Question 1

Which of the following best describes the difference between biogenesis and spontaneous generation?

Accepted Answer

Biogenesis states that living organisms arise from pre-existing life, while spontaneous generation states that living organisms arise from non-living matter.

Question 2

A hospital patient develops pneumonia after being admitted for a broken leg. The pneumonia is caused by a microbe that is part of the patient's normal microbiota. What is the best term for this microbe in this scenario?

Accepted Answer

Opportunistic pathogen

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT a step in the scientific method?

Accepted Answer

Proving a theory

Question 4

Which of the following best describes the Gram stain technique?

Accepted Answer

It differentiates bacteria based on the thickness and composition of their cell wall.

Question 5

Which of the following is the correct order of the taxonomic hierarchy from broadest to most specific?

Accepted Answer

Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species

Question 6

A scientist isolates a microbe that is acellular and requires a host cell to replicate. Which group does this microbe most likely belong to?

Accepted Answer

Virus

Question 7

Which of the following best explains why prokaryotic cells tend to be small in size?

Accepted Answer

Small size increases the surface area-to-volume ratio, allowing efficient nutrient uptake and waste removal.

Question 8

Which of the following statements about DNA and RNA is correct?

Accepted Answer

DNA is usually double-stranded, while RNA is usually single-stranded.

Question 9

A bacterial cell is placed in a hypertonic solution. What is the most likely outcome?

Accepted Answer

Water will move out of the cell, causing it to shrink.

Question 10

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

Accepted Answer

Protein synthesis

Question 11

Which of the following is a correct pairing of a biomolecule and its monomer?

Accepted Answer

Carbohydrate – Monosaccharide

Question 12

A patient is diagnosed with tuberculosis, caused by an acid-fast positive bacterium. Why are these bacteria particularly challenging to treat?

Accepted Answer

Their waxy cell wall prevents many drugs from entering the cell.

Question 13

Which of the following best describes the central dogma of molecular biology?

Accepted Answer

$$DNA 	o RNA 	o Protein$$

Question 14

During DNA replication, which enzyme is responsible for synthesizing the new DNA strand by adding nucleotides?

Accepted Answer

DNA polymerase

Question 15

Which of the following best describes a frameshift mutation?

Accepted Answer

A mutation that inserts or deletes nucleotides, altering the reading frame

Question 16

Which of the following is an example of horizontal gene transfer in bacteria?

Accepted Answer

A bacterium acquiring a plasmid from another bacterium through conjugation

Question 17

Which of the following bonds links amino acids together in a protein?

Accepted Answer

Peptide bond

Question 18

A scientist is using a streak plate technique. What is the main purpose of this method?

Accepted Answer

To isolate individual colonies from a mixed culture

Question 19

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

Accepted Answer

They have a thin peptidoglycan layer and an outer membrane.

Question 20

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

Accepted Answer

It helps bacteria adhere to surfaces and evade the immune system.

Microbiology Exam 1 Study Guide: Foundations, Cell Structure, and Genetics

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