Question 1

Which of the following features is unique to the cell walls of bacteria, distinguishing them from those of archaea and eukaryotes?

Accepted Answer

Presence of peptidoglycan

Question 2

A scientist discovers a prokaryote living in a hot spring with temperatures above 90°C. Which group is this organism most likely to belong to, and what adaptation allows it to survive?

Accepted Answer

Archaea; specialized proteins and DNA stability

Question 3

Which process allows prokaryotes to rapidly adapt to environmental changes, even though their mutation rates are low?

Accepted Answer

Rapid reproduction in large populations

Question 4

A patient is infected with a gram-negative bacterium. Which property of the bacterium makes it more resistant to antibiotics compared to gram-positive bacteria?

Accepted Answer

Presence of an outer membrane containing lipopolysaccharides

Question 5

Which metabolic mode describes a prokaryote that uses light for energy and CO$$_2 as $$its carbon source?

Accepted Answer

Photoautotroph

Question 6

During bacterial conjugation, what is the role of the F factor?

Accepted Answer

It is required for the production of pili and DNA transfer

Question 7

A biofilm forms on a medical device. Which property of biofilms makes infections associated with them particularly difficult to treat?

Accepted Answer

Biofilms allow metabolic cooperation and protect bacteria from antibiotics

Question 8

Which of the following best explains why salt is used as a preservative in food?

Accepted Answer

Salt causes plasmolysis in prokaryotes, slowing their reproduction

Question 9

A bacterium is found to be an obligate anaerobe. Which of the following environments would be most suitable for its growth?

Accepted Answer

Deep water sediments lacking oxygen

Question 10

Which process involves a bacteriophage transferring DNA from one bacterium to another?

Accepted Answer

Transduction

Question 11

A soil bacterium is engineered to break down oil spills. This is an example of which application of prokaryotes?

Accepted Answer

Bioremediation

Question 12

Which of the following is a mutualistic relationship involving prokaryotes in the human body?

Accepted Answer

Intestinal bacteria synthesizing vitamins and aiding digestion

Question 13

Which of the following statements about horizontal gene transfer in prokaryotes is correct?

Accepted Answer

It can spread antibiotic resistance genes across different species

Question 14

A cyanobacterium is classified as a photoautotroph. Which equation best represents its role in the biosphere?

Accepted Answer

$$6CO_2 + 6H_2O \rightarrow C_6H_{12}O_6$ + 6O_2$$

Question 15

Which of the following is a function of the bacterial capsule?

Accepted Answer

Protects the cell from the host's immune system

Question 16

A patient is diagnosed with a disease caused by an exotoxin. Which of the following is most likely true?

Accepted Answer

The disease is caused by a protein secreted by living bacteria

Question 17

Which adaptation allows some bacteria to survive for centuries in extreme conditions?

Accepted Answer

Formation of endospores

Question 18

Which of the following best describes the role of nitrogen-fixing bacteria in the biosphere?

Accepted Answer

They convert atmospheric nitrogen ($$N_2) to $$ammonia ($$NH_3)$$

Question 19

Which of the following is a consequence of the widespread use of antibiotics in medicine and agriculture?

Accepted Answer

Rapid evolution of antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains

Question 20

Which of the following statements about prokaryotic flagella is correct?

Accepted Answer

They are an example of exaptation, having evolved from structures with different functions

Chapter 27: Bacteria and Archaea – Structure, Function, and Diversity

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards