Portage Learning: Microbiology Final Exam Set Already Passed

Portage Learning: Microbiology Final

Exam Set Already Passed

Microbiology is the study of what? ✔✔Microbiology is the study of microbes (microorganisms

and viruses) and their biological processes.

What is the smallest biological unit of life? ✔✔A cell

What is a macromolecule? ✔✔A macromolecule is classified as a complex molecule that is

composed from smaller subunits.

What are the four main types of macromolecules? ✔✔Proteins, nucleic acids, lipids and

carbohydrates

What various functions do proteins have in a cell? ✔✔Proteins may facilitate the movement of

materials in or out of a cell. Some can act as enzymes that catalyze, or speed up, biochemical

processes. Others play a structural role while other proteins, such as filaments, enable movement.

What are the two major types of nucleic acids and their roles? ✔✔There are two major types of

nucleic acids: DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid). Nucleic acids are

chemical molecules that carry genetic information within the cell. DNA contains a vast amount of

hereditary information and is responsible for the inheritable characteristics of living organisms.

RNA is responsible for deciphering the hereditary information in DNA and using it to synthesize

proteins.

What is the plasma membrane, and what is it made up of? ✔✔The plasma membrane serves the

cell as a surrounding barrier that separates the inside of the cell from the outside surrounding

environment. The plasma membrane also restricts the movement of materials (water, nutrients,

etc) either in or out of the cell, thus allowing a cells to absorb and keep what is needed (influx)

while also preventing the escape (out flux) of essential nutrients. The plasma membrane is

composed of lipids (hydrophobic hydrocarbons).

What are the three main components of polysaccharides? ✔✔Polysaccharides are composed of

carbon, hydrogen and oxygen atoms. Examples would include, C6H12O6 (glucose) C12H22O11

(sucrose) and C6H10O5 (cellulose).

What is the primary difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells? ✔✔Eukaryotic cells

contain a nucleus, a membrane enclosed region within the cell that contains the genetic material.

Prokaryotic cells do not have a nucleus and can be further classified as either Bacteria or Archaea.

What are the main morphologies of bacteria? ✔✔Bacteria can be described as coccus

(round/spherical), bacillus (rod), vibrio (curved rod) or spirillum (spiral/corkscrew).

Which group (classification) of microbes is noted for its ability to survive under harsh conditions?

✔✔Archaea. They are able to survive in extremely harsh environmental conditions such as high

salt levels, acid conditions, high temperatures and oxygen-poor conditions.

What are the four main classifications of Eukarya? ✔✔Eukaryotic microorganisms are classified

as either belonging to Animalia, Plantae, Fungi or Protista.

Can viruses be classified as either prokaryotic or eukaryotic? ✔✔No. Viruses are considered

neither prokaryotic nor eukaryotic. Viruses are not considered living and do not replicate on their

own, meaning they must replicate within a host.

The lipid bilayer of the plasma membrane is composed of what? ✔✔The cell membrane is a bilayer

composed primarily of amphipathic phospholipids, meaning they contain a polar hydrophilic

(water loving) head group and a non-polar hydrophobic (water fearing) tail region. The lipid

bilayer is situated in such a way where the non-polar tail groups face inward thus orienting the

polar head groups to interact with water both outside and inside of the cell.

What are the primary cellular organelles described in this module? Be sure to know the roles of

each. ✔✔Ribosomes (protein synthesis), ER (site of protein synthesis), Golgi (protein

modification and distribution), lysosomes (waste disposal), mitochondria (ATP generation) and

chloroplasts (plants only; site of photosynthesis).

Be able to identify the primary organelles within a cell as shown in Figures 1.4 ✔✔Prokaryotic

Cell

Be able to identify the primary organelles within a cell as shown in Figures 1.5 ✔✔Eukaryotic

Cell

Be able to identify the primary organelles within a cell as shown in Figures 1.6. ✔✔EC magnified

True/False. A virus is considered a microorganism. ✔✔False.

Viruses are not living and as such are not considered microorganisms. Viruses can, however, be

classified as microbes, a more general term that includes microorganisms and viruses.

What is the smallest biological unit of life? ✔✔A cell

At a generalized level, all cells are comprised of what? ✔✔Macromolecules*

*A student may also answer: Proteins, Lipids, Nucleic acids and Carbohydrates, but they must

answer with all four to be fully correct.

How many different types of amino acids are available from which to make proteins? ✔✔20

How many amino acids are classified as being essential amino acids? ✔✔9

What are the two major types of nucleic acids and their roles? ✔✔There are two major types of

nucleic acids: DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid). Nucleic acids are

chemical molecules that carry genetic information within the cell. DNA contains a vast amount of

hereditary information and is responsible for the inheritable characteristics of living organisms.

RNA is responsible for deciphering the hereditary information in DNA and using it to synthesize

proteins.

Complete the following DNA strand, and indicate how many bonds are formed for each

complementary pair:

3' GGTCATCG 5'5' CC AGC 3' ✔✔3' GGTCATCG 5'5' CCAGTAGC 3'There are 2 bonds formed

between A and T, and 3 bonds between G and C.

The plasma membrane (select all that are true):

A) Only restricts movement of materials into the cell.

B) Is often a bilyaer comprised of lipids

C) Cannot prevent essential nutrients from escaping

D)Contains hydrophobic tails pointing inward. ✔✔B & D

How many carbon atoms are present in glucose? ✔✔6, The molecular formula of Glucose is

C6H12O6

True of False: Eukaryotic cells do not have a nucleus. ✔✔False, Eukaryotic cells do have a nucleus

(prokaryotic cells do not).

True or False: Prokaryotic cells can be subdivided into Bacteria and Archaea. ✔✔True

True or False: Archaea is noted for its ability to survive under harsh conditions. ✔✔True, Archaea

can often be found in harsh conditions such as high salt levels, high acid conditions, high

temperatures and even oxygen-poor conditions.