Question 1

Which of the following best explains why archaea can survive in extreme environments compared to most bacteria?

Accepted Answer

Archaea have branched membrane lipids and ether bonds, which increase stability.

Question 2

Which of the following is a function of the bacterial capsule?

Accepted Answer

It prevents phagocytosis and helps bacteria evade the immune system.

Question 3

A bacterium is placed in a hypotonic solution. What is the most likely outcome?

Accepted Answer

Water will enter the cell, possibly causing it to burst if the cell wall is damaged.

Question 4

Which of the following best describes the structure of peptidoglycan in bacterial cell walls?

Accepted Answer

Alternating units of NAG and NAM linked by peptide cross-bridges.

Question 5

Which of the following statements about bacterial endospores is correct?

Accepted Answer

Endospores are highly resistant to heat, desiccation, and chemicals.

Question 6

Which of the following is a key difference between Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial cell walls?

Accepted Answer

Gram-negative bacteria have a thin peptidoglycan layer and an outer membrane.

Question 7

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

Accepted Answer

They provide motility by rotating to propel the cell.

Question 8

Which process is described by the movement of water across a membrane from an area of low solute concentration to high solute concentration?

Accepted Answer

Osmosis

Question 9

What is the main function of the bacterial ribosome?

Accepted Answer

Protein synthesis

Question 10

Why can antibiotics that target the 70S ribosome be used to treat bacterial infections without harming human cells?

Accepted Answer

Human ribosomes are structurally different (80S) from bacterial ribosomes (70S).

Question 11

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

Accepted Answer

It prevents the cell from drying out and helps bacteria attach to surfaces.

Question 12

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

Accepted Answer

It supports cell structure and directs cell wall construction.

Question 13

Which of the following is true about passive transport across the bacterial cell membrane?

Accepted Answer

It includes diffusion, facilitated diffusion, and osmosis.

Question 14

Which of the following best describes the nucleoid in a bacterial cell?

Accepted Answer

It is the area of the cell where the DNA is located.

Question 15

Which of the following is a reason why Lipid A is significant in Gram-negative bacteria?

Accepted Answer

It is an endotoxin that can cause fever and shock in humans.

Question 16

Which of the following is a correct description of the bacterial plasma membrane?

Accepted Answer

It is composed of a phospholipid bilayer with embedded proteins.

Question 17

Which of the following is a function of bacterial pili?

Accepted Answer

They are involved in conjugation and attachment to surfaces.

Question 18

Which of the following best explains why endospores are difficult to destroy?

Accepted Answer

They have a thick protein coat and contain dipicolinic acid.

Question 19

Which of the following is a correct statement about bacterial storage of nutrients?

Accepted Answer

Bacteria store nutrients as inclusions or lipid PHB (polyhydroxybutyrate) granules.

Question 20

Which of the following is a correct description of the difference between a capsule and a slime layer?

Accepted Answer

A capsule is a highly organized structure firmly attached to the cell surface.

Chapter 3: Introduction to Prokaryotic Cells – Study Guide

Study Guide - Practice Questions