Q: Facilitated diffusion across a bacterial membrane can be described mathematically as:

$$J = P \times (C_{out} - C_{in})$$

Question 1

Which of the following statements best explains why all bacteria are small in size compared to most eukaryotic cells?

Accepted Answer

Smaller size allows for a higher surface area to volume ratio, which increases nutrient uptake and waste removal efficiency.

Question 2

A virus is typically measured in nanometers (nm). If a typical virus is about 100 nm in diameter, how many times smaller is it than a typical bacterial cell measured at 1 μm?

Accepted Answer

$$\frac{1\ \mu m}{100\ nm} = \frac{1000\ nm}{100\ nm} = 10$$ times smaller

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT a property shared by all cells?

Accepted Answer

Differentiation

Question 4

Which structure is found in all prokaryotic cells but NOT in eukaryotic cells?

Accepted Answer

Nucleoid

Question 5

A scientist observes a spherical bacterium that grows in pairs. What is the correct term for this bacterial arrangement?

Accepted Answer

Diplococcus

Question 6

Which of the following best describes the function of the bacterial cell wall?

Accepted Answer

Protection against changes in osmotic pressure and providing structural support

Question 7

Gram-positive bacteria differ from Gram-negative bacteria in which of the following ways?

Accepted Answer

Gram-positive bacteria have a thicker peptidoglycan layer containing teichoic acids.

Question 8

Which process allows bacteria to acquire new genetic material from other bacteria by a special mechanism?

Accepted Answer

Horizontal gene transfer

Question 9

A patient presents with joint pain and muscle fatigue after a tick bite. Which microorganism is most likely responsible for these symptoms?

Accepted Answer

Borrelia burgdorferi

Question 10

Which of the following best explains how eukaryotic cells overcome the surface area to volume (SA:V) problem as they increase in size?

Accepted Answer

They develop organized internal structures that allow biochemical reactions to occur efficiently.

Question 11

Which of the following is a function of the cytoplasmic membrane in bacteria?

Accepted Answer

Regulation of movement of molecules, environmental sensing, and allowing internal chemistry

Question 12

Facilitated diffusion across a bacterial membrane can be described mathematically as:

Accepted Answer

$$J = P 	imes (C_{out} - C_{in})$$

Question 13

Which transport system in bacteria uses ATP to drive the uptake of substrates with high specificity?

Accepted Answer

ABC Transporters

Question 14

What is the main difference between a naked virus and an enveloped virus?

Accepted Answer

A naked virus lacks an outer phospholipid envelope and only has a nucleocapsid.

Question 15

Which of the following is a prion-related disease found in cows, first identified in England in the 1980s?

Accepted Answer

Bovine spongiform encephalopathy

Question 16

Which of the following best describes group translocation in bacteria?

Accepted Answer

A transport process in which the substance is chemically modified during passage across the membrane.

Question 17

Which enzyme breaks the $$\beta-1$$,4 bonds in peptidoglycan, leading to bacterial cell wall degradation?

Accepted Answer

Lysozyme

Question 18

A bacterium is placed in a hypotonic solution. What is the most likely outcome if its cell wall is damaged?

Accepted Answer

The cell will swell and lyse due to water influx.

Question 19

Which of the following is a property unique to archaea compared to bacteria?

Accepted Answer

Cell walls made from pseudomurein

Question 20

Which of the following best describes the role of a virion surface protein?

Accepted Answer

It is important for host cell attachment and may include enzymes involved in infection or replication.

Foundations of Microbiology: Cell Structure, Diversity, and Pathogenicity

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards