,BIOL271/BIOL 271 final Exam | Microbiology w/
Lab | Portage Learning | Q & A | 2026/2027
Edition (PDF)
**1. Which of the following correctly lists the four macromolecules common to all cells?**
A) Proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids
B) Proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, ATP
C) Proteins, carbohydrates, nucleic acids, water
D) Lipids, carbohydrates, ATP, DNA
Correct Answer: Proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids
Rationale: The four major classes of macromolecules are proteins, carbohydrates (polysaccharides),
lipids, and nucleic acids (DNA/RNA). ATP is a nucleotide, not a class of macromolecule; water is a small
molecule, not a macromolecule; and DNA is a type of nucleic acid.
**2. The cell is defined as the smallest biological unit of life. This principle is a cornerstone of:**
A) Spontaneous generation
B) Cell theory
C) Germ theory
D) Koch's postulates
Correct Answer: Cell theory
Rationale: Cell theory states that all living things are composed of cells and that cells arise from pre-
existing cells. This is a foundational principle of biology. Germ theory and Koch's postulates relate to
infectious disease, while spontaneous generation is a disproven theory about the origin of life.
**3. True or False: A virus is classified as a microorganism.**
A) True
,B) False
Correct Answer: False
Rationale: Viruses are not living and as such are not considered microorganisms. Viruses can, however,
be classified as microbes, a more general term that includes microorganisms and viruses.
**4. DNA, RNA, or both: Which has a helix formation?**
A) Only DNA
B) Only RNA
C) Both DNA and RNA
D) Neither DNA nor RNA
Correct Answer: Only DNA
Rationale: DNA is characterized by a double helix structure. RNA is typically single-stranded and does not
form a stable helix structure, though it can form short double-stranded regions through intramolecular
base pairing.
**5. Is DNA self-replicating?**
A) Yes
B) No
C) Only in prokaryotic cells
D) Only in eukaryotic cells
Correct Answer: Yes
Rationale: DNA is self-replicating, meaning it can duplicate itself through the process of DNA replication.
This occurs in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells and is essential for cell division and the transmission
of genetic information.
, **6. Is RNA self-replicating?**
A) Yes
B) No
C) Only in viruses
D) Only in bacteria
Correct Answer: No
Rationale: RNA is not self-replicating. Unlike DNA, RNA cannot duplicate itself independently. RNA is
synthesized from a DNA template through transcription.
**7. What is the primary function of DNA in a cell?**
A) Protein synthesis
B) Energy production
C) Storage of hereditary information
D) Formation of the cell wall
Correct Answer: Storage of hereditary information
Rationale: DNA holds the genetic blueprints and is self-replicating. RNA deciphers DNA and participates
in protein synthesis. Energy production is primarily mitochondrial, and the cell wall is a structural
component, not related to DNA function.
**8. Which nucleic acid is able to leave the nucleus in eukaryotic cells?**
A) DNA
B) mRNA
C) Both DNA and RNA
D) Neither DNA nor RNA
Lab | Portage Learning | Q & A | 2026/2027
Edition (PDF)
**1. Which of the following correctly lists the four macromolecules common to all cells?**
A) Proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids
B) Proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, ATP
C) Proteins, carbohydrates, nucleic acids, water
D) Lipids, carbohydrates, ATP, DNA
Correct Answer: Proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids
Rationale: The four major classes of macromolecules are proteins, carbohydrates (polysaccharides),
lipids, and nucleic acids (DNA/RNA). ATP is a nucleotide, not a class of macromolecule; water is a small
molecule, not a macromolecule; and DNA is a type of nucleic acid.
**2. The cell is defined as the smallest biological unit of life. This principle is a cornerstone of:**
A) Spontaneous generation
B) Cell theory
C) Germ theory
D) Koch's postulates
Correct Answer: Cell theory
Rationale: Cell theory states that all living things are composed of cells and that cells arise from pre-
existing cells. This is a foundational principle of biology. Germ theory and Koch's postulates relate to
infectious disease, while spontaneous generation is a disproven theory about the origin of life.
**3. True or False: A virus is classified as a microorganism.**
A) True
,B) False
Correct Answer: False
Rationale: Viruses are not living and as such are not considered microorganisms. Viruses can, however,
be classified as microbes, a more general term that includes microorganisms and viruses.
**4. DNA, RNA, or both: Which has a helix formation?**
A) Only DNA
B) Only RNA
C) Both DNA and RNA
D) Neither DNA nor RNA
Correct Answer: Only DNA
Rationale: DNA is characterized by a double helix structure. RNA is typically single-stranded and does not
form a stable helix structure, though it can form short double-stranded regions through intramolecular
base pairing.
**5. Is DNA self-replicating?**
A) Yes
B) No
C) Only in prokaryotic cells
D) Only in eukaryotic cells
Correct Answer: Yes
Rationale: DNA is self-replicating, meaning it can duplicate itself through the process of DNA replication.
This occurs in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells and is essential for cell division and the transmission
of genetic information.
, **6. Is RNA self-replicating?**
A) Yes
B) No
C) Only in viruses
D) Only in bacteria
Correct Answer: No
Rationale: RNA is not self-replicating. Unlike DNA, RNA cannot duplicate itself independently. RNA is
synthesized from a DNA template through transcription.
**7. What is the primary function of DNA in a cell?**
A) Protein synthesis
B) Energy production
C) Storage of hereditary information
D) Formation of the cell wall
Correct Answer: Storage of hereditary information
Rationale: DNA holds the genetic blueprints and is self-replicating. RNA deciphers DNA and participates
in protein synthesis. Energy production is primarily mitochondrial, and the cell wall is a structural
component, not related to DNA function.
**8. Which nucleic acid is able to leave the nucleus in eukaryotic cells?**
A) DNA
B) mRNA
C) Both DNA and RNA
D) Neither DNA nor RNA
