Microbiology Module 1 Portage Learning: Study Guide 2025
Can viruses be classified as either prokaryotic or eukaryotic? - ansNo. 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.
Chloroplasts - ansSite of photosynthesis
ER - ansSite of protein synthesis
Golgi complex - ansprotein modification and distribution
Lysosomes - answaste disposal
Microbiology is the study of what? - ansMicrobiology is the study of microbes (microorganisms and viruses)
and their biological processes.
Mitochondria - ansATP production
Ribosomes - ansprotein synthesis
The lipid bilayer of the plasma membrane is composed of what? - ansThe 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.
What are the four main classifications of Eukarya? - ansEukaryotic microorganisms are classified as either
belonging to Animalia, Plantae, Fungi or Protista.
What are the four main types of macromolecules? - ans1. Carbohydrates
, 2. Lipids
3. Proteins
4. Nucleic Acids
What are the main morphologies of bacteria? - ansBacteria can be described as coccus (round/spherical),
bacillus (rod), vibrio (curved rod) or spirillum (spiral/corkscrew).
What are the primary cellular organelles described in this module? Be sure to know the roles of each. -
ansRibosomes (protein synthesis), ER (site of protein synthesis), Golgi (protein modification and distribution),
lysosomes (waste disposal), mitochondria (ATP generation) and chloroplasts (plants only; site of
photosynthesis).
What are the three main components of polysaccharides? - ansPolysaccharides are composed of carbon,
hydrogen and oxygen atoms. Examples would include, C6H12O6 (glucose) C12H22O11 (sucrose) and C6H10O5
(cellulose).
What are the two major types of nucleic acids and their roles? - ansThere 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 a macromolecule? - ansA macromolecule is classified as a complex molecule that is composed from
smaller subunits.
What is the plasma membrane, and what is it made up of? - ansThe 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 is the primary difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells? - ansEukaryotic cells contain a
nucleus, a membrane enclosed region within the cell that contains the genetic material. Prokaryotic cells do
Can viruses be classified as either prokaryotic or eukaryotic? - ansNo. 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.
Chloroplasts - ansSite of photosynthesis
ER - ansSite of protein synthesis
Golgi complex - ansprotein modification and distribution
Lysosomes - answaste disposal
Microbiology is the study of what? - ansMicrobiology is the study of microbes (microorganisms and viruses)
and their biological processes.
Mitochondria - ansATP production
Ribosomes - ansprotein synthesis
The lipid bilayer of the plasma membrane is composed of what? - ansThe 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.
What are the four main classifications of Eukarya? - ansEukaryotic microorganisms are classified as either
belonging to Animalia, Plantae, Fungi or Protista.
What are the four main types of macromolecules? - ans1. Carbohydrates
, 2. Lipids
3. Proteins
4. Nucleic Acids
What are the main morphologies of bacteria? - ansBacteria can be described as coccus (round/spherical),
bacillus (rod), vibrio (curved rod) or spirillum (spiral/corkscrew).
What are the primary cellular organelles described in this module? Be sure to know the roles of each. -
ansRibosomes (protein synthesis), ER (site of protein synthesis), Golgi (protein modification and distribution),
lysosomes (waste disposal), mitochondria (ATP generation) and chloroplasts (plants only; site of
photosynthesis).
What are the three main components of polysaccharides? - ansPolysaccharides are composed of carbon,
hydrogen and oxygen atoms. Examples would include, C6H12O6 (glucose) C12H22O11 (sucrose) and C6H10O5
(cellulose).
What are the two major types of nucleic acids and their roles? - ansThere 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 a macromolecule? - ansA macromolecule is classified as a complex molecule that is composed from
smaller subunits.
What is the plasma membrane, and what is it made up of? - ansThe 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 is the primary difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells? - ansEukaryotic cells contain a
nucleus, a membrane enclosed region within the cell that contains the genetic material. Prokaryotic cells do
