PORTAGE LEARNING BIOL 271
MICROBIOLOGY MODULE 1 EXAM
1. Which of the following scientists is credited with first observing and describing
‘animalcules’ using a handcrafted single-lens microscope?
A. Robert Hooke
B. Louis Pasteur
C. Robert Koch
D. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Antonie van Leeuwenhoek was the first to observe live
microorganisms, which he called ‘animalcules,’ in the late 17th century.
2. The theory of spontaneous generation was finally disproved by which experiment?
A. Francesco Redi’s meat and maggot experiment
B. Robert Koch’s postulates using anthrax
C. Louis Pasteur’s swan-neck flask experiment
D. Lazzaro Spallanzani’s boiled broth experiment
,Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Pasteur’s swan-neck flask experiment demonstrated that
microorganisms in the air were responsible for contamination, not a vital force in the air
itself.
3. In the binomial system of nomenclature, which of the following is the correct way to write
the name of a bacterium?
A. Staphylococcus aureus (italicized)
B. staphylococcus Aureus
C. staphylococcus aureus
D. STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Scientific names must be italicized (or underlined), with the
Genus capitalized and the species lowercase.
4. Which domain includes organisms that contain peptidoglycan in their cell walls?
A. Archaea
B. Bacteria
C. Eukarya
D. Monera
Answer: B
, Conceptual Explanation: Bacteria are distinguished from Archaea and Eukarya by the
presence of peptidoglycan in their cell walls.
5. What is the primary difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells regarding their
genetic material?
A. Prokaryotes use RNA while eukaryotes use DNA
B. Eukaryotes lack a membrane-bound nucleus
C. Prokaryotes lack a membrane-bound nucleus
D. Eukaryotes have circular DNA instead of linear
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Prokaryotic cells (Bacteria and Archaea) do not have a
membrane-bound nucleus to house their DNA.
6. Which type of microscope is best suited for viewing the internal structures of a virus at
high magnification?
A. Transmission electron microscope (TEM)
B. Scanning electron microscope (SEM)
C. Phase-contrast microscope
D. Dark-field microscope
Answer: A
MICROBIOLOGY MODULE 1 EXAM
1. Which of the following scientists is credited with first observing and describing
‘animalcules’ using a handcrafted single-lens microscope?
A. Robert Hooke
B. Louis Pasteur
C. Robert Koch
D. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Antonie van Leeuwenhoek was the first to observe live
microorganisms, which he called ‘animalcules,’ in the late 17th century.
2. The theory of spontaneous generation was finally disproved by which experiment?
A. Francesco Redi’s meat and maggot experiment
B. Robert Koch’s postulates using anthrax
C. Louis Pasteur’s swan-neck flask experiment
D. Lazzaro Spallanzani’s boiled broth experiment
,Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Pasteur’s swan-neck flask experiment demonstrated that
microorganisms in the air were responsible for contamination, not a vital force in the air
itself.
3. In the binomial system of nomenclature, which of the following is the correct way to write
the name of a bacterium?
A. Staphylococcus aureus (italicized)
B. staphylococcus Aureus
C. staphylococcus aureus
D. STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Scientific names must be italicized (or underlined), with the
Genus capitalized and the species lowercase.
4. Which domain includes organisms that contain peptidoglycan in their cell walls?
A. Archaea
B. Bacteria
C. Eukarya
D. Monera
Answer: B
, Conceptual Explanation: Bacteria are distinguished from Archaea and Eukarya by the
presence of peptidoglycan in their cell walls.
5. What is the primary difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells regarding their
genetic material?
A. Prokaryotes use RNA while eukaryotes use DNA
B. Eukaryotes lack a membrane-bound nucleus
C. Prokaryotes lack a membrane-bound nucleus
D. Eukaryotes have circular DNA instead of linear
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Prokaryotic cells (Bacteria and Archaea) do not have a
membrane-bound nucleus to house their DNA.
6. Which type of microscope is best suited for viewing the internal structures of a virus at
high magnification?
A. Transmission electron microscope (TEM)
B. Scanning electron microscope (SEM)
C. Phase-contrast microscope
D. Dark-field microscope
Answer: A
