Question 1

Which of the following statements best describes the difference between Bacteria and Archaea?

Accepted Answer

Bacteria have peptidoglycan in their cell walls, while Archaea lack peptidoglycan and often live in extreme environments.

Question 2

Which scientist's experiment using S-shaped flasks provided strong evidence against spontaneous generation by showing that microorganisms originate in air or fluids, not mystical forces?

Accepted Answer

Louis Pasteur

Question 3

A student observes a microbe under a compound light microscope and notes it is unicellular, has chitin in its cell wall, and absorbs organic chemicals for energy. Which group does this organism most likely belong to?

Accepted Answer

Fungi

Question 4

Which of the following best explains why water is considered a universal solvent in biological systems?

Accepted Answer

Water dissolves most ionic and polar substances, facilitating chemical reactions and transport in cells.

Question 5

Which of the following is a correct scientific name, following the rules of binomial nomenclature?

Accepted Answer

Escherichia coli

Question 6

A solution has a pH of 4. Which of the following statements is true about this solution?

Accepted Answer

It is acidic and has a high concentration of H$^+$ ions.

Question 7

Which of the following best describes the function of a buffer in a biological system?

Accepted Answer

A buffer resists significant changes in pH when small amounts of acid or base are added.

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of viruses?

Accepted Answer

They have both DNA and RNA in the same virion.

Question 9

Which of the following best describes the difference between covalent and ionic bonds?

Accepted Answer

Covalent bonds involve the sharing of electron pairs, while ionic bonds involve the transfer of electrons from one atom to another.

Question 10

A researcher is studying a microbe that is a eukaryote, has cellulose cell walls, and uses photosynthesis for energy. Which group does this organism most likely belong to?

Accepted Answer

Algae

Question 11

Which of the following is a correct statement about the metric units used in microbiology?

Accepted Answer

1 \mu m = 10^{-6} m

Question 12

Which of the following best describes the role of enzymes in biological systems?

Accepted Answer

Enzymes are specialized proteins that speed up chemical reactions without being consumed in the process.

Question 13

Which of the following is an example of an organic compound?

Accepted Answer

C_6H_{12}O_6

Question 14

Which of the following best describes the structure of ATP (adenosine triphosphate)?

Accepted Answer

ATP is made of ribose, adenine, and three phosphate groups.

Question 15

A patient is prescribed an antibiotic to treat a bacterial infection. Which of the following best describes how antibiotics work?

Accepted Answer

Antibiotics are chemicals produced by bacteria and fungi that inhibit or kill microbes.

Question 16

Which of the following best explains why Koch's postulates were important in microbiology?

Accepted Answer

They provided a systematic method to demonstrate that a specific microbe causes a specific disease.

Question 17

Which of the following is a property of water that is essential for maintaining stable body temperature in living organisms?

Accepted Answer

Water has a high heat capacity, requiring a lot of heat to change its temperature.

Question 18

Which of the following best describes the difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?

Accepted Answer

Prokaryotic cells lack a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, while eukaryotic cells have both.

Question 19

Which of the following is a correct description of an amino acid's structure?

Accepted Answer

An amino acid contains a carboxyl group ($-COOH$), an amino group ($-NH_2$), and a side group attached to an alpha-carbon.

Question 20

A scientist is measuring a bacterial cell that is 2 \mu m in length. What is this length in nanometers (nm)?

Accepted Answer

$2 \mu m = 2000$ nm

Microbiology Exam I Study Guide: Chapters 1-4

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards