,BIOD 171 Final Exam | Practice Q&A | 2026/2027 | Microbiology |
Portage Learning
1. What is the smallest biological unit of life?
A) Molecule
B) Organelle
C) Cell
D) Tissue
Correct Answer: Cell
Rationale: The cell is the smallest biological unit of life. Molecules and
organelles are subunits of cells, and tissues are groups of similar cells. This is
a foundational concept in microbiology and biology.
2. At a generalized level, all cells are comprised of which four
macromolecules?
A) Proteins, Lipids, Nucleic acids, and Polysaccharides
B) Proteins, Fats, Sugars, and DNA
C) Amino acids, Fatty acids, Nucleotides, and Monosaccharides
D) Enzymes, Hormones, Vitamins, and Minerals
Correct Answer: Proteins, Lipids, Nucleic acids, and Polysaccharides
Rationale: All cells are constructed from proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and
polysaccharides. These four macromolecules serve structural, informational,
and catalytic functions. Amino acids and nucleotides are subunits, not
macromolecules.
3. True or False: A virus is considered a microorganism.
,A) True
B) False
Correct Answer: False
Rationale: Viruses are not living and as such are not considered
microorganisms. Viruses can, however, be classified as microbes, a more
general term that includes microorganisms and viruses.
4. How many different types of amino acids are available to make proteins?
A) 12
B) 20
C) 25
D) 30
Correct Answer: 20
Rationale: There are 20 different types of amino acids from which to make
proteins. These serve as the building blocks for all proteins in living
organisms. Nine of these are classified as essential amino acids.
5. How many amino acids are classified as essential amino acids?
A) 5
B) 7
C) 9
D) 12
Correct Answer: 9
, Rationale: There are 9 essential amino acids that the body cannot produce
and must be consumed through diet. The remaining 11 are non-essential and
can be synthesized by the body.
6. Which of the following microorganisms are considered to be Eukarya?
(Select all that apply)
A) Animalia
B) Plantae
C) Fungi
D) Protista
Correct Answer: Animalia, Plantae, Fungi, Protista
Rationale: Animalia, Plantae, Fungi, and Protista are all considered eukaryotic
classifications. Eukaryotic cells contain a membrane-bound nucleus and
organelles. Bacteria and Archaea are prokaryotic.
7. Which of the following is a prokaryotic microorganism?
A) Fungi
B) Bacteria
C) Protista
D) Animalia
Correct Answer: Bacteria
Rationale: Bacteria are prokaryotic microorganisms that lack a membrane-
bound nucleus and organelles. Fungi, Protista, and Animalia are eukaryotic.
Archaea are also prokaryotic but are classified separately.
Portage Learning
1. What is the smallest biological unit of life?
A) Molecule
B) Organelle
C) Cell
D) Tissue
Correct Answer: Cell
Rationale: The cell is the smallest biological unit of life. Molecules and
organelles are subunits of cells, and tissues are groups of similar cells. This is
a foundational concept in microbiology and biology.
2. At a generalized level, all cells are comprised of which four
macromolecules?
A) Proteins, Lipids, Nucleic acids, and Polysaccharides
B) Proteins, Fats, Sugars, and DNA
C) Amino acids, Fatty acids, Nucleotides, and Monosaccharides
D) Enzymes, Hormones, Vitamins, and Minerals
Correct Answer: Proteins, Lipids, Nucleic acids, and Polysaccharides
Rationale: All cells are constructed from proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and
polysaccharides. These four macromolecules serve structural, informational,
and catalytic functions. Amino acids and nucleotides are subunits, not
macromolecules.
3. True or False: A virus is considered a microorganism.
,A) True
B) False
Correct Answer: False
Rationale: Viruses are not living and as such are not considered
microorganisms. Viruses can, however, be classified as microbes, a more
general term that includes microorganisms and viruses.
4. How many different types of amino acids are available to make proteins?
A) 12
B) 20
C) 25
D) 30
Correct Answer: 20
Rationale: There are 20 different types of amino acids from which to make
proteins. These serve as the building blocks for all proteins in living
organisms. Nine of these are classified as essential amino acids.
5. How many amino acids are classified as essential amino acids?
A) 5
B) 7
C) 9
D) 12
Correct Answer: 9
, Rationale: There are 9 essential amino acids that the body cannot produce
and must be consumed through diet. The remaining 11 are non-essential and
can be synthesized by the body.
6. Which of the following microorganisms are considered to be Eukarya?
(Select all that apply)
A) Animalia
B) Plantae
C) Fungi
D) Protista
Correct Answer: Animalia, Plantae, Fungi, Protista
Rationale: Animalia, Plantae, Fungi, and Protista are all considered eukaryotic
classifications. Eukaryotic cells contain a membrane-bound nucleus and
organelles. Bacteria and Archaea are prokaryotic.
7. Which of the following is a prokaryotic microorganism?
A) Fungi
B) Bacteria
C) Protista
D) Animalia
Correct Answer: Bacteria
Rationale: Bacteria are prokaryotic microorganisms that lack a membrane-
bound nucleus and organelles. Fungi, Protista, and Animalia are eukaryotic.
Archaea are also prokaryotic but are classified separately.
