Question 1

Which of the following best describes the nucleoid in a bacterial cell?

Accepted Answer

An aggregated structure of genomic DNA and proteins, not surrounded by a membrane.

Question 2

How do bacteria fit 4-6 million base pairs of DNA into a small cell?

Accepted Answer

By supercoiling the DNA and associating it with proteins to compact its volume.

Question 3

Which internal bacterial structure provides buoyancy to photosynthetic aquatic bacteria?

Accepted Answer

Gas vesicles

Question 4

What is the primary function of polyphosphate granules in bacteria?

Accepted Answer

To store phosphate and high-energy inorganic phosphate esters for metabolic reactions

Question 5

Which of the following is TRUE about bacterial endospores?

Accepted Answer

They are the most resistant forms of life on earth.

Question 6

Spirochetes are distinguished from other bacteria by which feature?

Accepted Answer

Presence of internal flagella (endoflagella) located in the periplasmic space

Question 7

Which experiment demonstrated the fragility of gas vesicles in cyanobacteria?

Accepted Answer

The Hammer experiment, where pressure destroyed gas vesicles causing cells to sink

Question 8

Which storage polymer is a large branched polymer of glucose found in prokaryotes?

Accepted Answer

Glycogen

Question 9

What is the main role of endospores in bacterial survival?

Accepted Answer

To allow bacteria to survive extreme environmental conditions

Question 10

Which of the following statements about the nucleoid is correct?

Accepted Answer

It can be visualized by transmission electron microscopy and does not have a specific shape.

Question 11

Which of the following is NOT a function of intracellular granules in bacteria?

Accepted Answer

Motility

Question 12

Which molecule is a key component of the bacterial endospore core, helping to stabilize DNA?

Accepted Answer

Dipicolinic acid

Question 13

A bacterium is exposed to ultrasonic sound that destroys all gas vesicles. What is the most likely outcome?

Accepted Answer

The bacterium will sink until it synthesizes new gas vesicles to regain buoyancy.

Question 14

Which of the following is a function of endoflagella in spirochetes?

Accepted Answer

Providing corkscrew-shaped motility

Question 15

Which of the following is TRUE regarding the structure of the nucleoid?

Accepted Answer

It consists of supercoiled circular DNA associated with proteins.

Question 16

Which of the following storage inclusions is involved in sulfur metabolism in bacteria?

Accepted Answer

Sulfur globules

Question 17

Which of the following is a correct statement about gas vesicles?

Accepted Answer

They are hollow protein tubes permeable to gas but impermeable to water.

Question 18

Which of the following is NOT a component of the bacterial endospore structure?

Accepted Answer

Capsule

Question 19

Which of the following is a real-world application of understanding gas vesicle fragility in bacteria?

Accepted Answer

Designing methods to control harmful algal blooms by collapsing gas vesicles

Question 20

Which of the following best explains why endospores are highly resistant to heat and chemicals?

Accepted Answer

They have multiple protective layers and contain dipicolinic acid in the core.

Structure and Function of Bacterial Internal Components

Study Guide - Practice Questions