WGU D311 – Microbiology UPDATED ACTUAL Questions and CORRECT Answers
1. Bacterial Struc- Irregular shaped region within the cell of a prokaryote that contains all or most of
tures: Nucleoid the genetic material
2. Bacterial Struc-
tures: Plasmids Small, circular, double-stranded DNA molecules found in prokaryotic cells along
side the main chromosomes; often carry genes, including antibiotic resistance to
aid in organism survival
3. Bacterial Struc-
Responsible for protein synthesis:
tures: Ribosomes Prokaryotes - have 70S in cytoplasm
Eukaryotes - have multiple located throughout the cytoplasm and by ER
4. Bacterial Struc- Some prokaryotic cells store excess nutrients in these structures, aiding adaption
tures: Inclusions to unstable environments by reducing osmotic pressure
5. Bacterial Struc-
tures: En- Are specialized structures formed by certain bacteria to protect their genetic
dospores material in a dormant state during unfavorable conditions; Ex: archaea
6. Bacterial Struc-
tures: Plasma
Membrane
Present in all cells, encloses the cytoplasm, internal structures, and regulates
molecule passage; consists of lipids and proteins that move fluidly:
7. Bacterial Struc- Prokaryotes: Nuclear Envelope
tures: Cell Wall
Protects the cells from harsh environmental conditions; Bacteria: primarily com-
prised by peptidoglycan, while archaea have pseudopeptidoglycan or other struc-
tures;
Gram-positive: have thick peptidoglycan layers containing teichoic acids
8. Bacterial Struc- Gram-negative: have thinner peptidoglycan layers with an outer membrane con-
tures: Flagella taining lipoplycaccharides
Cell structure that enable movement in liquid environment
9.
, Bacterial Struc- Short bristle-like proteins projecting from the cell surface to attach to surfaces and
tures: Fimbriae other cells; important for biofilm formation
Pathogenic: important for colonization, infectivity, and virulence
10. Bacterial Struc-
tures: Pili longer, less numerous protein appendages that aid in attachment to surfaces;
important in transfer of DNA between bacterial cells
11. Chemotaxis Cell movement in response to chemical signals in their environment
12. Positive Chemo- Detection of a concentration gradient of a specific chemical that can be attracted
taxis
13. Negative Chemo- Detection of a concentration gradient of a specific chemical that can be repelled
taxis
14. Phototaxis Cell movement in response to light
15. Positive Photo- Movement toward lights
taxis
16. Negative Photo-
taxis Movement away from lights
17. Bactrium "runs" Flagella propelling bacteria forward in counterclockwise motion toward stimuli
18. Bactrium "tum- Flagella rotating clockwise to stop bacterium and change direction randomly by
bles" reorientation and exploration of environment
19. Endospores Dormant, highly resistant structures from by certain bacteria in response to
adverse environmental conditions
20. Vegetative Cells Actively growing and metabolically active bacteria cells; lack resistance properties
of endospores and are susceptible to environmental stressors; carry out normal
functions such as metabolism, growth, and reporoduction
, 21. Sporulation Survival strategy in response to unfavorable environmental conditions such as
Process nutrient depletion, high temp, or exposure to toxins
22. Steps in Sporula-
tion Process 1. Initiation - senses conditions
2. Asymmetric Division - forming smaller forespore and larger mother cells
3. Engulfment - mother cell engulfs the forespore, forming double-layered mem-
brane around it
4. Cortex Formation - thick peptidoglycan layer is deposited between the 2
membranes
5. Coat Formation - protein coat around cortex providing protecting
6. Maturation & Release - mature endospore released from mother cell; remains
dormant until conditions are favorable
23. Lysis Destruction of cell by rupture of cell wall or membrane
24. Gram-positive Contain thick peptidoglycan layer with embedded teichoic acid external to the the
Cells plasma membrane
25. Teichoic Acid A phosphorylated polyalcohol found in the cell wall of some gram-positive Bacte-
ria
26. Gram-negative Structurally complex; containing 3 layers: inner membrane, thin peptidoglycan
Cells layer, and outer membrane contain lipopolysaccharide
27. Lipopolysaccha-
rides Found in outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria; maintains the structural
integrity of the outer membrane and acts as an endotoxin, contributing to the
pathogenicity or gram-negative bacteria
28. Periplasmic
Space Gel-like matrix region between the inner and outer membrane of gram-negative
bacteria rich in proteins, enzymes, and transport proteins; involves nutrient up-
take, detoxification, and cell wall synthesis
29.
1. Bacterial Struc- Irregular shaped region within the cell of a prokaryote that contains all or most of
tures: Nucleoid the genetic material
2. Bacterial Struc-
tures: Plasmids Small, circular, double-stranded DNA molecules found in prokaryotic cells along
side the main chromosomes; often carry genes, including antibiotic resistance to
aid in organism survival
3. Bacterial Struc-
Responsible for protein synthesis:
tures: Ribosomes Prokaryotes - have 70S in cytoplasm
Eukaryotes - have multiple located throughout the cytoplasm and by ER
4. Bacterial Struc- Some prokaryotic cells store excess nutrients in these structures, aiding adaption
tures: Inclusions to unstable environments by reducing osmotic pressure
5. Bacterial Struc-
tures: En- Are specialized structures formed by certain bacteria to protect their genetic
dospores material in a dormant state during unfavorable conditions; Ex: archaea
6. Bacterial Struc-
tures: Plasma
Membrane
Present in all cells, encloses the cytoplasm, internal structures, and regulates
molecule passage; consists of lipids and proteins that move fluidly:
7. Bacterial Struc- Prokaryotes: Nuclear Envelope
tures: Cell Wall
Protects the cells from harsh environmental conditions; Bacteria: primarily com-
prised by peptidoglycan, while archaea have pseudopeptidoglycan or other struc-
tures;
Gram-positive: have thick peptidoglycan layers containing teichoic acids
8. Bacterial Struc- Gram-negative: have thinner peptidoglycan layers with an outer membrane con-
tures: Flagella taining lipoplycaccharides
Cell structure that enable movement in liquid environment
9.
, Bacterial Struc- Short bristle-like proteins projecting from the cell surface to attach to surfaces and
tures: Fimbriae other cells; important for biofilm formation
Pathogenic: important for colonization, infectivity, and virulence
10. Bacterial Struc-
tures: Pili longer, less numerous protein appendages that aid in attachment to surfaces;
important in transfer of DNA between bacterial cells
11. Chemotaxis Cell movement in response to chemical signals in their environment
12. Positive Chemo- Detection of a concentration gradient of a specific chemical that can be attracted
taxis
13. Negative Chemo- Detection of a concentration gradient of a specific chemical that can be repelled
taxis
14. Phototaxis Cell movement in response to light
15. Positive Photo- Movement toward lights
taxis
16. Negative Photo-
taxis Movement away from lights
17. Bactrium "runs" Flagella propelling bacteria forward in counterclockwise motion toward stimuli
18. Bactrium "tum- Flagella rotating clockwise to stop bacterium and change direction randomly by
bles" reorientation and exploration of environment
19. Endospores Dormant, highly resistant structures from by certain bacteria in response to
adverse environmental conditions
20. Vegetative Cells Actively growing and metabolically active bacteria cells; lack resistance properties
of endospores and are susceptible to environmental stressors; carry out normal
functions such as metabolism, growth, and reporoduction
, 21. Sporulation Survival strategy in response to unfavorable environmental conditions such as
Process nutrient depletion, high temp, or exposure to toxins
22. Steps in Sporula-
tion Process 1. Initiation - senses conditions
2. Asymmetric Division - forming smaller forespore and larger mother cells
3. Engulfment - mother cell engulfs the forespore, forming double-layered mem-
brane around it
4. Cortex Formation - thick peptidoglycan layer is deposited between the 2
membranes
5. Coat Formation - protein coat around cortex providing protecting
6. Maturation & Release - mature endospore released from mother cell; remains
dormant until conditions are favorable
23. Lysis Destruction of cell by rupture of cell wall or membrane
24. Gram-positive Contain thick peptidoglycan layer with embedded teichoic acid external to the the
Cells plasma membrane
25. Teichoic Acid A phosphorylated polyalcohol found in the cell wall of some gram-positive Bacte-
ria
26. Gram-negative Structurally complex; containing 3 layers: inner membrane, thin peptidoglycan
Cells layer, and outer membrane contain lipopolysaccharide
27. Lipopolysaccha-
rides Found in outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria; maintains the structural
integrity of the outer membrane and acts as an endotoxin, contributing to the
pathogenicity or gram-negative bacteria
28. Periplasmic
Space Gel-like matrix region between the inner and outer membrane of gram-negative
bacteria rich in proteins, enzymes, and transport proteins; involves nutrient up-
take, detoxification, and cell wall synthesis
29.
