EXAM 2 MICROBIOLOGY QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS 2025/2026
A pathogen would most accurately be described as a - CORRECT ANSWER -parasite
A _____ derives its nutrients and energy from the organic from the organic matter of dead
organisms, whereas a ______ lives in or on another living organism and derives its nutrients and
energy from that living organism. - CORRECT ANSWER -saprobe;parasite
Most microorganisms on earth can only live and survive in habitats that are similar to human
body conditions.
True or False - CORRECT ANSWER -False
Select the physical factors below that can affect microbial growth. - CORRECT ANSWER -
Temperature, Radiation, Barometric Pressure, Extreme Drying/Dehydration
What term describes an organism that lacks superoxide dismutase and catalase enzymes to test
your understanding of the role of these enzymes in microbial growth - CORRECT ANSWER -
obligate anaerobe
In a commensal relationship, the commensal benefits but the cohabitant is neither harmed nor
benefited
True or False - CORRECT ANSWER -True
What are characteristics of biofilms that differentiate them from independent-living bacteria? -
CORRECT ANSWER -Microorganisms participate in quorum sensing, microorganisms exist as part
of a diverse interdependent community
Bacterial biofilms stimulate the immune system differently than free (planktonic) bacteria.
, True or False - CORRECT ANSWER -True
Most bacteria increase their numbers by - CORRECT ANSWER -binary fission
Binary fission results in four daughter cells from one parent cell
True or False - CORRECT ANSWER -False
After binary fission, daughter cells will differ genetically
True or False - CORRECT ANSWER -False
The time required for one complete cycle of binary fission is known as the ______ time or
generation time - CORRECT ANSWER -doubling
Bacteria have an average generation time of 24 hours
True or False - CORRECT ANSWER -False
The time that it takes for freshly inoculated agar culture to develop visible colonies is principally
governed by the generation time of the inoculated species
True or False - CORRECT ANSWER -True
What phase of the bacterial growth curve during which a bacterial population has the briefest
doubling time - CORRECT ANSWER -Exponential growth phase
A closed culture system is used to determine a population growth curve
True or False - CORRECT ANSWER -True
CORRECT ANSWERS 2025/2026
A pathogen would most accurately be described as a - CORRECT ANSWER -parasite
A _____ derives its nutrients and energy from the organic from the organic matter of dead
organisms, whereas a ______ lives in or on another living organism and derives its nutrients and
energy from that living organism. - CORRECT ANSWER -saprobe;parasite
Most microorganisms on earth can only live and survive in habitats that are similar to human
body conditions.
True or False - CORRECT ANSWER -False
Select the physical factors below that can affect microbial growth. - CORRECT ANSWER -
Temperature, Radiation, Barometric Pressure, Extreme Drying/Dehydration
What term describes an organism that lacks superoxide dismutase and catalase enzymes to test
your understanding of the role of these enzymes in microbial growth - CORRECT ANSWER -
obligate anaerobe
In a commensal relationship, the commensal benefits but the cohabitant is neither harmed nor
benefited
True or False - CORRECT ANSWER -True
What are characteristics of biofilms that differentiate them from independent-living bacteria? -
CORRECT ANSWER -Microorganisms participate in quorum sensing, microorganisms exist as part
of a diverse interdependent community
Bacterial biofilms stimulate the immune system differently than free (planktonic) bacteria.
, True or False - CORRECT ANSWER -True
Most bacteria increase their numbers by - CORRECT ANSWER -binary fission
Binary fission results in four daughter cells from one parent cell
True or False - CORRECT ANSWER -False
After binary fission, daughter cells will differ genetically
True or False - CORRECT ANSWER -False
The time required for one complete cycle of binary fission is known as the ______ time or
generation time - CORRECT ANSWER -doubling
Bacteria have an average generation time of 24 hours
True or False - CORRECT ANSWER -False
The time that it takes for freshly inoculated agar culture to develop visible colonies is principally
governed by the generation time of the inoculated species
True or False - CORRECT ANSWER -True
What phase of the bacterial growth curve during which a bacterial population has the briefest
doubling time - CORRECT ANSWER -Exponential growth phase
A closed culture system is used to determine a population growth curve
True or False - CORRECT ANSWER -True
