BIOD 171 Final Exam 2026/2027 NEWEST VERIFIED
QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED ANSWERS
Microbiology is the study of what? -✓✓ Microbiology is the study of microbes
(microorganisms and viruses) and their biological processes.
• What is the smallest biological unit of life -✓✓ cell
• What is a macromolecule? -✓✓ A macromolecule is classified as a complex
molecule that is composed from smaller subunits.
• What are the four main types of macromolecules? -✓✓ Proteins, nucleic acids,
lipids and carbohydrates
• What various functions do proteins have in a cell -✓✓ 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? -✓✓ 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. 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? -✓✓ 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? -✓✓ 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? -✓✓
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? -✓✓ 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? -✓✓ 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? -✓✓ Eukaryotic
microorganisms are classified as either belonging to Animalia, Plantae, Fungi or
Protista.
• Can viruses be classified as either prokaryotic or eukaryotic? -✓✓ 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? -✓✓ 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? Be sure to
know the roles of each. -✓✓ Ribosomes (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 is cellular metabolism? -✓✓ Metabolism is a controlled set of biochemical
reactions that occur in living organisms in order to maintain life.
• What is the primary function of enzymes, and how are they regulated? -✓✓
Enzymes speed up chemical reactions. Most notably, the enzyme is not consumed
during the reaction and can be used repeatedly by the cell. Enzymes can also be
regulated by a cofactor such that in the absence of the proper cofactor, enzymes are
inactive while in its presence enzymes are active.
• What is the difference between catabolism and anabolism? -✓✓ Catabolism is the
process of breaking down larger molecules into useful energy sources whereas
anabolism is the building up or biosynthesis of macromolecules from smaller
molecular units into larger complexes, most often associated with cellular growth
and repair.
• ATP has the energy to ,BLANK while ADP has the capacity to BLANK energy. -
✓✓ donate; accept
QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED ANSWERS
Microbiology is the study of what? -✓✓ Microbiology is the study of microbes
(microorganisms and viruses) and their biological processes.
• What is the smallest biological unit of life -✓✓ cell
• What is a macromolecule? -✓✓ A macromolecule is classified as a complex
molecule that is composed from smaller subunits.
• What are the four main types of macromolecules? -✓✓ Proteins, nucleic acids,
lipids and carbohydrates
• What various functions do proteins have in a cell -✓✓ 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? -✓✓ 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. 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? -✓✓ 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? -✓✓ 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? -✓✓
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? -✓✓ 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? -✓✓ 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? -✓✓ Eukaryotic
microorganisms are classified as either belonging to Animalia, Plantae, Fungi or
Protista.
• Can viruses be classified as either prokaryotic or eukaryotic? -✓✓ 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? -✓✓ 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? Be sure to
know the roles of each. -✓✓ Ribosomes (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 is cellular metabolism? -✓✓ Metabolism is a controlled set of biochemical
reactions that occur in living organisms in order to maintain life.
• What is the primary function of enzymes, and how are they regulated? -✓✓
Enzymes speed up chemical reactions. Most notably, the enzyme is not consumed
during the reaction and can be used repeatedly by the cell. Enzymes can also be
regulated by a cofactor such that in the absence of the proper cofactor, enzymes are
inactive while in its presence enzymes are active.
• What is the difference between catabolism and anabolism? -✓✓ Catabolism is the
process of breaking down larger molecules into useful energy sources whereas
anabolism is the building up or biosynthesis of macromolecules from smaller
molecular units into larger complexes, most often associated with cellular growth
and repair.
• ATP has the energy to ,BLANK while ADP has the capacity to BLANK energy. -
✓✓ donate; accept
