Question 1

Which of the following best describes the main difference between taxonomy and phylogeny?

Accepted Answer

Taxonomy is the science of classifying organisms, while phylogeny is the study of their evolutionary history.

Question 2

Which scientist is credited with developing the three-domain system based on rRNA nucleotide sequences?

Accepted Answer

Woese

Question 3

What is the primary evidence supporting the classification of organisms into three domains?

Accepted Answer

Differences in rRNA nucleotide sequences

Question 4

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic used to differentiate the three domains: Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya?

Accepted Answer

Presence of mitochondria

Question 5

According to the endosymbiont theory, which organelles are believed to have originated from prokaryotic cells living inside ancestral eukaryotes?

Accepted Answer

Mitochondria and chloroplasts

Question 6

Which of the following statements about scientific nomenclature is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

Binomial nomenclature uses two names: genus and specific epithet.

Question 7

A population of cells derived from a single parent cell is best described as a:

Accepted Answer

Clone

Question 8

Which method would be most appropriate for identifying a bacterium that cannot be cultured in the laboratory?

Accepted Answer

Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT) using PCR

Question 9

In a slide agglutination test, what does the clumping of bacteria indicate?

Accepted Answer

The bacteria have reacted with specific antibodies.

Question 10

Which of the following best explains why binomial nomenclature is preferable to common names?

Accepted Answer

It provides a universal, consistent naming system for organisms.

Question 11

Which of the following is a key feature of the domain Archaea that distinguishes it from Bacteria?

Accepted Answer

Branched membrane lipids with ether linkages

Question 12

A newly discovered microbe is found to have 80% DNA-DNA hybridization with a known species. According to molecular taxonomy, what does this indicate?

Accepted Answer

The microbe is likely the same species as the known organism.

Question 13

Which of the following is NOT a criterion used in Bergey’s Manual of Determinative Bacteriology for identifying bacteria?

Accepted Answer

Ability to photosynthesize

Question 14

Which of the following statements about viruses is correct?

Accepted Answer

Viruses are not composed of cells and require a host cell for replication.

Question 15

Which of the following best describes the purpose of a dichotomous key in microbiology?

Accepted Answer

To identify unknown organisms through a series of paired choices

Question 16

Which of the following is a real-world application of the ELISA test?

Accepted Answer

Detecting antibodies to HIV in patient serum

Question 17

Which of the following statements about the taxonomic hierarchy is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

The species is the most specific taxonomic category.

Question 18

Which of the following methods can be used to determine the evolutionary relationships among prokaryotes?

Accepted Answer

rRNA gene sequencing

Question 19

A clinical laboratory receives a sample suspected to contain a pathogenic bacterium. Which of the following steps would be most appropriate for rapid identification?

Accepted Answer

Use a rapid identification system that performs multiple biochemical tests simultaneously.

Question 20

Which of the following best describes the role of fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) analysis in microbiology?

Accepted Answer

It provides a unique fatty acid profile for identifying bacterial species.

Classification of Microorganisms: Taxonomy, Phylogeny, and Identification

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