Question 1

Which of the following statements best distinguishes prokaryotes from eukaryotes?

Accepted Answer

Prokaryotes lack membrane-bound organelles, whereas eukaryotes possess them.

Question 2

Which of the following is an acellular infectious agent composed solely of protein and is known to cause neurodegenerative diseases by inducing abnormal folding of host proteins?

Accepted Answer

Prion

Question 3

A patient is diagnosed with a disease caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae. Which unique feature of this bacterium makes it resistant to antibiotics like penicillin?

Accepted Answer

It lacks a cell wall entirely.

Question 4

Which of the following best explains why algae do not cause infections inside the human body?

Accepted Answer

Algae require sunlight for photosynthesis, which is not available inside the human body.

Question 5

Which of the following is NOT a correct pairing of a scientist and their contribution to microbiology?

Accepted Answer

John Snow – Discovered penicillin.

Question 6

Which of the following statements about Koch’s Postulates is correct?

Accepted Answer

They are used to prove that a specific microorganism causes a specific disease.

Question 7

A microbiologist observes a microorganism that is unicellular, has a nucleus, and moves using cilia. To which group does this organism most likely belong?

Accepted Answer

Protozoa

Question 8

Which of the following best describes the difference between a spirillum and a spirochete?

Accepted Answer

Spirilla are rigid and move by flagella, while spirochetes are flexible and move by axial filaments.

Question 9

Which of the following is the major component of the fungal cell wall?

Accepted Answer

Chitin

Question 10

A hospital is concerned about prion contamination on surgical instruments. Which of the following is the most effective method for sterilizing these instruments?

Accepted Answer

Prolonged exposure to sodium hydroxide followed by autoclaving at higher temperature and pressure

Question 11

Which of the following best explains why parasitic helminths are studied in microbiology?

Accepted Answer

They have microscopic life stages and cause diseases similar to those caused by microbes.

Question 12

Which of the following is a correct description of a dimorphic fungus?

Accepted Answer

It can exist as both a yeast and a mold depending on environmental conditions.

Question 13

Which of the following is a correct statement about the three Domains of life?

Accepted Answer

Bacteria and Archaea are both prokaryotic, while Eukarya includes all eukaryotic organisms.

Question 14

Which of the following best describes the outcome if one or more essential growth requirements for a microbe are not met?

Accepted Answer

The microbe will die or become dormant.

Question 15

Which of the following experiments provided the strongest evidence against the theory of spontaneous generation?

Accepted Answer

Pasteur’s swan-neck flask experiment

Question 16

Which of the following is a correct pairing of a protozoan class and its structure for movement?

Accepted Answer

Amoeboids – move by pseudopodia

Question 17

Which of the following best describes the composition of a virus?

Accepted Answer

Nucleic acid surrounded by a protein coat

Question 18

Which of the following is a major difference between bacteria and archaea?

Accepted Answer

Bacteria have peptidoglycan in their cell walls, while archaea do not.

Question 19

Which of the following best describes the historical significance of John Snow’s work?

Accepted Answer

He traced the source of a cholera outbreak to contaminated water, founding the field of epidemiology.

Question 20

Which of the following best describes the appearance of mold growth on bread?

Accepted Answer

It appears as a fuzzy or cottony mass due to the presence of hyphae and mycelium.

Microbiology Chapter 1 Study Guide: Introduction, History, and Microbial Diversity

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