Question 1

Which of the following is NOT a universal characteristic of all living cells (bacteria, archaea, and eukaryotes) as described in Table 3.1?

Accepted Answer

Ability to use host cell's metabolism for energy

Question 2

A scientist observes a microbe that lacks a nucleus, is about 1.0 μm in diameter, and can read DNA and make protein simultaneously. Which type of cell is being observed?

Accepted Answer

Prokaryotic cell

Question 3

Which of the following best explains why viruses are not considered living organisms according to the characteristics of life?

Accepted Answer

They cannot reproduce independently and lack a cytoplasmic membrane

Question 4

Which of the following statements about eukaryotic cells is correct?

Accepted Answer

They have a nucleus and are generally larger than prokaryotic cells

Question 5

A researcher is studying a cell that contains teichoic acids and a thick layer of peptidoglycan. After Gram staining, what color will the cell appear and what type of cell wall does it have?

Accepted Answer

Purple; Gram-positive

Question 6

Which structure is responsible for the movement of bacteria and is composed of a filament, hook, and basal body?

Accepted Answer

Flagella

Question 7

A bacterial cell is placed in a hypertonic solution. Predict what will happen to the cell and explain using the concept of osmosis.

Accepted Answer

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

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

They are firmly attached, organized, and may prevent recognition by host immune cells

Question 9

Which process requires energy input from the cell and can move substances against their concentration gradient?

Accepted Answer

Active transport

Question 10

A bacterium is observed to transfer DNA to another bacterium through a structure longer than fimbriae but shorter than flagella. What is this structure called?

Accepted Answer

Pilus (conjugation pilus)

Question 11

Which of the following is a unique feature of archaeal cell walls compared to bacterial cell walls?

Accepted Answer

Contain a variety of specialized polysaccharides and proteins, but no peptidoglycan

Question 12

Which of the following best explains why many antibiotics target bacterial cell walls but not eukaryotic cell membranes?

Accepted Answer

Bacterial cell walls are composed of peptidoglycan, which is not found in eukaryotes

Question 13

Which of the following organelles is responsible for ATP production in eukaryotic cells and contains its own DNA and 70S ribosomes?

Accepted Answer

Mitochondrion

Question 14

A cell is observed to have a cytoskeleton composed of tubulin microtubules, actin microfilaments, and intermediate filaments. Which type of cell is this most likely to be?

Accepted Answer

Eukaryotic cell

Question 15

Which of the following best describes the endosymbiotic theory for the origin of mitochondria?

Accepted Answer

Mitochondria originated from small aerobic prokaryotes that became internal parasites of larger anaerobic prokaryotes

Question 16

Which of the following is a function of the eukaryotic glycocalyx?

Accepted Answer

Anchors animal cells to each other and provides protection against dehydration

Question 17

A patient is given colchicine, a drug that inhibits microtubule formation. Which of the following cellular processes would be most directly affected?

Accepted Answer

Phagocytosis and formation of flagella and cilia

Question 18

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

Accepted Answer

Prokaryotic ribosomes are 70S, eukaryotic ribosomes are 80S

Question 19

Which of the following transport processes involves the chemical modification of a substance as it is brought into a prokaryotic cell?

Accepted Answer

Group translocation

Question 20

A scientist is studying a microbe that has 70S ribosomes, a fibrous cytoskeleton, and circular DNA, but its genetic code is more similar to eukaryotes than to bacteria. What type of organism is this?

Accepted Answer

Archaeon

Cell Structure and Function: Microbial Cell Types and Characteristics

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