1
Chapter 1 – Microbial Word
1.1 The Microbes
EASY
1. Which of the following is a reason that Microbiology is a unique part of the study of life?
a. microorganisms are too small to be seen with the naked eye
b. microorganisms are our planet’s dominant life form
c. microorganisms live in and on other macroorganisms like humans
d. microorganisms occupy most ecological niches on Earth.
E. all of these are correct reasons.
MEDIUM
2. Named in order of increasing level of complexity, the 3 major groups of microorganisms
are ________________.
A. noncellular, prokaryotes and eukaryotes
b. viruses, bacteria, and protozoa
c. prions, viruses, and bacteria
d. eukaryotes, prokaryotes and viruses
HARD
3. Which of the following statements BEST describes the major difference between the
noncellular infectious particles?
A. Viruses have either DNA or RNA, viroids have only RNA, and prions have neither DNA or
RNA
b.Viruses have both DNA and RNA, viroids have only RNA and prions have proteins
c. Viruses have either DNA or RNA, Viroids have only DNA and prions have proteins and
RNA
d. Viruses have both DNA and RNA, viroids have only RNA and prions have only DNA
MEDIUM
4. The majority of prokaryotes have
A. presence of internal structures that lack membranes, and have a plasma cell membrane
and cell wall
b. presence of membrane-bound organelles such as nucleus, have a plasma cell membrane
and cell wall
c. no internal structures, but have a plasma cell membrane and cell walls
d. presence of internal structures that lack membranes, and have a plasma cell membrane
but have no cell walls
, 2
EASY
5. Match the prokaryote structure or characteristic with its function:
Plasma membrane C a. small circles of DNA with genes not essential for life
Nucleoid D b. uncomplicated cell replication
Plasmids A c. selectively determines what enters or leaves the cell
Binary fission B d. large loop of DNA with genes essential for life
EASY
6. Size matters in Microbiology. As described in the text, what is the correct order of
increasing size of these organisms?
A. Rabies virus, Streptococcus pneumoniae bacterium, Trypanosoma brucei protozoan
b. Streptococcus pneumoniae bacterium, Rabies virus, Trypanosoma brucei protozoan
c. Streptococcus pneumoniae bacterium, Trypanosoma brucei protozoan, Rabies virus
d. Trypanosoma brucei protozoan, Streptococcus pneumoniae bacterium, Rabies virus
MEDIUM
7. Members of the Archaea
a. are ancient Eukaryotes that have many similarities with Prokaryotes
b. live in diverse and harsh environments where other living cells would perish
c. are thought to have been the first forms of cellular life on Earth
d. include algae, fungi, and helminthes
E. b and c are correct
EASY
8. Microbes are the dominant life form on Planet Earth because
a. at an estimated 5x1030 bacteria are the most abundant life form
b. microbial species are estimated to number between 10 million and 1 billion
c. microbes occupy all ecological niches on the planet
d. all microbes are Eukaryote cells
E. a, b, and c are correct
MEDIUM
9. Match the Eukaryote organism with its description
Eukaryote Description
Fungi D a. carry out photosynthesis
Algae A b. animal-like characteristic of locomotion
Protozoa B c. eggs and juvenile stages are viewed with a microscope
Helminths C d. Cell walls made of chitin
HARD
10. Considering the fact that there is more diversity among Eukaryote organisms such as
protozoa, fungi, algae and helminths than there is among Prokaryotes such as bacteria and
Archaea, why are “microorganisms” considered the dominant life form?
a. there are more species of microorganisms than multicellular organisms
Chapter 1 – Microbial Word
1.1 The Microbes
EASY
1. Which of the following is a reason that Microbiology is a unique part of the study of life?
a. microorganisms are too small to be seen with the naked eye
b. microorganisms are our planet’s dominant life form
c. microorganisms live in and on other macroorganisms like humans
d. microorganisms occupy most ecological niches on Earth.
E. all of these are correct reasons.
MEDIUM
2. Named in order of increasing level of complexity, the 3 major groups of microorganisms
are ________________.
A. noncellular, prokaryotes and eukaryotes
b. viruses, bacteria, and protozoa
c. prions, viruses, and bacteria
d. eukaryotes, prokaryotes and viruses
HARD
3. Which of the following statements BEST describes the major difference between the
noncellular infectious particles?
A. Viruses have either DNA or RNA, viroids have only RNA, and prions have neither DNA or
RNA
b.Viruses have both DNA and RNA, viroids have only RNA and prions have proteins
c. Viruses have either DNA or RNA, Viroids have only DNA and prions have proteins and
RNA
d. Viruses have both DNA and RNA, viroids have only RNA and prions have only DNA
MEDIUM
4. The majority of prokaryotes have
A. presence of internal structures that lack membranes, and have a plasma cell membrane
and cell wall
b. presence of membrane-bound organelles such as nucleus, have a plasma cell membrane
and cell wall
c. no internal structures, but have a plasma cell membrane and cell walls
d. presence of internal structures that lack membranes, and have a plasma cell membrane
but have no cell walls
, 2
EASY
5. Match the prokaryote structure or characteristic with its function:
Plasma membrane C a. small circles of DNA with genes not essential for life
Nucleoid D b. uncomplicated cell replication
Plasmids A c. selectively determines what enters or leaves the cell
Binary fission B d. large loop of DNA with genes essential for life
EASY
6. Size matters in Microbiology. As described in the text, what is the correct order of
increasing size of these organisms?
A. Rabies virus, Streptococcus pneumoniae bacterium, Trypanosoma brucei protozoan
b. Streptococcus pneumoniae bacterium, Rabies virus, Trypanosoma brucei protozoan
c. Streptococcus pneumoniae bacterium, Trypanosoma brucei protozoan, Rabies virus
d. Trypanosoma brucei protozoan, Streptococcus pneumoniae bacterium, Rabies virus
MEDIUM
7. Members of the Archaea
a. are ancient Eukaryotes that have many similarities with Prokaryotes
b. live in diverse and harsh environments where other living cells would perish
c. are thought to have been the first forms of cellular life on Earth
d. include algae, fungi, and helminthes
E. b and c are correct
EASY
8. Microbes are the dominant life form on Planet Earth because
a. at an estimated 5x1030 bacteria are the most abundant life form
b. microbial species are estimated to number between 10 million and 1 billion
c. microbes occupy all ecological niches on the planet
d. all microbes are Eukaryote cells
E. a, b, and c are correct
MEDIUM
9. Match the Eukaryote organism with its description
Eukaryote Description
Fungi D a. carry out photosynthesis
Algae A b. animal-like characteristic of locomotion
Protozoa B c. eggs and juvenile stages are viewed with a microscope
Helminths C d. Cell walls made of chitin
HARD
10. Considering the fact that there is more diversity among Eukaryote organisms such as
protozoa, fungi, algae and helminths than there is among Prokaryotes such as bacteria and
Archaea, why are “microorganisms” considered the dominant life form?
a. there are more species of microorganisms than multicellular organisms
