1
BIOD 171 FINAL EXAM STUDY Questions
with Correct Answers | Updated (100%
Correct Answers)
Microbiology is the study of what? Answer: Microbiology is the
study of microbes (microorganisms and viruses) and their biological
processes.
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.
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,2
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.
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, 3
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
© 2025 All rights reserved
BIOD 171 FINAL EXAM STUDY Questions
with Correct Answers | Updated (100%
Correct Answers)
Microbiology is the study of what? Answer: Microbiology is the
study of microbes (microorganisms and viruses) and their biological
processes.
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.
© 2025 All rights reserved
,2
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.
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 3
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
© 2025 All rights reserved
