BIOD 152 MODULE 7 FINAL PAPER PROBLEM
SET EXAM 2026 QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS
GRADED A+
◉ What is the smallest biological unit of life Answer: cell
◉ What is a macromolecule? Answer: A macromolecule is classified
as a complex molecule that is composed from smaller subunits.
◉ What are the four main types of macromolecules? Answer:
Proteins, nucleic acids, lipids and carbohydrates
◉ What various functions do proteins have in a cell Answer:
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 are the two major types of nucleic acids and their roles?
Answer: There are two major types of nucleic acids: 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.
◉ What is the plasma membrane, and what is it made up of?
Answer: The plasma membrane 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 essential nutrients.
The plasma membrane is composed of lipids (hydrophobic
hydrocarbons).
◉ What are the three main components of carbohydrates? Answer:
Carbohydrates are composed of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen atoms.
Examples would include, C6H12O6 (glucose) C12H22O11 (sucrose)
and C6H10O5 (cellulose).
◉ What is the primary difference between prokaryotic and
eukaryotic cells? Answer: Eukaryotic cells contain a nucleus, a
membrane enclosed region within the cell that contains the genetic
material. Prokaryotic cells do not have a nucleus and can be further
classified as either Bacteria or Archaea.
◉ What are the main morphologies of bacteria? Answer: Bacteria
can be described as coccus (round/spherical), bacillus (rod), vibrio
(curved rod) or spirillum (spiral/corkscrew).
, ◉ Which group (classification) of microbes is noted for its ability to
survive under harsh conditions? Answer: Archaea. They are able to
survive in extremely harsh environmental conditions such as high
salt levels, acid conditions, high temperatures and oxygen-poor
conditions.
◉ What are the four main classifications of Eukarya? Answer:
Eukaryotic microorganisms are classified as either belonging to
Animalia, Plantae, Fungi or Protista.
◉ Can viruses be classified as either prokaryotic or eukaryotic?
Answer: No. Viruses are considered neither prokaryotic nor
eukaryotic. Viruses are not considered living and do not replicate on
their own, meaning they must replicate within a host.
◉ The lipid bilayer of the plasma membrane is composed of what?
Answer: 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.
SET EXAM 2026 QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS
GRADED A+
◉ What is the smallest biological unit of life Answer: cell
◉ What is a macromolecule? Answer: A macromolecule is classified
as a complex molecule that is composed from smaller subunits.
◉ What are the four main types of macromolecules? Answer:
Proteins, nucleic acids, lipids and carbohydrates
◉ What various functions do proteins have in a cell Answer:
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 are the two major types of nucleic acids and their roles?
Answer: There are two major types of nucleic acids: 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.
◉ What is the plasma membrane, and what is it made up of?
Answer: The plasma membrane 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 essential nutrients.
The plasma membrane is composed of lipids (hydrophobic
hydrocarbons).
◉ What are the three main components of carbohydrates? Answer:
Carbohydrates are composed of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen atoms.
Examples would include, C6H12O6 (glucose) C12H22O11 (sucrose)
and C6H10O5 (cellulose).
◉ What is the primary difference between prokaryotic and
eukaryotic cells? Answer: Eukaryotic cells contain a nucleus, a
membrane enclosed region within the cell that contains the genetic
material. Prokaryotic cells do not have a nucleus and can be further
classified as either Bacteria or Archaea.
◉ What are the main morphologies of bacteria? Answer: Bacteria
can be described as coccus (round/spherical), bacillus (rod), vibrio
(curved rod) or spirillum (spiral/corkscrew).
, ◉ Which group (classification) of microbes is noted for its ability to
survive under harsh conditions? Answer: Archaea. They are able to
survive in extremely harsh environmental conditions such as high
salt levels, acid conditions, high temperatures and oxygen-poor
conditions.
◉ What are the four main classifications of Eukarya? Answer:
Eukaryotic microorganisms are classified as either belonging to
Animalia, Plantae, Fungi or Protista.
◉ Can viruses be classified as either prokaryotic or eukaryotic?
Answer: No. Viruses are considered neither prokaryotic nor
eukaryotic. Viruses are not considered living and do not replicate on
their own, meaning they must replicate within a host.
◉ The lipid bilayer of the plasma membrane is composed of what?
Answer: 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.
