,BIOD101/BIOD 101 Module 6 Exam | Essential Biology I with
Lab | Portage Learning | Q & A | 2026/2027 Edition (PDF)
1. Prokaryotic cells store their genetic material in which of the following locations?
A) A membrane-bound nucleus
B) A non-membrane-bound nucleoid region
C) The mitochondria
D) The Golgi apparatus
Correct Answer: A non-membrane-bound nucleoid region.
Rationale: Prokaryotic cells lack a membrane-bound nucleus. Their genetic material is concentrated in a
region of the cytoplasm called the nucleoid, which is not enclosed by a membrane. This is a defining
feature that distinguishes prokaryotes from eukaryotes.
2. Which of the following is a similarity between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?
A) Both contain a membrane-bound nucleus
B) Both contain membrane-bound organelles
C) Both contain ribosomes for protein synthesis
D) Both are always single-celled
Correct Answer: Both contain ribosomes for protein synthesis.
Rationale: Both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells contain ribosomes, which are essential for protein
synthesis. Both also have a plasma membrane, cytosol, and chromosomes containing DNA. However,
only eukaryotes have a membrane-bound nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.
3. During the Gram-stain procedure, Gram-positive bacteria retain a dye that is which color?
A) Pink or red
B) Purple
,C) Green
D) Yellow
Correct Answer: Purple.
Rationale: Gram-positive bacteria have a thick layer of peptidoglycan in their cell walls, which retains the
crystal violet-iodine complex during the alcohol rinse, making them appear purple. Gram-negative
bacteria have a thin layer and are decolorized, appearing pink or red after the counterstain.
4. Which of the following best describes the role of the cell wall in a bacterial cell?
A) To store genetic material
B) To produce energy
C) To provide shape and protection against environmental stressors
D) To regulate the passage of substances
Correct Answer: To provide shape and protection against environmental stressors.
Rationale: The bacterial cell wall is responsible for the shape of a cell and provides protection against
environmental stressors. It is a rigid structure that maintains cell integrity, especially against osmotic
pressure.
5. Which of the following accessory structures facilitates movement and attachment in bacteria?
A) Nucleoid
B) Ribosomes
C) Flagella
D) Chromosomes
Correct Answer: Flagella.
, Rationale: Flagella are whiplike structures that facilitate movement in bacteria. Other accessory
structures include capsules and fimbriae, which aid in attachment.
6. Spherical-shaped bacterial cells arranged in chains are best described as which of the following?
A) Staphylococci
B) Diplococci
C) Streptococci
D) Bacilli
Correct Answer: Streptococci.
Rationale: Spherical cells (cocci) arranged in chains are described as streptococci. Staphylococci are
clusters, diplococci are pairs, and bacilli are rod-shaped.
7. What is the function of a bacterial capsule or glycocalyx?
A) To store genetic material
B) To synthesize proteins
C) To provide a mechanism of adhesion and protection
D) To produce ATP
Correct Answer: To provide a mechanism of adhesion and protection.
Rationale: A capsule is a sticky layer composed of thick layers of proteins and polysaccharides. It
provides a mechanism of adhesion to host cells and other bacteria and can protect the pathogen from
host defenses.
8. Which of the following describes fimbriae?
A) Whiplike structures for movement
B) Short, thin, hairlike appendages that attach to surfaces
C) Thick layers of polysaccharides for protection
Lab | Portage Learning | Q & A | 2026/2027 Edition (PDF)
1. Prokaryotic cells store their genetic material in which of the following locations?
A) A membrane-bound nucleus
B) A non-membrane-bound nucleoid region
C) The mitochondria
D) The Golgi apparatus
Correct Answer: A non-membrane-bound nucleoid region.
Rationale: Prokaryotic cells lack a membrane-bound nucleus. Their genetic material is concentrated in a
region of the cytoplasm called the nucleoid, which is not enclosed by a membrane. This is a defining
feature that distinguishes prokaryotes from eukaryotes.
2. Which of the following is a similarity between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?
A) Both contain a membrane-bound nucleus
B) Both contain membrane-bound organelles
C) Both contain ribosomes for protein synthesis
D) Both are always single-celled
Correct Answer: Both contain ribosomes for protein synthesis.
Rationale: Both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells contain ribosomes, which are essential for protein
synthesis. Both also have a plasma membrane, cytosol, and chromosomes containing DNA. However,
only eukaryotes have a membrane-bound nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.
3. During the Gram-stain procedure, Gram-positive bacteria retain a dye that is which color?
A) Pink or red
B) Purple
,C) Green
D) Yellow
Correct Answer: Purple.
Rationale: Gram-positive bacteria have a thick layer of peptidoglycan in their cell walls, which retains the
crystal violet-iodine complex during the alcohol rinse, making them appear purple. Gram-negative
bacteria have a thin layer and are decolorized, appearing pink or red after the counterstain.
4. Which of the following best describes the role of the cell wall in a bacterial cell?
A) To store genetic material
B) To produce energy
C) To provide shape and protection against environmental stressors
D) To regulate the passage of substances
Correct Answer: To provide shape and protection against environmental stressors.
Rationale: The bacterial cell wall is responsible for the shape of a cell and provides protection against
environmental stressors. It is a rigid structure that maintains cell integrity, especially against osmotic
pressure.
5. Which of the following accessory structures facilitates movement and attachment in bacteria?
A) Nucleoid
B) Ribosomes
C) Flagella
D) Chromosomes
Correct Answer: Flagella.
, Rationale: Flagella are whiplike structures that facilitate movement in bacteria. Other accessory
structures include capsules and fimbriae, which aid in attachment.
6. Spherical-shaped bacterial cells arranged in chains are best described as which of the following?
A) Staphylococci
B) Diplococci
C) Streptococci
D) Bacilli
Correct Answer: Streptococci.
Rationale: Spherical cells (cocci) arranged in chains are described as streptococci. Staphylococci are
clusters, diplococci are pairs, and bacilli are rod-shaped.
7. What is the function of a bacterial capsule or glycocalyx?
A) To store genetic material
B) To synthesize proteins
C) To provide a mechanism of adhesion and protection
D) To produce ATP
Correct Answer: To provide a mechanism of adhesion and protection.
Rationale: A capsule is a sticky layer composed of thick layers of proteins and polysaccharides. It
provides a mechanism of adhesion to host cells and other bacteria and can protect the pathogen from
host defenses.
8. Which of the following describes fimbriae?
A) Whiplike structures for movement
B) Short, thin, hairlike appendages that attach to surfaces
C) Thick layers of polysaccharides for protection
