FUNDAMENTALS OF MICROBIOLOGY Questions
and Answers 2026 | Final Exam Prep Guide with
Explanations | A+ Verified
• Microbiology -✓✓The study of microscopic organisms, often referred to as microbes.
• Pathogen -✓✓A microbe that causes disease.
• Biofilm -✓✓A community of microorganisms attached to a surface and encased in a
protective matrix.
• Endospore -✓✓A dormant, tough structure produced by some bacteria for survival in
harsh conditions.
• Binary Fission -✓✓A form of asexual reproduction where a single cell divides into two
identical daughter cells.
• Peptidoglycan -✓✓A polymer forming the mesh-like layer of bacterial cell walls.
• Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) -✓✓A component of the outer membrane of Gram-negative
bacteria, acting as an endotoxin.
• Capsid -✓✓The protein shell surrounding a virus's genetic material.
• Mycology -✓✓The study of fungi.
• Endotoxin -✓✓Toxins originating from within bacterial cells (like LPS), released upon
cell death.
• Exotoxin -✓✓Toxins secreted by living bacteria into their environment.
• Hospital Acquired Infection (HAI) -✓✓An infection acquired during a healthcare
setting.
• Latent/Latency -✓✓A state where a microbe is present but dormant, causing no
symptoms.
• Spontaneous Generation -✓✓The disproven theory that life arises from non-living
matter.
• Aerobic -✓✓Requires oxygen for growth.
, • Anaerobic -✓✓Does not require oxygen; some are killed by it.
• Generation Time -✓✓The time it takes for a microbial population to double.
• Resident Microbiota -✓✓Permanent microbial inhabitants of the body.
• Transient Microbiota -✓✓Temporary microbes present for short periods.
• Louis Pasteur -✓✓Disproved spontaneous generation, developed pasteurization and
vaccines.
• Robert Koch -✓✓Established Koch's Postulates to link specific microbes to specific
diseases.
• Joseph Lister -✓✓Pioneered antiseptic surgery using phenol.
• Bacteria -✓✓Single-celled, prokaryotic, possess peptidoglycan cell walls.
• Archaea -✓✓Single-celled, prokaryotic, cell walls lack peptidoglycan. Often found in
extreme environments.
• Eukaryotes -✓✓Organisms with cells containing a nucleus and membrane-bound
organelles.
• Fungi -✓✓Eukaryotic, possess chitin walls, act as decomposers.
• Protozoa -✓✓Unicellular, eukaryotic, often motile.
• Algae -✓✓Eukaryotic, photosynthetic, possess cellulose walls.
• Helminths -✓✓Multicellular parasitic worms.
• Viruses -✓✓Genetic material (DNA or RNA) enclosed in a protein capsid. Require a
host cell to replicate.
• Prions -✓✓Infectious protein particles.
• Prokaryotic Cells -✓✓Lack a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.
• Eukaryotic Cells -✓✓Contain a nucleus (containing DNA), ribosomes, cell membrane,
cytoplasm, mitochondria, and various membrane-bound organelles.
• Media -✓✓Nutrients used to culture microbes in the lab.
and Answers 2026 | Final Exam Prep Guide with
Explanations | A+ Verified
• Microbiology -✓✓The study of microscopic organisms, often referred to as microbes.
• Pathogen -✓✓A microbe that causes disease.
• Biofilm -✓✓A community of microorganisms attached to a surface and encased in a
protective matrix.
• Endospore -✓✓A dormant, tough structure produced by some bacteria for survival in
harsh conditions.
• Binary Fission -✓✓A form of asexual reproduction where a single cell divides into two
identical daughter cells.
• Peptidoglycan -✓✓A polymer forming the mesh-like layer of bacterial cell walls.
• Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) -✓✓A component of the outer membrane of Gram-negative
bacteria, acting as an endotoxin.
• Capsid -✓✓The protein shell surrounding a virus's genetic material.
• Mycology -✓✓The study of fungi.
• Endotoxin -✓✓Toxins originating from within bacterial cells (like LPS), released upon
cell death.
• Exotoxin -✓✓Toxins secreted by living bacteria into their environment.
• Hospital Acquired Infection (HAI) -✓✓An infection acquired during a healthcare
setting.
• Latent/Latency -✓✓A state where a microbe is present but dormant, causing no
symptoms.
• Spontaneous Generation -✓✓The disproven theory that life arises from non-living
matter.
• Aerobic -✓✓Requires oxygen for growth.
, • Anaerobic -✓✓Does not require oxygen; some are killed by it.
• Generation Time -✓✓The time it takes for a microbial population to double.
• Resident Microbiota -✓✓Permanent microbial inhabitants of the body.
• Transient Microbiota -✓✓Temporary microbes present for short periods.
• Louis Pasteur -✓✓Disproved spontaneous generation, developed pasteurization and
vaccines.
• Robert Koch -✓✓Established Koch's Postulates to link specific microbes to specific
diseases.
• Joseph Lister -✓✓Pioneered antiseptic surgery using phenol.
• Bacteria -✓✓Single-celled, prokaryotic, possess peptidoglycan cell walls.
• Archaea -✓✓Single-celled, prokaryotic, cell walls lack peptidoglycan. Often found in
extreme environments.
• Eukaryotes -✓✓Organisms with cells containing a nucleus and membrane-bound
organelles.
• Fungi -✓✓Eukaryotic, possess chitin walls, act as decomposers.
• Protozoa -✓✓Unicellular, eukaryotic, often motile.
• Algae -✓✓Eukaryotic, photosynthetic, possess cellulose walls.
• Helminths -✓✓Multicellular parasitic worms.
• Viruses -✓✓Genetic material (DNA or RNA) enclosed in a protein capsid. Require a
host cell to replicate.
• Prions -✓✓Infectious protein particles.
• Prokaryotic Cells -✓✓Lack a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.
• Eukaryotic Cells -✓✓Contain a nucleus (containing DNA), ribosomes, cell membrane,
cytoplasm, mitochondria, and various membrane-bound organelles.
• Media -✓✓Nutrients used to culture microbes in the lab.
