Question 1

Which of the following statements best explains why prokaryotic cells are generally smaller than eukaryotic cells?

Accepted Answer

A smaller cell size increases the surface area-to-volume ratio, enhancing nutrient uptake and waste removal.

Question 2

Which of the following is a unique feature of archaeal plasma membranes compared to bacterial plasma membranes?

Accepted Answer

Use of ether linkages and isoprene units in phospholipids

Question 3

A bacterium is found to have a thick, multi-layered peptidoglycan cell wall and teichoic acids. Which type of cell wall does it possess?

Accepted Answer

Gram-positive

Question 4

Which component of the Gram-negative cell wall is responsible for its toxicity in animals and is also known as endotoxin?

Accepted Answer

Lipid A of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)

Question 5

Which of the following best describes the function of bacterial endospores?

Accepted Answer

Allow bacteria to survive extreme environmental conditions by entering a dormant state

Question 6

Which of the following structures is found in both Bacteria and Archaea but is chemically distinct in each domain?

Accepted Answer

Plasma membrane

Question 7

A scientist isolates a prokaryote with a monolayer plasma membrane composed of biphytanyl lipids. This organism is most likely:

Accepted Answer

An archaeon

Question 8

Which of the following best explains why lysozyme is effective against bacterial cell walls?

Accepted Answer

It cleaves the glycosidic bonds between N-acetylglucosamine and N-acetylmuramic acid in peptidoglycan.

Question 9

Which of the following is NOT a function of the prokaryotic cytoplasmic membrane?

Accepted Answer

Synthesis of peptidoglycan cross-links

Question 10

A bacterium with peritrichous flagella would be expected to:

Accepted Answer

Have flagella distributed over the entire cell surface

Question 11

Which of the following statements about the endosymbiotic theory is supported by evidence?

Accepted Answer

Mitochondria and chloroplasts divide by binary fission and contain their own circular DNA

Question 12

Which of the following cell surface structures is primarily responsible for bacterial conjugation?

Accepted Answer

Pili

Question 13

A patient is infected with a bacterium that resists phagocytosis and forms biofilms on teeth. Which structure is most likely responsible for these properties?

Accepted Answer

Glycocalyx (capsule and slime layer)

Question 14

Which of the following inclusions would you expect to find in a bacterium that stores excess phosphate for ATP synthesis?

Accepted Answer

Volutin granules

Question 15

Which of the following best describes the main structural difference between Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial cell walls?

Accepted Answer

Gram-positive bacteria have a thick peptidoglycan layer, while Gram-negative bacteria have a thin peptidoglycan layer and an outer membrane.

Question 16

Which of the following is a function of gas vesicles in aquatic prokaryotes?

Accepted Answer

Buoyancy regulation

Question 17

Which of the following statements about archaeal cell walls is correct?

Accepted Answer

Some Archaea have pseudomurein, while others have S-layers or polysaccharide walls.

Question 18

Which of the following best explains why Gram-negative bacteria are generally more resistant to lipophilic antibiotics than Gram-positive bacteria?

Accepted Answer

Their outer membrane acts as an effective barrier to many harmful agents.

Question 19

Which of the following is a key difference between bacterial flagella and archaeal archaella?

Accepted Answer

Bacterial flagella are composed of flagellin, while archaella are composed of several different proteins and are structurally similar to type IV pili.

Cellular Structure and Function in Microbiology: Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells Unit 2

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