Question 1

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of all living microbes?

Accepted Answer

Motility

Question 2

A scientist discovers a single-celled organism that is 80 µm in diameter, contains a nucleus, and has membrane-bound organelles. Which group does this organism most likely belong to?

Accepted Answer

Eukaryotes

Question 3

Which structure allows bacteria to transfer DNA from one cell to another during conjugation?

Accepted Answer

Pili

Question 4

A bacterium is found to have a thick layer of peptidoglycan and teichoic acids in its cell wall. After Gram staining, what color will it appear?

Accepted Answer

Purple

Question 5

Which component of the Gram-negative bacterial cell wall is responsible for causing fever and shock in infected patients?

Accepted Answer

Lipid A of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)

Question 6

Why are Mycoplasma species considered alive even though they lack motility and a cell wall?

Accepted Answer

They possess DNA, ribosomes, and metabolic activity

Question 7

Which of the following best describes the function of the bacterial glycocalyx capsule?

Accepted Answer

It prevents recognition by the host immune system

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

Water will leave the cell, causing plasmolysis

Question 9

Which of the following statements about prokaryotic and eukaryotic ribosomes is correct?

Accepted Answer

Prokaryotic ribosomes are 70S, eukaryotic ribosomes are 80S

Question 10

Which of the following best explains why antibiotics that target peptidoglycan are effective against bacteria but not human cells?

Accepted Answer

Human cells lack a cell wall containing peptidoglycan

Question 11

A scientist observes a bacterium moving toward a chemical attractant. Which term best describes this behavior?

Accepted Answer

Chemotaxis

Question 12

Which of the following is a function of the prokaryotic cytoskeleton?

Accepted Answer

DNA segregation during cell division

Question 13

Which of the following best describes the structure of a bacterial flagellum?

Accepted Answer

A filament, hook, and basal body anchored to the cell wall

Question 14

Which of the following is true about endospores?

Accepted Answer

They are resistant to heat, radiation, and chemicals

Question 15

Which of the following is a unique feature of Gram-positive bacteria?

Accepted Answer

Thick peptidoglycan layer with teichoic acids

Question 16

A patient is infected with a bacterium that forms biofilms on medical devices. Which structure is most important for the initial attachment to surfaces?

Accepted Answer

Fimbriae

Question 17

Which of the following best describes the fluid mosaic model of the cytoplasmic membrane?

Accepted Answer

A flexible bilayer with proteins embedded throughout

Question 18

Which of the following is a function of the bacterial cell wall?

Accepted Answer

Protection from osmotic forces

Question 19

Which of the following statements about bacterial inclusions is correct?

Accepted Answer

They store reserve deposits of chemicals

Question 20

Which of the following best explains why a pilus is considered a type of fimbria, but a flagellum is not?

Accepted Answer

Pili and fimbriae are both used for attachment, while flagella are used for movement

Cell Structure and Function: Microbiology Study Notes

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