Question 1

Which of the following best explains why prokaryotic cells benefit from a high surface area-to-volume ratio?

Accepted Answer

It allows for more efficient nutrient uptake and waste removal due to increased membrane area relative to cell volume.

Question 2

A bacterial cell is placed in a hypertonic solution. Which of the following best describes what will happen to the cell?

Accepted Answer

Water will leave the cell, potentially causing plasmolysis.

Question 3

Which of the following statements about Gram-negative bacteria is CORRECT?

Accepted Answer

They have a thin peptidoglycan layer and an outer membrane containing lipopolysaccharide (LPS).

Question 4

A patient is infected with Mycoplasma pneumoniae. Which antibiotic would likely be INEFFECTIVE and why?

Accepted Answer

Penicillin, because Mycoplasma lacks a cell wall for the drug to target.

Question 5

Which of the following best describes the process of binary fission in bacteria?

Accepted Answer

DNA is replicated, the cell elongates, chromosomes are separated, a septum forms, and two daughter cells are produced.

Question 6

Which of the following is a key reason why peptidoglycan is an important target for antibacterial drugs?

Accepted Answer

Peptidoglycan is unique to bacteria, so drugs targeting it are less likely to harm human cells.

Question 7

A bacterium is observed to have a peritrichous flagellar arrangement. Which of the following best describes this arrangement?

Accepted Answer

Flagella are distributed over the entire surface of the cell.

Question 8

Which of the following best distinguishes facilitated diffusion from simple diffusion across the prokaryotic plasma membrane?

Accepted Answer

Facilitated diffusion requires a transport protein, while simple diffusion does not.

Question 9

A Gram-positive bacterium is exposed to lysozyme, which damages its cell wall. If the bacterium is then placed in a hypotonic solution, what is the most likely outcome?

Accepted Answer

The cell will take in water and may lyse due to the weakened or absent cell wall.

Question 10

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

Accepted Answer

They allow bacteria to survive harsh environmental conditions, such as heat and desiccation.

Question 11

A researcher stains a bacterial sample and observes red/pink cells under the microscope. Which of the following is the most likely explanation?

Accepted Answer

The cells are Gram-negative, which retain the counterstain safranin and appear pink/red.

Question 12

Which of the following is TRUE regarding the plasma membrane of prokaryotic cells?

Accepted Answer

Increasing the proportion of unsaturated fatty acids increases membrane fluidity at lower temperatures.

Question 13

Which of the following best describes the difference between primary and secondary active transport in prokaryotic cells?

Accepted Answer

Primary active transport uses ATP directly, while secondary active transport uses the energy from an ion gradient.

Question 14

A bacterium is observed to move toward a chemical attractant. This type of movement is best described as:

Accepted Answer

Chemotaxis

Question 15

Which of the following statements about acid-fast bacteria is CORRECT?

Accepted Answer

They have mycolic acid in their cell walls, which makes them resistant to many drugs and causes them to stain red with acid-fast stain.

Question 16

Which of the following structures is primarily responsible for bacterial conjugation (the transfer of DNA between cells)?

Accepted Answer

Pili

Question 17

A bacterial cell is found to be pleomorphic. What does this mean?

Accepted Answer

The cell can vary in shape and size.

Question 18

Which of the following best describes the composition of prokaryotic ribosomes?

Accepted Answer

They are 70S, composed of 50S and 30S subunits.

Question 19

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

Accepted Answer

It helps bacteria evade phagocytosis and adhere to surfaces.

Question 20

A bacterium is found to have lost its cell wall and is now referred to as an L-form. Which of the following is a likely consequence?

Accepted Answer

The bacterium becomes more susceptible to osmotic lysis, especially in hypotonic environments.

Introduction to Prokaryotic Cells – Study Guide

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