D311 Microbiology Exam Questions with Verified Answers (Correct
Update)
Question 1: Which statement describes prokaryotic cells?
a) Prokaryotic cells are found in coccus form in both
pairs and clusters.
b) Prokaryotic cells have multiple rod-shaped chromo- pr
somes.
c) Prokaryotic cells are found in chains of rods but not
single rods.
d) Prokaryotic cells have a nucleus surrounded by a
complex nuclear membrane.
Answer: A
This is correct because
okaryotic cells can form
cocus in both pairs and
clusters
Question 2: Which statement describes eukaryotic cells?
a) The exoskeletons of eukaryotic cells maintain and
support the cells' shapes.
b) The nuclei of eukaryotic cells are surrounded by
complex nuclear membranes.
c) The genomes of eukaryotic cells are usually packaged in single circular chromosomes.
d) The organelles of eukaryotic cells are held in place
by semipermeable exoskeletons.
Answer: B
Question 3: Which statement describes eukaryotic flagella?
a) Eukaryotic flagella can cover the entire surface of a
cell.
b) Eukaryotic flagella are rotating structures.
c) Eukaryotic flagella have twelve pairs of microtubules.
d) Eukaryotic flagella are flexible, whip-like structures.
Answer: D
Page 1
,Question 4: Which statement describes the endomembrane system?
a) It is attached to the smooth endoplasmic reticulum
and makes proteins for insertion into the cell membrane.
b) It includes the Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, and
vesicles.
c) It is a system that uses diffusion to transport materials inside of the cell.
d) It lacks membrane-bound organelles.
Answer: B
Question 5: Which statement accurately describes similarities between protozoa and fungi?
a) Both perform chemosynthesis.
b) Both can be harmful or harmless depending on the
context.
c) Both are made of long filaments that form visible
colonies.
d) Both move with help from cilia and flagella.
Answer: B
Question 6: Why are algae considered photosynthetic organisms?
a) Algae cell walls are constructed with a material
called peptidoglycan.
b) Algae contain substances that can be converted
into biofuels.
c) Algae produce chemical energy from the sun's light
energy.
d) Algae create waste products that other organisms
can use to make energy.
Answer: C
Question 7: Why are plasmids important to the survival of organisms?
a) Plasmids exclusively contain the genes responsible
for cellular replication in bacteria.
b) Plasmids can store excess nutrients in the cytoplasm of the cell.
c) Plasmids protect the bacterial genome in a dormant
state during unfavorable environmental conditions.
d) Plasmids carry genetic material, apart from the
genome, that can benefit the organism.
Answer: D
Plasmids often carry
genes that can otter beneficial traits such as antibiotic resistance
Page 2
,Question 8: Which statement describes bacteria?
a) Some bacteria are eukaryotes.
b) Some bacteria have cell walls composed of mycolic M
acid.
c) Some bacteria are motile by cilia.
d) Some bacteria have cell walls composed of chitin.
Answer: B
Mycolic acid can be found
in the cell walls of acid-fast
bacteria
Question 9: Why are prokaryotes vital to life?
Answer: Prokaryotes are vital to life
because they are able to
recycle elements like carbon and nutrients. Organisms like animals need
organic carbon in order to grow but, unlike prokaryotes, they are
unable to use inorganic
carbon sources like CO2.
The enzyme nitrogenase is
only found in prokaryotes
Question 10: Which aspect of nutrient cycling is performed only by
prokaryotes?
a) Respiration process
b) Carbon fixation
c) Nitrate assimilation
d) Nitrogen fixation
Answer: D
The enzyme nitrogenase is
only found in prokaryotes;
it is vital to life and the
process of nitrogen fixation
Page 3
, Question 11: How does microbial bioremediation benefit the environment?
a) By helping to minimize the growth of pathogens in
different parts of the body
b) By helping to metabolize and remove pollutants in
the atmosphere
c) By producing complex organic pharmaceutical com- r
pounds used in antibiotics, vaccines, and vitamins
d) By producing gases, such as carbon dioxide, which
are used to make biofuels
Answer: B
This is the correct answer because the definition of bioremediation
is the process of bacteia using a toxic structure
to grow which leads to it
being removed from the
environment. Occurs often
by breaking it down into
its nontoxic components
Question 12: What describes the relationship of pathogens to virulence?
a) Highly virulent pathogens almost always lead to a
disease state when introduced to the body.
b) Pathogens that cause an infection cannot also be
virulent.
c) Highly virulent pathogens are highly susceptible to
the human immune system.
d) Less virulent pathogens are less likely to lead to an
infection.
Answer: A
Question 13: What is the key difference between a primary
pathogen and an opportunistic pathogen?
a) Primary pathogens can be fought off by the
body's immune defense system, whereas opportunistic pathogens require synthetic
interventions.
b) Primary pathogens can infect certain people,
whereas opportunistic pathogens can infect anyone.
c) Primary pathogens can infect anyone, whereas opportunistic pathogens can cause disease if
the host is
immunocompromised.
d) Primary pathogens are part of the human microbiome, whereas opportunistic pathogens are
transmitted from another host.
Answer: C
Page 4
Update)
Question 1: Which statement describes prokaryotic cells?
a) Prokaryotic cells are found in coccus form in both
pairs and clusters.
b) Prokaryotic cells have multiple rod-shaped chromo- pr
somes.
c) Prokaryotic cells are found in chains of rods but not
single rods.
d) Prokaryotic cells have a nucleus surrounded by a
complex nuclear membrane.
Answer: A
This is correct because
okaryotic cells can form
cocus in both pairs and
clusters
Question 2: Which statement describes eukaryotic cells?
a) The exoskeletons of eukaryotic cells maintain and
support the cells' shapes.
b) The nuclei of eukaryotic cells are surrounded by
complex nuclear membranes.
c) The genomes of eukaryotic cells are usually packaged in single circular chromosomes.
d) The organelles of eukaryotic cells are held in place
by semipermeable exoskeletons.
Answer: B
Question 3: Which statement describes eukaryotic flagella?
a) Eukaryotic flagella can cover the entire surface of a
cell.
b) Eukaryotic flagella are rotating structures.
c) Eukaryotic flagella have twelve pairs of microtubules.
d) Eukaryotic flagella are flexible, whip-like structures.
Answer: D
Page 1
,Question 4: Which statement describes the endomembrane system?
a) It is attached to the smooth endoplasmic reticulum
and makes proteins for insertion into the cell membrane.
b) It includes the Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, and
vesicles.
c) It is a system that uses diffusion to transport materials inside of the cell.
d) It lacks membrane-bound organelles.
Answer: B
Question 5: Which statement accurately describes similarities between protozoa and fungi?
a) Both perform chemosynthesis.
b) Both can be harmful or harmless depending on the
context.
c) Both are made of long filaments that form visible
colonies.
d) Both move with help from cilia and flagella.
Answer: B
Question 6: Why are algae considered photosynthetic organisms?
a) Algae cell walls are constructed with a material
called peptidoglycan.
b) Algae contain substances that can be converted
into biofuels.
c) Algae produce chemical energy from the sun's light
energy.
d) Algae create waste products that other organisms
can use to make energy.
Answer: C
Question 7: Why are plasmids important to the survival of organisms?
a) Plasmids exclusively contain the genes responsible
for cellular replication in bacteria.
b) Plasmids can store excess nutrients in the cytoplasm of the cell.
c) Plasmids protect the bacterial genome in a dormant
state during unfavorable environmental conditions.
d) Plasmids carry genetic material, apart from the
genome, that can benefit the organism.
Answer: D
Plasmids often carry
genes that can otter beneficial traits such as antibiotic resistance
Page 2
,Question 8: Which statement describes bacteria?
a) Some bacteria are eukaryotes.
b) Some bacteria have cell walls composed of mycolic M
acid.
c) Some bacteria are motile by cilia.
d) Some bacteria have cell walls composed of chitin.
Answer: B
Mycolic acid can be found
in the cell walls of acid-fast
bacteria
Question 9: Why are prokaryotes vital to life?
Answer: Prokaryotes are vital to life
because they are able to
recycle elements like carbon and nutrients. Organisms like animals need
organic carbon in order to grow but, unlike prokaryotes, they are
unable to use inorganic
carbon sources like CO2.
The enzyme nitrogenase is
only found in prokaryotes
Question 10: Which aspect of nutrient cycling is performed only by
prokaryotes?
a) Respiration process
b) Carbon fixation
c) Nitrate assimilation
d) Nitrogen fixation
Answer: D
The enzyme nitrogenase is
only found in prokaryotes;
it is vital to life and the
process of nitrogen fixation
Page 3
, Question 11: How does microbial bioremediation benefit the environment?
a) By helping to minimize the growth of pathogens in
different parts of the body
b) By helping to metabolize and remove pollutants in
the atmosphere
c) By producing complex organic pharmaceutical com- r
pounds used in antibiotics, vaccines, and vitamins
d) By producing gases, such as carbon dioxide, which
are used to make biofuels
Answer: B
This is the correct answer because the definition of bioremediation
is the process of bacteia using a toxic structure
to grow which leads to it
being removed from the
environment. Occurs often
by breaking it down into
its nontoxic components
Question 12: What describes the relationship of pathogens to virulence?
a) Highly virulent pathogens almost always lead to a
disease state when introduced to the body.
b) Pathogens that cause an infection cannot also be
virulent.
c) Highly virulent pathogens are highly susceptible to
the human immune system.
d) Less virulent pathogens are less likely to lead to an
infection.
Answer: A
Question 13: What is the key difference between a primary
pathogen and an opportunistic pathogen?
a) Primary pathogens can be fought off by the
body's immune defense system, whereas opportunistic pathogens require synthetic
interventions.
b) Primary pathogens can infect certain people,
whereas opportunistic pathogens can infect anyone.
c) Primary pathogens can infect anyone, whereas opportunistic pathogens can cause disease if
the host is
immunocompromised.
d) Primary pathogens are part of the human microbiome, whereas opportunistic pathogens are
transmitted from another host.
Answer: C
Page 4
