Question 1

Which of the following best describes the primary difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells in terms of cellular structure?

Accepted Answer

Eukaryotic cells have a nucleus containing their genetic material, whereas prokaryotic cells lack a nucleus.

Question 2

A patient is diagnosed with a bacterial infection. Which of the following characteristics would help you classify the causative agent as a prokaryote?

Accepted Answer

Lack of membrane-bound organelles

Question 3

Which of the following equations correctly represents the exponential growth of a bacterial population, where $N_0$ is the initial number of cells, $n$ is the number of generations, and $N$ is the final number of cells?

Accepted Answer

$N = N_0 	imes 2^n$

Question 4

During an experiment, a student observes that a bacterial culture's population doubles every 30 minutes. If the initial population is $1 	imes 10^3$ cells, how many cells will there be after 2 hours?

Accepted Answer

$1.6 	imes 10^4$

Question 5

Which of the following best explains why viruses are not classified as living organisms?

Accepted Answer

They lack the ability to reproduce independently outside a host cell.

Question 6

Which metabolic pathway is used by both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells to generate ATP in the absence of oxygen?

Accepted Answer

Fermentation

Question 7

A scientist is studying a microbe that can survive in extremely high temperatures and acidic environments. To which group does this organism most likely belong?

Accepted Answer

Archaea

Question 8

Which of the following statements about the human immune response to microbial infection is correct?

Accepted Answer

The adaptive immune system develops memory cells after exposure to a pathogen.

Question 9

Which of the following best describes the function of microbial fermentation in the production of foods such as yogurt and cheese?

Accepted Answer

Fermentation converts sugars into acids or alcohols, which preserve the food and alter its flavor.

Question 10

Which of the following is a correct statement about the use of antibiotics in treating bacterial infections?

Accepted Answer

Overuse of antibiotics can lead to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Question 11

A patient is infected with a microbe that lacks peptidoglycan in its cell wall. Which group is this microbe most likely from?

Accepted Answer

Archaea

Question 12

Which of the following best describes the role of Koch's postulates in microbiology?

Accepted Answer

They provide a framework for linking specific microbes to specific diseases.

Question 13

Which of the following is a key feature of adaptive immunity that distinguishes it from innate immunity?

Accepted Answer

Ability to recognize and remember specific pathogens

Question 14

A researcher is testing a new disinfectant. Which method would best determine its effectiveness against a bacterial population?

Accepted Answer

Counting the number of colony-forming units (CFUs) on agar plates after treatment

Question 15

Which of the following best explains why Gram-negative bacteria are generally more resistant to antibiotics than Gram-positive bacteria?

Accepted Answer

They possess an outer membrane that restricts entry of many antibiotics.

Question 16

Which of the following equations represents the calculation of generation time ($g$) for a bacterial culture, given the time interval ($t$) and the number of generations ($n$)?

Accepted Answer

$g = \frac{t}{n}$

Question 17

A hospital outbreak is traced to a contaminated water source. Which of the following methods would be most effective for sterilizing large volumes of water?

Accepted Answer

Autoclaving at $121^\circ$C for 15 minutes

Question 18

Which of the following best describes the function of antibodies in the immune response?

Accepted Answer

They bind to specific antigens and help neutralize or eliminate pathogens.

Question 19

Which of the following is a real-world example of microbial metabolism being harnessed for human benefit?

Accepted Answer

The use of bacteria to produce insulin through recombinant DNA technology

Question 20

A patient receives a vaccine and later develops immunity to the disease. Which type of immunity is this an example of?

Accepted Answer

Active artificial immunity

Microbiology 2025FD: Course Overview and Study Guide

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards