Question 1

Which of the following best explains why we are generally unaware of the trillions of bacterial cells living in and on our bodies?

Accepted Answer

Bacterial cells are much smaller than our own cells and most do not cause noticeable symptoms.

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT a common prokaryotic cell shape?

Accepted Answer

Cuboidal

Question 3

Gram-positive bacteria are characterized by which of the following features?

Accepted Answer

A thick layer of peptidoglycan in their cell wall

Question 4

Which external feature allows some prokaryotes to attach to surfaces and resist being washed away?

Accepted Answer

Capsule

Question 5

A bacterium that can survive harsh conditions by forming a dormant, resistant structure is producing a:

Accepted Answer

Endospore

Question 6

Which nutritional mode describes an organism that uses sunlight for energy and CO$$_2 as a $$carbon source?

Accepted Answer

Photoautotroph

Question 7

Biofilms are medically significant because:

Accepted Answer

They are highly organized microbial communities that are difficult to eradicate.

Question 8

Which process uses prokaryotes to remove pollutants from the environment?

Accepted Answer

Bioremediation

Question 9

Which domain includes prokaryotes that thrive in extreme environments such as high salinity or temperature?

Accepted Answer

Archaea

Question 10

Cyanobacteria are unique among prokaryotes because they:

Accepted Answer

Carry out plantlike, oxygen-generating photosynthesis

Question 11

Which of the following best describes an exotoxin?

Accepted Answer

A protein secreted by bacteria that causes disease symptoms

Question 12

Which of the following is a real-world example of bioremediation?

Accepted Answer

Using bacteria to clean up oil spills in the ocean

Question 13

A scientist discovers a unicellular organism with a thick peptidoglycan cell wall, no nucleus, and the ability to form endospores. To which group does this organism most likely belong?

Accepted Answer

Gram-positive bacteria

Question 14

Which of the following statements about plasmids is correct?

Accepted Answer

They are small, circular DNA molecules that can carry antibiotic resistance genes.

Question 15

A patient is infected with a bacterium that produces a toxin only when the cell dies and is digested by immune cells. This toxin is best classified as:

Accepted Answer

An endotoxin

Question 16

Which of the following features is shared by both Archaea and Eukarya, but not Bacteria?

Accepted Answer

Presence of introns in some genes

Question 17

Which adaptation allows prokaryotes to move toward or away from certain stimuli?

Accepted Answer

Flagella

Question 18

A bacterium that uses organic compounds for both energy and carbon is classified as a:

Accepted Answer

Chemoheterotroph

Question 19

Which of the following is a plausible consequence of disrupting the human microbiome?

Accepted Answer

Increased susceptibility to infectious diseases and allergies

Question 20

Which group of prokaryotes is most likely to be found in a hot spring with temperatures above 80°C?

Accepted Answer

Extreme thermophiles (Archaea)

Microbial Life: Prokaryotes and Protists – Structure, Diversity, and Evolution

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