Question 1

Which of the following best describes the difference between a scientific law and a scientific theory in microbiology?

Accepted Answer

A law is a precise statement that predicts a specific occurrence, while a theory explains how and why something occurs.

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT a function of lipids in the human body?

Accepted Answer

Catalyzing chemical reactions

Question 3

A patient develops a hospital-acquired infection after surgery. Which of the following practices would have MOST likely prevented this infection?

Accepted Answer

Washing hands for at least 20 seconds before and after patient contact

Question 4

Which of the following is the correct order of the taxonomic hierarchy from broadest to most specific?

Accepted Answer

Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species

Question 5

Which of the following statements about microbes is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

Less than 1% of microbes are human pathogens.

Question 6

Which of the following best describes an opportunistic infection?

Accepted Answer

An infection caused by a normally harmless microbe when the immune system is compromised.

Question 7

Which of the following is a correct example of binomial nomenclature for a bacterium?

Accepted Answer

Escherichia coli

Question 8

A scientist proposes a hypothesis that a certain bacterium causes a specific disease. According to the scientific method, what is the next step?

Accepted Answer

Collect and analyze observations (data) to test the hypothesis.

Question 9

Which of the following macromolecules is primarily responsible for storing genetic information?

Accepted Answer

Nucleic acids

Question 10

Which of the following best describes the role of dietary fiber in human health?

Accepted Answer

Dissolves in water and helps regulate blood sugar and cholesterol

Question 11

Which of the following is a distinguishing feature of Archaea compared to Bacteria?

Accepted Answer

Archaea often live in extreme environments and have no known pathogens.

Question 12

Which of the following is a function of proteins in living organisms?

Accepted Answer

Catalyzing biochemical reactions as enzymes

Question 13

A patient with HIV develops pneumonia caused by Pneumocystis jirovecii. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

An opportunistic infection

Question 14

Which of the following best describes the structure of a triglyceride?

Accepted Answer

Three fatty acids bonded to one glycerol molecule

Question 15

Which of the following is a correct statement about the ubiquity of microbes?

Accepted Answer

Microbes are found in extreme environments, including polar ice caps and deep in the Earth's crust.

Question 16

Which of the following drugs is most likely to cause nephrotoxicity and infusion reactions as a side effect?

Accepted Answer

Amphotericin B

Question 17

Which of the following best describes the function of HDL (high-density lipoprotein) in the body?

Accepted Answer

Transports cholesterol from tissues to the liver for excretion

Question 18

Which of the following is a polysaccharide found in plants that is important for human dietary fiber?

Accepted Answer

Cellulose

Question 19

Which of the following best describes the primary structure of a protein?

Accepted Answer

The sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide chain

Question 20

A researcher is studying a microbe that lacks a cell wall, is unicellular, and can survive in extreme environments. To which domain does this microbe most likely belong?

Accepted Answer

Archaea

Introduction to Microbiology: Principles, Classification, and Macromolecules

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards