Page 1 of 144
Fortis Microbiology Final Exam 2026|
Questions with Answers |Certified Quality
1. Which of the following is the correct order of the taxonomic
hierarchy from broadest to most specific?
a) Species, Genus, Family, Order, Class, Phylum, Kingdom,
Domain
b) Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus,
Species
c) Kingdom, Domain, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus,
Species
d) Domain, Phylum, Kingdom, Class, Order, Family, Genus,
Species
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Rationale: The taxonomic hierarchy from broadest to most
specific is: Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family,
Genus, Species. Domain is the most inclusive category.
2. A prokaryotic cell is characterized by:
a) Membrane-bound nucleus
b) 80S ribosomes
c) Lack of membrane-bound organelles
d) Presence of mitochondria
Rationale: Prokaryotes (bacteria and archaea) lack a nucleus
and all membrane-bound organelles. They have 70S
ribosomes, not 80S.
3. Scenario: A patient has a urinary tract infection. Gram stain
shows purple, spherical cells in chains. What is the likely
morphology and arrangement?
a) Gram-positive rods in palisades
b) Gram-positive cocci in chains
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c) Gram-negative cocci in clusters
d) Gram-negative rods singly
Rationale: Purple = Gram-positive; spherical = cocci; chains =
streptococcal arrangement (e.g., Enterococcus
faecalis, Streptococcus agalactiae).
4. The glycocalyx that is firmly attached and organized is
called a:
a) Slime layer
b) Biofilm
c) Capsule
d) S-layer
Rationale: A capsule is tightly bound to the cell wall and is
highly organized. A slime layer is loose and unorganized.
5. Which structure is responsible for bacterial motility?
a) Pili
b) Fimbriae
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c) Flagella
d) Ribosomes
Rationale: Flagella are whip-like structures that rotate to
propel bacteria. Pili and fimbriae are for attachment and
conjugation.
6. Endospores are produced by:
a) Staphylococcus aureus
b) Escherichia coli
c) Bacillus anthracis
d) Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Rationale: Endospores are formed
by Bacillus and Clostridium species for survival under harsh
conditions (heat, radiation, chemicals).
7. The bacterial cell wall is composed of:
a) Cellulose
b) Chitin
Fortis Microbiology Final Exam 2026|
Questions with Answers |Certified Quality
1. Which of the following is the correct order of the taxonomic
hierarchy from broadest to most specific?
a) Species, Genus, Family, Order, Class, Phylum, Kingdom,
Domain
b) Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus,
Species
c) Kingdom, Domain, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus,
Species
d) Domain, Phylum, Kingdom, Class, Order, Family, Genus,
Species
,Page 2 of 144
Rationale: The taxonomic hierarchy from broadest to most
specific is: Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family,
Genus, Species. Domain is the most inclusive category.
2. A prokaryotic cell is characterized by:
a) Membrane-bound nucleus
b) 80S ribosomes
c) Lack of membrane-bound organelles
d) Presence of mitochondria
Rationale: Prokaryotes (bacteria and archaea) lack a nucleus
and all membrane-bound organelles. They have 70S
ribosomes, not 80S.
3. Scenario: A patient has a urinary tract infection. Gram stain
shows purple, spherical cells in chains. What is the likely
morphology and arrangement?
a) Gram-positive rods in palisades
b) Gram-positive cocci in chains
,Page 3 of 144
c) Gram-negative cocci in clusters
d) Gram-negative rods singly
Rationale: Purple = Gram-positive; spherical = cocci; chains =
streptococcal arrangement (e.g., Enterococcus
faecalis, Streptococcus agalactiae).
4. The glycocalyx that is firmly attached and organized is
called a:
a) Slime layer
b) Biofilm
c) Capsule
d) S-layer
Rationale: A capsule is tightly bound to the cell wall and is
highly organized. A slime layer is loose and unorganized.
5. Which structure is responsible for bacterial motility?
a) Pili
b) Fimbriae
, Page 4 of 144
c) Flagella
d) Ribosomes
Rationale: Flagella are whip-like structures that rotate to
propel bacteria. Pili and fimbriae are for attachment and
conjugation.
6. Endospores are produced by:
a) Staphylococcus aureus
b) Escherichia coli
c) Bacillus anthracis
d) Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Rationale: Endospores are formed
by Bacillus and Clostridium species for survival under harsh
conditions (heat, radiation, chemicals).
7. The bacterial cell wall is composed of:
a) Cellulose
b) Chitin
