Question 1

Which of the following statements best describes the difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?

Accepted Answer

Eukaryotic cells have a nucleus, while prokaryotic cells lack a nucleus.

Question 2

A bacterium is placed in a hypertonic solution. What is most likely to happen to the cell?

Accepted Answer

Water will leave the cell, causing plasmolysis.

Question 3

Which component is responsible for the semi-rigid structure of the bacterial cell wall?

Accepted Answer

Peptidoglycan

Question 4

Gram-positive bacteria differ from gram-negative bacteria in which way?

Accepted Answer

Gram-positive bacteria have a thick peptidoglycan layer and lack an outer membrane.

Question 5

Which structure allows bacteria to move toward favorable environments in response to chemical signals?

Accepted Answer

Flagella

Question 6

What is the primary function of the glycocalyx in bacterial cells?

Accepted Answer

Attachment to surfaces and protection from dehydration

Question 7

Endospores are produced by certain bacteria under which conditions?

Accepted Answer

When nutrients are depleted or environmental conditions are adverse

Question 8

Which process allows bacteria to acquire new genetic traits from their environment without being direct descendants?

Accepted Answer

Horizontal gene transfer

Question 9

During bacterial conjugation, what is transferred from the donor cell to the recipient cell?

Accepted Answer

Plasmid DNA

Question 10

Which of the following best describes a chemoheterotroph?

Accepted Answer

Uses organic molecules as both energy and carbon sources

Question 11

What is the final electron acceptor in aerobic respiration for most microbes?

Accepted Answer

O2

Question 12

Which environmental classification describes an organism that thrives in extremely high salt concentrations?

Accepted Answer

Extreme halophile

Question 13

Which of the following is a function of bacterial plasmids?

Accepted Answer

Carry genes for antibiotic resistance

Question 14

Which of the following is NOT a function of pili?

Accepted Answer

Gliding motility

Question 15

Which of the following statements about biofilms is correct?

Accepted Answer

Biofilms are complex communities of microbes encased in a polysaccharide matrix.

Question 16

Which of the following is a virulence factor?

Accepted Answer

Capsule

Question 17

Which of the following statements about protists is true?

Accepted Answer

All protists have a membrane-bound nucleus.

Question 18

What is the main advantage gained by eukaryotes through endosymbiosis?

Accepted Answer

Acquisition of energy-producing organelles like mitochondria

Question 19

Which protist life cycle involves alternation between multicellular diploid and multicellular haploid forms?

Accepted Answer

Laminaria

Question 20

Which of the following lists the four supergroups of eukaryotes?

Accepted Answer

Excavata, SAR, Archaeplastida, Unikonta

Microbial Life: Prokaryotes and Protists – Structured Study Notes

Study Guide - Practice Questions