BIOD 171 MODULE 1 EXAM SCRIPT 2026 FULL
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
◉ 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
movement of materials (water, nutrients, etc) either in or out of the
cell, thus allowing a cell to absorb and keep what is needed (influx)
while also preventing the escape (outflux) of essential nutrients. The
plasma membrane is composed of lipids (hydrophobic
hydrocarbons)
◉ What are the three main components of carbohydrates? Answer:
Carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen
◉ 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: Coccus
(round/spherical), bacillus (rod), vibrio (curved rod), 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:
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
◉ What are the primary cellular organelles described in this
module? Answer: Ribosomes (protein synthesis), ER (site of protein
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
◉ 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
movement of materials (water, nutrients, etc) either in or out of the
cell, thus allowing a cell to absorb and keep what is needed (influx)
while also preventing the escape (outflux) of essential nutrients. The
plasma membrane is composed of lipids (hydrophobic
hydrocarbons)
◉ What are the three main components of carbohydrates? Answer:
Carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen
◉ 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: Coccus
(round/spherical), bacillus (rod), vibrio (curved rod), 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:
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
◉ What are the primary cellular organelles described in this
module? Answer: Ribosomes (protein synthesis), ER (site of protein
