Portage Learning. Microbiology Module
1
Microbiology is the study of what? - answer Microbiology is the study of microbes
(microorganisms and viruses) and their biological processes.
What is the smallest biological unit of life? - answer A Cell
What is a macromolecule? - answer A macromolecule is classified as a complex
molecule that is composed from smaller subunits.
What are the four main types of macromolecules? - answer1. Carbohydrates
2. Lipids
3. Proteins
4. Nucleic Acids
What various functions do proteins have in a cell? - answer 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? - answerThere 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? - answerThe 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 polysaccharides? - answerPolysaccharides 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? -
answerEukaryotic cells contain a nucleus, a membrane enclosed region within the cell
1
Microbiology is the study of what? - answer Microbiology is the study of microbes
(microorganisms and viruses) and their biological processes.
What is the smallest biological unit of life? - answer A Cell
What is a macromolecule? - answer A macromolecule is classified as a complex
molecule that is composed from smaller subunits.
What are the four main types of macromolecules? - answer1. Carbohydrates
2. Lipids
3. Proteins
4. Nucleic Acids
What various functions do proteins have in a cell? - answer 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? - answerThere 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? - answerThe 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 polysaccharides? - answerPolysaccharides 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? -
answerEukaryotic cells contain a nucleus, a membrane enclosed region within the cell
