Q: Which of the following best describes the function of fimbriae in prokaryotic cells?

Fimbriae are short, bristle-like structures that help bacteria adhere to surfaces and establish biofilms.

Q: A patient is diagnosed with tuberculosis, caused by Mycobacterium. Which property of acid-fast bacteria explains why treatment requires long, multidrug therapy?

The waxy mycolic acid layer in the cell wall prevents drugs from easily crossing into the cell.

Q: Which of the following equations best describes the energy requirement for active transport in prokaryotic cells?

Active transport requires energy input, represented as $\Delta G > 0$ for movement against the concentration gradient.

Question 1

Which of the following statements best explains why pleomorphic bacteria are often more successful in transmission to new human hosts compared to monomorphic bacteria?

Accepted Answer

Pleomorphic bacteria can change their shape, allowing them to adapt to different environments and evade immune responses.

Question 2

A bacterium is observed under the microscope as chains of rod-shaped cells. Which arrangement and shape best describe this organism?

Accepted Answer

Streptobacilli

Question 3

During binary fission, which step directly follows the copying of DNA?

Accepted Answer

The cell grows and the copied chromosome is drawn to opposite ends of the cell.

Question 4

Which of the following is a key difference between the plasma membrane of Bacteria and Archaea?

Accepted Answer

Bacteria have linear fatty acids in their phospholipids, while Archaea have long-branched fatty acids.

Question 5

A Gram-negative bacterium is more resistant to chemical agents than a Gram-positive bacterium. Which structural feature is primarily responsible for this increased resistance?

Accepted Answer

The presence of an outer membrane containing lipopolysaccharide.

Question 6

Which equation best represents the direction of water movement during osmosis in a prokaryotic cell placed in a hypertonic solution?

Accepted Answer

Water moves from inside the cell to outside, following $\Delta C = C_{inside} - C_{outside} < 0$.

Question 7

Which of the following best describes the function of fimbriae in prokaryotic cells?

Accepted Answer

Fimbriae are short, bristle-like structures that help bacteria adhere to surfaces and establish biofilms.

Question 8

A patient is diagnosed with tuberculosis, caused by Mycobacterium. Which property of acid-fast bacteria explains why treatment requires long, multidrug therapy?

Accepted Answer

The waxy mycolic acid layer in the cell wall prevents drugs from easily crossing into the cell.

Question 9

Which of the following equations best describes the energy requirement for active transport in prokaryotic cells?

Accepted Answer

Active transport requires energy input, represented as $\Delta G > 0$ for movement against the concentration gradient.

Question 10

Which of the following is true regarding endospores produced by Bacillus and Clostridium species?

Accepted Answer

Endospores are metabolically inactive structures that allow cells to survive extreme environmental stresses.

Question 11

A bacterium is observed to have flagella at both poles of the cell. Which flagellar arrangement does this represent?

Accepted Answer

Amphitrichous

Question 12

Which of the following best explains why Mycoplasma species are resistant to antibiotics that target cell wall synthesis?

Accepted Answer

Mycoplasma species lack a cell wall and instead have a sterol-enriched plasma membrane.

Question 13

Which of the following is a function of teichoic acids in Gram-positive bacteria?

Accepted Answer

Teichoic acids stabilize the cell wall, help maintain shape, transport cations, and aid regulation of cell division.

Question 14

Which of the following best describes the role of the prokaryotic cytoskeleton?

Accepted Answer

The cytoskeleton is composed of long protein filaments that provide structure and support to the cell.

Question 15

A prokaryotic cell is placed in a cold environment. Which modification to its membrane lipids would help maintain membrane fluidity?

Accepted Answer

Increasing the proportion of unsaturated fatty acids in the membrane.

Question 16

Which of the following best describes the nucleoid region in prokaryotic cells?

Accepted Answer

The nucleoid region contains the single, circular chromosome of prokaryotes.

Question 17

Which of the following is a real-world implication of L-form bacteria in clinical settings?

Accepted Answer

L-form bacteria may contribute to persistent infections because they lack cell walls targeted by many antibiotics.

Question 18

Which of the following best describes the function of inclusion bodies in prokaryotic cells?

Accepted Answer

Inclusion bodies are distinct collections of substances used to store useful materials inside the cell.

Question 19

Which of the following best describes the process of sporulation in bacteria?

Accepted Answer

Sporulation involves copying DNA, packaging cellular components, surrounding the spore core with resistant layers, and releasing the endospore.

Question 20

Which of the following best explains why Gram-positive bacteria retain moisture longer than Gram-negative bacteria?

Accepted Answer

The thick peptidoglycan layer in Gram-positive bacteria helps retain moisture.

Introduction to Prokaryotic Cells: Structure, Function, and Diversity

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