Portage Learning
LANIF · 171 DOIB
★ ★
P A Division of Geneva College
EST. 2012
ONLINE COURSES FOR COLLEGE CREDIT
BIOD 171 Final Exam
E SS E N T I A L M I C R O B I O LO G Y — CO M P R E H E N S I V E E X A M I N AT I O N
INSTITUTION Portage Learning (Geneva College) PROGRAM Pre-Nursing / Health Sciences
COURSE CODE BIOD 171 COURSE TITLE Essential Microbiology
ACADEMIC YEAR EXAM TITLE BIOD 171 Final Exam
TOTAL QUESTIONS 100 Questions FORMAT Multiple Choice / True-False /
Select All That Apply
EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
▸ Select the single best answer unless "Select all that apply" is specified.
▸ Questions randomized from source material per Component 16.
▸ Topics: Macromolecules, Cell Biology, Metabolism, Microscopy, Gram Staining, Media Types, Virology,
Pathogenic Bacteria.
▸ Correct answers and rationales appear below each question.
ESSENTIAL MICROBIOLOGY — FINAL EXAMINATION Questions 1 – 100
1. True or False: A virus is considered a microorganism.
A. True
B. False
CORRECT ANSWER B — False
RATIONALE Viruses are not living and as such are not considered microorganisms. Viruses can
be classified as microbes, a more general term that includes microorganisms and
viruses.
,2. What is the smallest biological unit of life?
A. An atom
B. A cell
C. A molecule
D. A tissue
CORRECT ANSWER B — A cell
RATIONALE The cell is the fundamental unit of life — the smallest entity that can
independently carry out all processes necessary for life.
3. What are the four main types of macromolecules found in cells?
A. Proteins, Lipids, Nucleic Acids, Carbohydrates
B. Enzymes, Hormones, Vitamins, Minerals
C. Water, Salts, Acids, Bases
D. ATP, DNA, RNA, cAMP
CORRECT ANSWER A — Proteins, Lipids, Nucleic Acids, Carbohydrates
RATIONALE These four classes are the essential building blocks of all cells. Proteins (amino
acid polymers), lipids (fats/phospholipids), nucleic acids (DNA/RNA), and
carbohydrates (sugars/polysaccharides).
4. How many different types of amino acids are available from which to make proteins?
A. 10
B. 20
C. 30
D. 64
CORRECT ANSWER B — 20
RATIONALE There are 20 standard amino acids encoded by the genetic code. Nine are
essential (must come from diet) and eleven are non-essential (can be
synthesized).
,5. Define an essential amino acid.
A. Produced in excess by the body
B. Cannot be produced by the human body; must be obtained from the environment (e.g.,
food)
C. Found only in bacterial proteins
D. Used only during embryonic development
CORRECT ANSWER B — Must be obtained from diet; cannot be synthesized by the human body
RATIONALE Essential amino acids cannot be made by the body at adequate rates and must be
supplied through dietary intake.
6. What are the two major types of nucleic acids and their roles?
A. mRNA and tRNA — both only for protein synthesis
B. DNA contains hereditary information; RNA deciphers DNA to synthesize proteins
C. ATP and GTP — energy carriers
D. Purines and pyrimidines — structural only
CORRECT ANSWER B — DNA stores hereditary information; RNA deciphers and uses it for
protein synthesis
RATIONALE DNA carries the genetic blueprint; RNA transcribes and translates this information
to direct protein production.
7. Complete the complementary strand: 3' GGTCATCG 5' → 5' _________ 3'
A. CCAGTAGC
B. CCUGUAGC
C. GGTACTGC
D. CCATCAGC
CORRECT ANSWER A — 5' CCAGTAGC 3' (2 H-bonds between A-T, 3 between G-C)
RATIONALE A pairs with T (2 bonds); G pairs with C (3 bonds). Strands run antiparallel. G→C,
G→C, T→A, C→G, A→T, T→A, C→G, G→C.
, 8. The plasma membrane (select all that apply):
A. Only restricts movement into the cell
B. Is often a bilayer comprised of lipids
C. Cannot prevent essential nutrients from escaping
D. Contains hydrophobic tails pointing inward
CORRECT ANSWER B and D — Lipid bilayer with hydrophobic tails inward
RATIONALE The phospholipid bilayer has hydrophilic heads outward and hydrophobic tails
inward, forming a selectively permeable barrier.
9. Carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen form what primary macromolecule? Example?
A. Proteins — e.g., insulin
B. Carbohydrates — e.g., glucose, starch, cellulose
C. Nucleic acids — e.g., DNA
D. Lipids — e.g., cholesterol
CORRECT ANSWER B — Carbohydrates (CH₂O)ₙ; examples: glucose, sucrose, starch, glycogen
RATIONALE Carbohydrates have the general formula (CH₂O)ₙ. Common examples include
sugars (glucose, fructose), starches, and structural polysaccharides (cellulose,
chitin).
10. True or False: Eukaryotic cells do not have a nucleus.
A. True
B. False
CORRECT ANSWER B — False (Eukaryotic cells DO have a nucleus)
RATIONALE The defining feature of eukaryotic cells is the presence of a membrane-bound
nucleus. Prokaryotes lack a nucleus.
LANIF · 171 DOIB
★ ★
P A Division of Geneva College
EST. 2012
ONLINE COURSES FOR COLLEGE CREDIT
BIOD 171 Final Exam
E SS E N T I A L M I C R O B I O LO G Y — CO M P R E H E N S I V E E X A M I N AT I O N
INSTITUTION Portage Learning (Geneva College) PROGRAM Pre-Nursing / Health Sciences
COURSE CODE BIOD 171 COURSE TITLE Essential Microbiology
ACADEMIC YEAR EXAM TITLE BIOD 171 Final Exam
TOTAL QUESTIONS 100 Questions FORMAT Multiple Choice / True-False /
Select All That Apply
EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
▸ Select the single best answer unless "Select all that apply" is specified.
▸ Questions randomized from source material per Component 16.
▸ Topics: Macromolecules, Cell Biology, Metabolism, Microscopy, Gram Staining, Media Types, Virology,
Pathogenic Bacteria.
▸ Correct answers and rationales appear below each question.
ESSENTIAL MICROBIOLOGY — FINAL EXAMINATION Questions 1 – 100
1. True or False: A virus is considered a microorganism.
A. True
B. False
CORRECT ANSWER B — False
RATIONALE Viruses are not living and as such are not considered microorganisms. Viruses can
be classified as microbes, a more general term that includes microorganisms and
viruses.
,2. What is the smallest biological unit of life?
A. An atom
B. A cell
C. A molecule
D. A tissue
CORRECT ANSWER B — A cell
RATIONALE The cell is the fundamental unit of life — the smallest entity that can
independently carry out all processes necessary for life.
3. What are the four main types of macromolecules found in cells?
A. Proteins, Lipids, Nucleic Acids, Carbohydrates
B. Enzymes, Hormones, Vitamins, Minerals
C. Water, Salts, Acids, Bases
D. ATP, DNA, RNA, cAMP
CORRECT ANSWER A — Proteins, Lipids, Nucleic Acids, Carbohydrates
RATIONALE These four classes are the essential building blocks of all cells. Proteins (amino
acid polymers), lipids (fats/phospholipids), nucleic acids (DNA/RNA), and
carbohydrates (sugars/polysaccharides).
4. How many different types of amino acids are available from which to make proteins?
A. 10
B. 20
C. 30
D. 64
CORRECT ANSWER B — 20
RATIONALE There are 20 standard amino acids encoded by the genetic code. Nine are
essential (must come from diet) and eleven are non-essential (can be
synthesized).
,5. Define an essential amino acid.
A. Produced in excess by the body
B. Cannot be produced by the human body; must be obtained from the environment (e.g.,
food)
C. Found only in bacterial proteins
D. Used only during embryonic development
CORRECT ANSWER B — Must be obtained from diet; cannot be synthesized by the human body
RATIONALE Essential amino acids cannot be made by the body at adequate rates and must be
supplied through dietary intake.
6. What are the two major types of nucleic acids and their roles?
A. mRNA and tRNA — both only for protein synthesis
B. DNA contains hereditary information; RNA deciphers DNA to synthesize proteins
C. ATP and GTP — energy carriers
D. Purines and pyrimidines — structural only
CORRECT ANSWER B — DNA stores hereditary information; RNA deciphers and uses it for
protein synthesis
RATIONALE DNA carries the genetic blueprint; RNA transcribes and translates this information
to direct protein production.
7. Complete the complementary strand: 3' GGTCATCG 5' → 5' _________ 3'
A. CCAGTAGC
B. CCUGUAGC
C. GGTACTGC
D. CCATCAGC
CORRECT ANSWER A — 5' CCAGTAGC 3' (2 H-bonds between A-T, 3 between G-C)
RATIONALE A pairs with T (2 bonds); G pairs with C (3 bonds). Strands run antiparallel. G→C,
G→C, T→A, C→G, A→T, T→A, C→G, G→C.
, 8. The plasma membrane (select all that apply):
A. Only restricts movement into the cell
B. Is often a bilayer comprised of lipids
C. Cannot prevent essential nutrients from escaping
D. Contains hydrophobic tails pointing inward
CORRECT ANSWER B and D — Lipid bilayer with hydrophobic tails inward
RATIONALE The phospholipid bilayer has hydrophilic heads outward and hydrophobic tails
inward, forming a selectively permeable barrier.
9. Carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen form what primary macromolecule? Example?
A. Proteins — e.g., insulin
B. Carbohydrates — e.g., glucose, starch, cellulose
C. Nucleic acids — e.g., DNA
D. Lipids — e.g., cholesterol
CORRECT ANSWER B — Carbohydrates (CH₂O)ₙ; examples: glucose, sucrose, starch, glycogen
RATIONALE Carbohydrates have the general formula (CH₂O)ₙ. Common examples include
sugars (glucose, fructose), starches, and structural polysaccharides (cellulose,
chitin).
10. True or False: Eukaryotic cells do not have a nucleus.
A. True
B. False
CORRECT ANSWER B — False (Eukaryotic cells DO have a nucleus)
RATIONALE The defining feature of eukaryotic cells is the presence of a membrane-bound
nucleus. Prokaryotes lack a nucleus.
