BIOD 171 Essential Microbiology Modules 1–6 Exam & Final
Exam | Latest Update 2026/2027 | 200 Practice Questions
with Verified Answers & Explanations | Portage Learning /
Geneva College Complete Q&A Guide | A+ Graded
SECTION 1: MODULE 1 – INTRODUCTION TO MICROBIOLOGY, CELL STRUCTURE & CLASSIFICATION
(Questions 135)
1. True or False: A virus is considered a microorganism.
A) True
B) False
Answer: B) False
Explanation: Viruses are not considered living organisms and therefore are not classified as
microorganisms. However, they can be classified as microbes, a more general term that includes both
microorganisms and viruses.
2. What is the smallest biological unit of life?
A) Atom
B) Molecule
C) Cell
D) Tissue
Answer: C) Cell
,Explanation: The cell is the smallest biological unit of life. All living organisms are composed of cells,
which are the fundamental structural and functional units of life.
3. At a generalized level, all cells are comprised of which of the following macromolecules? (Select all
that apply)
A) Proteins
B) Lipids
C) Nucleic acids
D) Polysaccharides
Answer: A, B, C, D (All of the above)
Explanation: All cells are composed of four major types of macromolecules: proteins, lipids, nucleic
acids, and polysaccharides (carbohydrates).
4. Animalia, Plantae, Fungi, and Protista are all classifications under what type of organism?
A) Bacteria
B) Eukarya
C) Archaea
D) Virus
Answer: B) Eukarya
,Explanation: Only Eukarya contains animals, plants, fungi, and protists. These are all eukaryotic
organisms, meaning they have cells with a nucleus and membranebound organelles.
5. True or False: All multicellular microorganisms classified as Animalia are autotrophic.
A) True
B) False
Answer: B) False
Explanation: Animals (Animalia) are heterotrophic, meaning they obtain their energy by consuming
other organisms. They cannot produce their own food through photosynthesis like autotrophs.
6. Microorganisms classified as __________ obtain most of their energy by converting light energy into
chemical energy.
A) Animalia
B) Fungi
C) Plantae
D) Protista
Answer: C) Plantae
Explanation: Plants (Plantae) are photosynthetic autotrophs that convert light energy into chemical
energy through the process of photosynthesis.
, 7. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of eukaryotic cells?
A) Membranebound nucleus
B) Membranebound organelles
C) 70S ribosomes
D) 80S ribosomes
Answer: C) 70S ribosomes
Explanation: Eukaryotic cells contain 80S ribosomes, while prokaryotic cells contain 70S ribosomes.
Eukaryotic cells are characterized by a membranebound nucleus and membranebound organelles.
8. Which domain contains organisms that live in extreme environments such as hot springs and highsalt
environments?
A) Bacteria
B) Eukarya
C) Archaea
D) Protista
Answer: C) Archaea
Explanation: Archaea are known for their ability to survive in extreme environments, including high
temperatures, high salinity, and extreme pH conditions. They are prokaryotic organisms distinct from
bacteria.
Exam | Latest Update 2026/2027 | 200 Practice Questions
with Verified Answers & Explanations | Portage Learning /
Geneva College Complete Q&A Guide | A+ Graded
SECTION 1: MODULE 1 – INTRODUCTION TO MICROBIOLOGY, CELL STRUCTURE & CLASSIFICATION
(Questions 135)
1. True or False: A virus is considered a microorganism.
A) True
B) False
Answer: B) False
Explanation: Viruses are not considered living organisms and therefore are not classified as
microorganisms. However, they can be classified as microbes, a more general term that includes both
microorganisms and viruses.
2. What is the smallest biological unit of life?
A) Atom
B) Molecule
C) Cell
D) Tissue
Answer: C) Cell
,Explanation: The cell is the smallest biological unit of life. All living organisms are composed of cells,
which are the fundamental structural and functional units of life.
3. At a generalized level, all cells are comprised of which of the following macromolecules? (Select all
that apply)
A) Proteins
B) Lipids
C) Nucleic acids
D) Polysaccharides
Answer: A, B, C, D (All of the above)
Explanation: All cells are composed of four major types of macromolecules: proteins, lipids, nucleic
acids, and polysaccharides (carbohydrates).
4. Animalia, Plantae, Fungi, and Protista are all classifications under what type of organism?
A) Bacteria
B) Eukarya
C) Archaea
D) Virus
Answer: B) Eukarya
,Explanation: Only Eukarya contains animals, plants, fungi, and protists. These are all eukaryotic
organisms, meaning they have cells with a nucleus and membranebound organelles.
5. True or False: All multicellular microorganisms classified as Animalia are autotrophic.
A) True
B) False
Answer: B) False
Explanation: Animals (Animalia) are heterotrophic, meaning they obtain their energy by consuming
other organisms. They cannot produce their own food through photosynthesis like autotrophs.
6. Microorganisms classified as __________ obtain most of their energy by converting light energy into
chemical energy.
A) Animalia
B) Fungi
C) Plantae
D) Protista
Answer: C) Plantae
Explanation: Plants (Plantae) are photosynthetic autotrophs that convert light energy into chemical
energy through the process of photosynthesis.
, 7. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of eukaryotic cells?
A) Membranebound nucleus
B) Membranebound organelles
C) 70S ribosomes
D) 80S ribosomes
Answer: C) 70S ribosomes
Explanation: Eukaryotic cells contain 80S ribosomes, while prokaryotic cells contain 70S ribosomes.
Eukaryotic cells are characterized by a membranebound nucleus and membranebound organelles.
8. Which domain contains organisms that live in extreme environments such as hot springs and highsalt
environments?
A) Bacteria
B) Eukarya
C) Archaea
D) Protista
Answer: C) Archaea
Explanation: Archaea are known for their ability to survive in extreme environments, including high
temperatures, high salinity, and extreme pH conditions. They are prokaryotic organisms distinct from
bacteria.
