BIOD 171 Comprehensive Final Exam 2026 | Portage
Learning | Modules 1–8 High-Yield Verified Q&As &
Review
150 Practice Questions with Answers & Detailed Rationales
Portage Learning | 2026/2027 Edition | Graded A+
Instructions
This comprehensive test bank contains 150 questions covering all modules for the BIOD 171
Microbiology Final Exam at Portage Learning. Questions are organized by module and include
verified correct answers with detailed rationales based on course materials .
MODULE 1: CELL BIOLOGY & MACROMOLECULES (Questions 1-25)
Question 1
True or False: A virus is considered a microorganism.
A) True
B) False
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Viruses are not living and as such are not considered microorganisms. Viruses can,
however, be classified as microbes, a more general term that includes microorganisms and
viruses .
Question 2
What is the smallest biological unit of life?
A) A molecule
B) A cell
,C) A tissue
D) An organ
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The cell is the smallest biological unit of life. All living organisms are composed of
one or more cells .
Question 3
At a generalized level, all cells are comprised of what?
A) Nucleotides
B) Amino acids
C) Macromolecules
D) Minerals
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: All cells are comprised of macromolecules: Proteins, Lipids, Nucleic Acids, and
Polysaccharides .
Question 4
What are the four main types of macromolecules found in cells?
A) Proteins, Lipids, Nucleic Acids, Carbohydrates
B) Proteins, Fats, DNA, RNA
C) Amino acids, Sugars, Fats, Nucleotides
D) Enzymes, Hormones, Vitamins, Minerals
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The four main types of macromolecules are Proteins, Lipids, Nucleic Acids, and
Carbohydrates (Polysaccharides) .
Question 5
How many different types of amino acids are available from which to make proteins?
A) 10
,B) 15
C) 20
D) 25
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: There are 20 different types of amino acids available from which to make proteins.
Nine of these are classified as essential amino acids that cannot be produced by the human
body .
Question 6
Define an essential amino acid.
A) An amino acid that can be produced by the body
B) An amino acid that cannot be produced by the human body and must be taken in from the
environment
C) An amino acid that is only found in plants
D) An amino acid that is only found in animal products
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An essential amino acid cannot be produced by the human body and must be
obtained from the environment through alternative sources such as food .
Question 7
What are the two major types of nucleic acids and their roles?
A) DNA and RNA; DNA contains hereditary information, RNA deciphers it to synthesize proteins
B) mRNA and tRNA; both are involved in protein synthesis
C) DNA and mRNA; both carry genetic information
D) rRNA and tRNA; both are found in the ribosome
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: DNA contains vast hereditary information and is responsible for inheritable
characteristics. RNA is responsible for deciphering hereditary information in DNA and using it to
synthesize proteins .
, Question 8
Where can the two major types of nucleic acids be found in the cell?
A) Both are found in the cytoplasm
B) DNA is found in the nucleus; RNA is found in the nucleus but can leave
C) Both are found in the nucleus only
D) DNA is found in the cytoplasm; RNA is found in the nucleus
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: DNA is found in the nucleus and cannot leave. RNA is found in the nucleus but is
capable of leaving the nucleus .
Question 9
Complete the following DNA strand and indicate how many bonds are formed for each
complementary pair: 3' GGTCATCG 5'
A) 5' CCAGTAGC 3'; A-T pairs form 2 bonds, G-C pairs form 3 bonds
B) 5' CCAGTAGC 3'; A-T pairs form 3 bonds, G-C pairs form 2 bonds
C) 5' CCAGCTAGC 3'; A-T pairs form 2 bonds, G-C pairs form 3 bonds
D) 5' CCAGTCG 3'; A-T pairs form 2 bonds, G-C pairs form 3 bonds
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The complementary strand is 5' CCAGTAGC 3'. A-T pairings result in 2 hydrogen
bonds; C-G pairings result in 3 hydrogen bonds .
Question 10
Carbon, Hydrogen, and Oxygen atoms come together to form what primary macromolecule?
Give an example.
A) Proteins; Insulin
B) Polysaccharides; Sucrose
C) Nucleic acids; DNA
D) Lipids; Cholesterol
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Carbon, Hydrogen, and Oxygen atoms come together to form polysaccharides.
Examples include sucrose, glucose, and cellulose .
Learning | Modules 1–8 High-Yield Verified Q&As &
Review
150 Practice Questions with Answers & Detailed Rationales
Portage Learning | 2026/2027 Edition | Graded A+
Instructions
This comprehensive test bank contains 150 questions covering all modules for the BIOD 171
Microbiology Final Exam at Portage Learning. Questions are organized by module and include
verified correct answers with detailed rationales based on course materials .
MODULE 1: CELL BIOLOGY & MACROMOLECULES (Questions 1-25)
Question 1
True or False: A virus is considered a microorganism.
A) True
B) False
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Viruses are not living and as such are not considered microorganisms. Viruses can,
however, be classified as microbes, a more general term that includes microorganisms and
viruses .
Question 2
What is the smallest biological unit of life?
A) A molecule
B) A cell
,C) A tissue
D) An organ
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The cell is the smallest biological unit of life. All living organisms are composed of
one or more cells .
Question 3
At a generalized level, all cells are comprised of what?
A) Nucleotides
B) Amino acids
C) Macromolecules
D) Minerals
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: All cells are comprised of macromolecules: Proteins, Lipids, Nucleic Acids, and
Polysaccharides .
Question 4
What are the four main types of macromolecules found in cells?
A) Proteins, Lipids, Nucleic Acids, Carbohydrates
B) Proteins, Fats, DNA, RNA
C) Amino acids, Sugars, Fats, Nucleotides
D) Enzymes, Hormones, Vitamins, Minerals
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The four main types of macromolecules are Proteins, Lipids, Nucleic Acids, and
Carbohydrates (Polysaccharides) .
Question 5
How many different types of amino acids are available from which to make proteins?
A) 10
,B) 15
C) 20
D) 25
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: There are 20 different types of amino acids available from which to make proteins.
Nine of these are classified as essential amino acids that cannot be produced by the human
body .
Question 6
Define an essential amino acid.
A) An amino acid that can be produced by the body
B) An amino acid that cannot be produced by the human body and must be taken in from the
environment
C) An amino acid that is only found in plants
D) An amino acid that is only found in animal products
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An essential amino acid cannot be produced by the human body and must be
obtained from the environment through alternative sources such as food .
Question 7
What are the two major types of nucleic acids and their roles?
A) DNA and RNA; DNA contains hereditary information, RNA deciphers it to synthesize proteins
B) mRNA and tRNA; both are involved in protein synthesis
C) DNA and mRNA; both carry genetic information
D) rRNA and tRNA; both are found in the ribosome
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: DNA contains vast hereditary information and is responsible for inheritable
characteristics. RNA is responsible for deciphering hereditary information in DNA and using it to
synthesize proteins .
, Question 8
Where can the two major types of nucleic acids be found in the cell?
A) Both are found in the cytoplasm
B) DNA is found in the nucleus; RNA is found in the nucleus but can leave
C) Both are found in the nucleus only
D) DNA is found in the cytoplasm; RNA is found in the nucleus
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: DNA is found in the nucleus and cannot leave. RNA is found in the nucleus but is
capable of leaving the nucleus .
Question 9
Complete the following DNA strand and indicate how many bonds are formed for each
complementary pair: 3' GGTCATCG 5'
A) 5' CCAGTAGC 3'; A-T pairs form 2 bonds, G-C pairs form 3 bonds
B) 5' CCAGTAGC 3'; A-T pairs form 3 bonds, G-C pairs form 2 bonds
C) 5' CCAGCTAGC 3'; A-T pairs form 2 bonds, G-C pairs form 3 bonds
D) 5' CCAGTCG 3'; A-T pairs form 2 bonds, G-C pairs form 3 bonds
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The complementary strand is 5' CCAGTAGC 3'. A-T pairings result in 2 hydrogen
bonds; C-G pairings result in 3 hydrogen bonds .
Question 10
Carbon, Hydrogen, and Oxygen atoms come together to form what primary macromolecule?
Give an example.
A) Proteins; Insulin
B) Polysaccharides; Sucrose
C) Nucleic acids; DNA
D) Lipids; Cholesterol
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Carbon, Hydrogen, and Oxygen atoms come together to form polysaccharides.
Examples include sucrose, glucose, and cellulose .
