Question 1

Which of the following statements best describes the function of biofilms in microbial communities?

Accepted Answer

Biofilms protect mucous membranes from harmful microbes and can form a barrier against antibiotics.

Question 2

A scientist isolates a bacterium with a thick peptidoglycan layer and teichoic acids. Which staining result would you expect, and why?

Accepted Answer

Gram-positive, because the thick peptidoglycan layer retains the primary stain.

Question 3

Which of the following is a major difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?

Accepted Answer

Prokaryotes have a single circular chromosome not in a membrane and lack organelles.

Question 4

Which form of glycocalyx increases bacterial virulence by preventing phagocytosis?

Accepted Answer

Capsule, which is neatly organized and firmly attached.

Question 5

A bacterial cell is found to survive boiling water for several hours. Which structure is most likely responsible for this resistance?

Accepted Answer

Endospore

Question 6

Which equation represents the overall process of photosynthesis?

Accepted Answer

$$6CO_2 + 6H_2O \rightarrow C_6H_{12}O_6$ + 6O_2$$

Question 7

During aerobic respiration, what is the final electron acceptor in the electron transport chain?

Accepted Answer

Oxygen ($$O_2)$$

Question 8

Which of the following best describes the process of fermentation?

Accepted Answer

Incomplete oxidation of glucose in the absence of oxygen, using organic compounds as terminal electron acceptors.

Question 9

Which temperature adaptation group is most likely to cause food-borne illness from refrigerated foods?

Accepted Answer

Psychrophiles

Question 10

A bacterium is found to grow only in the presence of oxygen and cannot survive without it. What is its oxygen requirement category?

Accepted Answer

Obligate aerobe

Question 11

Which phase of the population growth curve is characterized by equal rates of cell growth and cell death?

Accepted Answer

Stationary phase

Question 12

Which method is most commonly used to isolate individual bacterial colonies on an agar plate?

Accepted Answer

Streak plate method

Question 13

Which of the following is NOT a target for antimicrobial agents?

Accepted Answer

Mitochondria in prokaryotes

Question 14

Which gene category is responsible for controlling gene expression?

Accepted Answer

Regulatory genes

Question 15

During DNA replication, which enzyme unwinds and unzips the DNA double helix?

Accepted Answer

Helicase

Question 16

Which process involves the transfer of a plasmid from a donor to a recipient cell via a pilus?

Accepted Answer

Conjugation

Question 17

Which of the following is a benefit of using subunit vaccines produced by recombinant DNA technology?

Accepted Answer

There is no chance of actually getting infected from the vaccine.

Question 18

Which of the following is a characteristic of viruses?

Accepted Answer

They lack enzymes for metabolic processes and protein synthesis.

Question 19

Which portal of entry is most commonly used by respiratory pathogens?

Accepted Answer

Mucous membranes of the respiratory tract

Question 20

Which term describes a disease that is acquired during a hospital stay?

Accepted Answer

Nosocomial infection

Comprehensive Study Notes for College Microbiology: Cell Structure, Growth, Genetics, and Pathogenicity

Study Guide - Practice Questions