Question 1

Which of the following best describes the difference between potential and kinetic energy in biological systems?

Accepted Answer

Potential energy is stored energy available to do work, while kinetic energy is the energy of motion.

Question 2

Which of the following is an example of potential energy in a cell?

Accepted Answer

A glucose molecule.

Question 3

The first law of thermodynamics states:

Accepted Answer

Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred or transformed.

Question 4

Which of the following best explains why energy transfer in biological systems is never 100% efficient?

Accepted Answer

Some energy is always lost as heat, increasing the entropy of the universe.

Question 5

Which of the following statements is TRUE for all exergonic reactions?

Accepted Answer

The reaction proceeds with a net loss of free energy.

Question 6

Which of the following best describes the role of ATP in cellular metabolism?

Accepted Answer

ATP acts as an intermediary to store energy for cellular work.

Question 7

How does ATP participate in energy-coupling reactions?

Accepted Answer

Hydrolysis of ATP fuels endergonic reactions.

Question 8

Which of the following is a likely characteristic of an enzyme isolated from a human stomach where conditions are strongly acidic?

Accepted Answer

An enzyme that functions properly at 98 degrees Fahrenheit and at an acidic pH.

Question 9

Which of the following statements is TRUE regarding an enzyme’s function?

Accepted Answer

It increases the rate of chemical reactions by lowering activation energy barriers.

Question 10

Which of the following statements correctly describes competitive inhibition?

Accepted Answer

A competitive inhibitor binds to the active site of an enzyme and inhibits the substrate to bind.

Question 11

Which of the following terms specifically describes the metabolic process of breaking down large molecules?

Accepted Answer

Catabolism.

Question 12

Which of the following is TRUE regarding anabolic pathways?

Accepted Answer

They consume energy to build up polymers from monomers.

Question 13

Which of the following statements about redox reactions is correct?

Accepted Answer

Oxidation is the loss of electrons; reduction is the gain of electrons.

Question 14

During aerobic cellular respiration, which molecule acts as the final electron acceptor in the electron transport chain?

Accepted Answer

O2

Question 15

Which of the following steps of aerobic cellular respiration produces the largest amount of ATP?

Accepted Answer

Oxidative phosphorylation (ETC and chemiosmosis)

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT a function of the pentose phosphate pathway?

Accepted Answer

Generates ATP for anabolic pathways.

Question 17

Which of the following is a primary function of both lactic acid fermentation and alcohol fermentation?

Accepted Answer

Oxidation of NADH to NAD+.

Question 18

Which of the following is a major difference between oxygenic and anoxygenic photosynthesis?

Accepted Answer

All of the above are major differences between oxygenic and anoxygenic photosynthesis.

Question 19

The enzyme rubisco combines RuBP with a carbon atom from:

Accepted Answer

Carbon dioxide.

Microbial Metabolism: Structured Study Notes for College Microbiology

Study Guide - Practice Questions