Question 1

Which enzyme is responsible for unwinding the DNA double helix during DNA replication?

Accepted Answer

Helicase

Question 2

What is the primary function of RNA primers during DNA replication?

Accepted Answer

RNA primers provide a 3’ end for DNA polymerase to build on

Question 3

Which of the following best describes the leading strand during DNA replication?

Accepted Answer

The strand that is built continuously, as the replication fork opens

Question 4

Which type of organism is most likely to have telomeres on its chromosomes?

Accepted Answer

Eukaryotes

Question 5

What is the main difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell division?

Accepted Answer

Prokaryotic cell division occurs by binary fission, while eukaryotic can occur by mitosis or meiosis

Question 6

Which of the following occurs in all types of cell division?

Accepted Answer

DNA replication

Question 7

A population of cells increases from 2 cells to 16 cells in 3 hours. What is the generation time?

Accepted Answer

$$1\ 	ext{hour}$$

Question 8

Which phase of growth in a closed system is characterized by no net increase in cell number because cell division and cell death rates are equal?

Accepted Answer

Stationary phase

Question 9

Which of the following best describes a facultative anaerobe?

Accepted Answer

Grows best with oxygen but can grow without it

Question 10

A microorganism that grows best at a pH of 3 is classified as a(n):

Accepted Answer

Acidophile

Question 11

Which of the following is a characteristic of biofilms that makes them difficult to treat in clinical settings?

Accepted Answer

They are drug resistant and adherent

Question 12

Which of the following best describes a halotolerant microorganism?

Accepted Answer

Can tolerate high salt but grows best at low salt

Question 13

Which of the following statements about telomerase is correct?

Accepted Answer

Telomerase replaces lost telomere DNA after replication

Question 14

Which of the following best describes the process of binary fission?

Accepted Answer

A form of asexual reproduction in prokaryotes

Question 15

A microorganism that grows best at 70°C is classified as a:

Accepted Answer

Thermophile

Question 16

Which of the following is true about the cell cycle in eukaryotes?

Accepted Answer

Interphase is when the cell prepares for division

Question 17

Which type of cell division results in the reduction of chromosome number from diploid to haploid?

Accepted Answer

Meiosis

Question 18

A microorganism that can only grow in a small amount of oxygen is called a:

Accepted Answer

Microaerophile

Question 19

Which of the following best describes the role of a chemostat in the laboratory?

Accepted Answer

It maintains cells in exponential growth by continuously adding nutrients and removing waste

Question 20

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

Accepted Answer

Microorganisms embedded in extracellular matrix on a catheter

Cell Growth, Division, and Environmental Factors in Microbiology

Study Guide - Practice Questions