesis. They translate
messenger RNA into polypeptide chains, which fold into functional proteins.
8. The function of the mitochondria is to:
A) Synthesize lipids
B) Synthesize proteins
C) Produce energy (ATP)
D) Modify and package proteins
Lab | Portage Learning | Q & A | 2026/2027 Edition (PDF)
1. Which of the following best describes the primary distinction between prokaryotic and eukaryotic
cells?
A) Prokaryotic cells have a nucleus, while eukaryotic cells do not
B) Eukaryotic cells have a membrane-bound nucleus, while prokaryotic cells do not
C) Prokaryotic cells contain membrane-bound organelles, while eukaryotic cells do not
D) Eukaryotic cells are always smaller than prokaryotic cells
Correct Answer: Eukaryotic cells have a membrane-bound nucleus, while prokaryotic cells do not
Rationale: The primary distinction is the presence of a membrane-bound nucleus in eukaryotic cells,
which houses the genetic material. Prokaryotic cells lack a nucleus and other membrane-bound
organelles. This is a fundamental concept in microbiology.
2. What is the smallest biological unit capable of sustaining life processes?
A) The molecule
B) The atom
C) The cell
D) The tissue
Correct Answer: The cell
Rationale: The cell is the basic structural and functional unit of all living organisms. Molecules and atoms
are not alive, and tissues are composed of multiple cells, making the cell the smallest independently
functioning unit of life.
3. At a generalized level, all cells are comprised primarily of which of the following?
A) Organelles
B) Tissues
,C) Macromolecules
D) Organisms
Correct Answer: Macromolecules
Rationale: Cells are constructed primarily from macromolecules—proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and
polysaccharides—that collectively perform structural and catalytic functions.
4. A virus is classified as which of the following?
A) A microorganism
B) A microbe
C) A prokaryote
D) A eukaryote
Correct Answer: A microbe
Rationale: While viruses are not living organisms and do not meet the criteria of microorganisms, they
are included within the broad category of microbes. Microbes encompass all microscopic entities
including bacteria, archaea, protists, fungi, and viruses.
5. How many carbon atoms are present in the monosaccharide glucose?
A) 3
B) 5
C) 6
D) 12
Correct Answer: 6
Rationale: Glucose is a six-carbon monosaccharide with the chemical formula C₆H₁₂O₆. It is a primary
energy source for cells and a key molecule in glycolysis.
, 6. Proteins are formed from various combinations of which building blocks?
A) Nucleotides
B) Monosaccharides
C) Amino acids
D) Fatty acids
Correct Answer: Amino acids
Rationale: Proteins are polymers made from monomer subunits called amino acids. There are 20
standard amino acids that combine in various sequences to form diverse proteins with different
functions.
7. Which of the following is a function of the ribosome?
A) Lipid synthesis
B) Protein synthesis
C) Waste disposal via hydrolytic enzymes
D) Energy production
Correct Answer: Protein synthesis
Rationale: Ribosomes are the cellular machines responsible for protein synthesis. They translate
messenger RNA into polypeptide chains, which fold into functional proteins.
8. The function of the mitochondria is to:
A) Synthesize lipids
B) Synthesize proteins
C) Produce energy (ATP)
D) Modify and package proteins
