BIOL 101 Module 6 - Original Practice Exam Page 1
, BIOL 101 Module 6 Exam | Essential Biology I w/Lab | Portage Learning | Q & A |
2026/2027 Edition (PDF)
BIOL 101 Module 6 Exam
Scope: microbiology; prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell identification; bacterial structures, shapes and movement; Gram
staining; viruses; innate and adaptive immune defenses; leukocytes; inflammation; antigen presentation; antibodies; T-
cell responses; pathogen transmission; virulence; immune evasion; and infection prevention.
Select the best answer for each item. The correct answer and rationale follow each question.
1. Which feature most clearly distinguishes a prokaryotic cell from a eukaryotic cell?
A. Prokaryotes lack a plasma membrane
B. Prokaryotes lack ribosomes
C. Prokaryotes lack a membrane-bound nucleus
D. Prokaryotes lack DNA
Correct Answer: C. Prokaryotes lack a membrane-bound nucleus
Rationale: Prokaryotic DNA is concentrated in a nucleoid rather than enclosed in a membrane-bound nucleus.
2. The nucleoid of a bacterial cell contains primarily:
A. Golgi apparatus
B. Mitochondria
C. The main bacterial chromosome
D. Lysosomes
Correct Answer: C. The main bacterial chromosome
Rationale: The nucleoid is the non-membrane-bound region containing the bacterial chromosome.
3. Small circular DNA molecules separate from the bacterial chromosome are called:
A. Ribosomes
B. Capsules
C. Endospores
D. Plasmids
Correct Answer: D. Plasmids
Rationale: Plasmids are independently replicating DNA molecules that may carry traits such as antibiotic resistance.
4. The major structural component of most bacterial cell walls is:
A. Chitin
BIOL 101 Module 6 - Original Practice Exam Page 2
, B. Peptidoglycan
C. Glycogen
D. Cellulose
Correct Answer: B. Peptidoglycan
Rationale: Peptidoglycan helps maintain bacterial shape and protects against osmotic stress.
5. A bacterial capsule can help a pathogen by:
A. Promoting adherence and reducing phagocytosis
B. Producing ATP
C. Replicating DNA
D. Replacing the plasma membrane
Correct Answer: A. Promoting adherence and reducing phagocytosis
Rationale: Capsules can support attachment and help bacteria evade immune-cell engulfment.
6. Fimbriae are most commonly used by bacteria for:
A. Protein translation
B. ATP synthesis
C. Chromosome segregation
D. Attachment to surfaces or host cells
Correct Answer: D. Attachment to surfaces or host cells
Rationale: Fimbriae are short surface appendages that help bacteria adhere to tissues and surfaces.
7. The primary function of a bacterial flagellum is:
A. DNA storage
B. Motility
C. Protein synthesis
D. Cell-wall construction
Correct Answer: B. Motility
Rationale: Flagella rotate to propel many bacterial cells.
8. A spherical bacterium is described as a:
A. Bacillus
B. Coccus
C. Vibrio
D. Spirillum
BIOL 101 Module 6 - Original Practice Exam Page 3
, BIOL 101 Module 6 Exam | Essential Biology I w/Lab | Portage Learning | Q & A |
2026/2027 Edition (PDF)
BIOL 101 Module 6 Exam
Scope: microbiology; prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell identification; bacterial structures, shapes and movement; Gram
staining; viruses; innate and adaptive immune defenses; leukocytes; inflammation; antigen presentation; antibodies; T-
cell responses; pathogen transmission; virulence; immune evasion; and infection prevention.
Select the best answer for each item. The correct answer and rationale follow each question.
1. Which feature most clearly distinguishes a prokaryotic cell from a eukaryotic cell?
A. Prokaryotes lack a plasma membrane
B. Prokaryotes lack ribosomes
C. Prokaryotes lack a membrane-bound nucleus
D. Prokaryotes lack DNA
Correct Answer: C. Prokaryotes lack a membrane-bound nucleus
Rationale: Prokaryotic DNA is concentrated in a nucleoid rather than enclosed in a membrane-bound nucleus.
2. The nucleoid of a bacterial cell contains primarily:
A. Golgi apparatus
B. Mitochondria
C. The main bacterial chromosome
D. Lysosomes
Correct Answer: C. The main bacterial chromosome
Rationale: The nucleoid is the non-membrane-bound region containing the bacterial chromosome.
3. Small circular DNA molecules separate from the bacterial chromosome are called:
A. Ribosomes
B. Capsules
C. Endospores
D. Plasmids
Correct Answer: D. Plasmids
Rationale: Plasmids are independently replicating DNA molecules that may carry traits such as antibiotic resistance.
4. The major structural component of most bacterial cell walls is:
A. Chitin
BIOL 101 Module 6 - Original Practice Exam Page 2
, B. Peptidoglycan
C. Glycogen
D. Cellulose
Correct Answer: B. Peptidoglycan
Rationale: Peptidoglycan helps maintain bacterial shape and protects against osmotic stress.
5. A bacterial capsule can help a pathogen by:
A. Promoting adherence and reducing phagocytosis
B. Producing ATP
C. Replicating DNA
D. Replacing the plasma membrane
Correct Answer: A. Promoting adherence and reducing phagocytosis
Rationale: Capsules can support attachment and help bacteria evade immune-cell engulfment.
6. Fimbriae are most commonly used by bacteria for:
A. Protein translation
B. ATP synthesis
C. Chromosome segregation
D. Attachment to surfaces or host cells
Correct Answer: D. Attachment to surfaces or host cells
Rationale: Fimbriae are short surface appendages that help bacteria adhere to tissues and surfaces.
7. The primary function of a bacterial flagellum is:
A. DNA storage
B. Motility
C. Protein synthesis
D. Cell-wall construction
Correct Answer: B. Motility
Rationale: Flagella rotate to propel many bacterial cells.
8. A spherical bacterium is described as a:
A. Bacillus
B. Coccus
C. Vibrio
D. Spirillum
BIOL 101 Module 6 - Original Practice Exam Page 3
