Question 1

Which of the following best describes why viruses are not considered true living organisms?

Accepted Answer

Viruses can only replicate inside of host cells and lack most characteristics of life, such as metabolism.

Question 2

Which of the following is an example of an opportunistic pathogen?

Accepted Answer

A bacterium that is normally harmless but causes infection in an immunocompromised patient.

Question 3

What was the major contribution of Anton van Leeuwenhoek to microbiology?

Accepted Answer

He invented the first microscope that could be used to observe microorganisms.

Question 4

Which of the following best describes Koch's first postulate?

Accepted Answer

The microorganism must be present in diseased individuals but not in healthy individuals.

Question 5

Which of the following is NOT a step in the scientific method?

Accepted Answer

Ignoring data that does not fit the hypothesis.

Question 6

Which of the following statements about prokaryotes is correct?

Accepted Answer

Prokaryotes lack a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.

Question 7

Which of the following is an example of mutualism?

Accepted Answer

Bacteria in the human gut that help digest food and benefit from the environment.

Question 8

Which of the following best explains why a strain is not considered a different species?

Accepted Answer

The genetic changes in a strain are not enough to make it a different species but are enough to make it different from other strains.

Question 9

Which of the following is a benefit of normal microbiota?

Accepted Answer

They help prevent colonization by pathogens by competing for space and nutrients.

Question 10

Which of the following best describes fermentation?

Accepted Answer

Fermentation is an alternative to cellular respiration where sugars are converted to acid or alcohol and carbon dioxide.

Question 11

Which of the following is an example of an industrial use of microbes?

Accepted Answer

Producing biodegradable plastics from bacterial fermentation.

Question 12

Which of the following is a reason why biofilms are harder to kill than planktonic bacteria?

Accepted Answer

Biofilms are protected by an extracellular matrix that shields them from antibiotics and the immune system.

Question 13

Which of the following is a correct statement about antiseptics?

Accepted Answer

Antiseptics are used to prevent contamination of patients by killing or inhibiting microorganisms on living tissue.

Question 14

Which of the following is a correct example of commensalism?

Accepted Answer

Microbes benefit and the host is not harmed but does not benefit.

Question 15

Which of the following is a step in Koch's postulates that helps determine the causative agent of a disease?

Accepted Answer

The microorganism must be isolated and grown in pure culture.

Question 16

Which of the following is a correct statement about the three domains of life?

Accepted Answer

The three domains are Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya.

Question 17

Which of the following is a correct example of a eukaryotic cell?

Accepted Answer

A human muscle cell.

Question 18

Which of the following best describes the purpose of pasteurization?

Accepted Answer

To use heat to reduce microbial numbers in food and beverages for a short period of time.

Question 19

Which of the following is a correct statement about the role of Semmelweis in infection control?

Accepted Answer

He introduced handwashing with chlorinated lime solutions to reduce puerperal fever.

Question 20

Which of the following is a correct statement about the function of normal microbiota in the digestive tract?

Accepted Answer

They help digest food and produce vitamins.

Chapter 1: Introduction to Microbiology – Study Guide

Study Guide - Practice Questions