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 smalles
...
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.
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