Bacterial Structure & Function Questions
Q.
Bacteria are classified as:
Fungi
Eukaryotes
Viruses
Prokaryotes
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Explanation:
Bacteria are prokaryotes — they lack a membrane-bound nucleus and organelles.
Q.
The bacterial cell wall is primarily composed of:
Lignin
Chitin
Cellulose
Peptidoglycan
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Explanation:
Bacterial cell walls contain peptidoglycan (murein), unique to bacteria.
Q.
Gram-positive bacteria have cell walls with:
No peptidoglycan
Thick peptidoglycan layer
Cellulose walls
Thin peptidoglycan with outer membrane
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Explanation:
Gram-positive bacteria have a thick peptidoglycan layer that retains crystal violet stain.
Q.
Gram-negative bacteria have cell walls with:
No outer membrane
Cellulose walls
Thick peptidoglycan only
Thin peptidoglycan and outer membrane
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Explanation:
Gram-negative bacteria have a thin peptidoglycan layer and an outer lipopolysaccharide membrane.
Q.
The Gram stain distinguishes bacteria based on:
Flagella type
Presence of nucleus
Cell wall structure
Colony shape
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Explanation:
Gram staining differentiates bacteria by their cell wall structure (thickness of peptidoglycan).
Q.
Endotoxin is a component of:
Gram-positive bacteria
Gram-negative bacteria
Fungi
Viruses
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Explanation:
Endotoxin (LPS) is found in the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria.
Q.
Exotoxins are:
DNA fragments
Proteins secreted by bacteria
Cell wall components
Lipopolysaccharides
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Explanation:
Exotoxins are proteins secreted by bacteria, often highly potent toxins.
Q.
Flagella are used by bacteria for:
Reproduction
Photosynthesis
Feeding
Movement
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Explanation:
Flagella are used for motility (movement).
Q.
Pili (fimbriae) are used for:
Photosynthesis
Reproduction
Movement
Attachment and conjugation
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Explanation:
Pili mediate attachment to surfaces and conjugation (DNA transfer).
Q.
Bacterial DNA is:
A single circular chromosome
No genetic material
Multiple linear chromosomes
Always RNA
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Explanation:
Bacteria typically have a single circular chromosome and may also contain plasmids.
Q.
Plasmids are:
Part of the chromosome
Membrane proteins
Ribosomes
Small circular extrachromosomal DNA
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Explanation:
Plasmids are small, circular DNA molecules that replicate independently of the chromosome.
Q.
Bacterial ribosomes are:
Show Explanation
Explanation:
Bacterial ribosomes are 70S (30S + 50S subunits), differing from eukaryotic 80S ribosomes.
Q.
Endospores are formed by which genera?
Mycobacterium and Corynebacterium
Bacillus and Clostridium
E. coli and Salmonella
Staphylococcus and Streptococcus
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Explanation:
Endospores are formed by Bacillus and Clostridium species for survival in harsh conditions.
Q.
Endospores are primarily for:
Survival in harsh conditions
Reproduction
Movement
Photosynthesis
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Explanation:
Endospores are dormant survival forms, resistant to heat, radiation, and chemicals.
Q.
Capsule in bacteria functions primarily to:
Produce ATP
Provide motility
Synthesize proteins
Protect against phagocytosis
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Explanation:
Capsules protect bacteria from phagocytosis and aid adherence.
Q.
Mesosomes are:
Flagellar proteins
Infoldings of the plasma membrane
Small ribosomes
Plasmids
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Explanation:
Mesosomes are infoldings of the plasma membrane in bacteria (functions debated).
Q.
Mycobacterium species are:
Acid-fast due to mycolic acid
Gram-positive only
Always pathogenic
Without cell walls
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Explanation:
Mycobacteria have waxy cell walls with mycolic acid, making them acid-fast.
Q.
Which is NOT a bacterial shape?
Cocci
Spirilla
Bacilli
Amoeboid
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Explanation:
Bacterial shapes include cocci, bacilli, spirilla; 'amoeboid' is not a bacterial shape.
Q.
Cocci are:
Rod-shaped
Comma-shaped
Spherical
Spiral
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Explanation:
Cocci are spherical bacteria.
Q.
Bacilli are:
Spherical
Comma-shaped
Rod-shaped
Spiral
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Explanation:
Bacilli are rod-shaped bacteria.
Q.
Spirilla are:
Comma-shaped
Spherical
Rod-shaped
Spiral-shaped
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Explanation:
Spirilla are spiral-shaped bacteria.
Q.
Vibrio bacteria are:
Spiral-shaped
Comma-shaped
Spherical
Rod-shaped
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Explanation:
Vibrio are comma-shaped bacteria, e.g., Vibrio cholerae.
Q.
Conjugation is:
DNA transfer via bacteriophage
Uptake of free DNA
Cell division
DNA transfer via direct contact
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Explanation:
Conjugation is bacterial DNA transfer through direct cell-to-cell contact via a sex pilus.
Q.
Transformation in bacteria refers to:
Uptake of free DNA
DNA transfer via contact
Cell division
DNA transfer via virus
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Explanation:
Transformation is the uptake of free DNA from the environment by competent cells.
Q.
Transduction in bacteria refers to:
Cell division
DNA transfer via bacteriophage
Uptake of free DNA
Direct cell contact
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Explanation:
Transduction is DNA transfer between bacteria via a bacteriophage (virus).