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Portage Microbiology Final Exam Questions and Answers | Latest Version | 2025/2026 | Correct & Verified
What is the primary function of bacterial endospores?✔✔ To survive harsh environmental conditions
What is the shape of cocci bacteria?✔✔ Spherical
What type of microorganism lacks a nucleus?✔✔ Prokaryote
What staining technique is used to classify bacteria based on cell wall structure?✔✔ Gram staining
What color do Gram-positive bacteria appear after Gram staining?✔✔ Purple
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What color do Gram-negative bacteria appear after Gram staining?✔✔ Pink
What component of the Gram-positive cell wall retains crystal violet stain?✔✔ Thick peptidoglycan layer
What is the function of the bacterial capsule?✔✔ Protection from phagocytosis
What bacterial structure is responsible for motility?✔✔ Flagella
What is the term for bacteria that require oxygen to grow?✔✔ Obligate aerobes
What type of bacteria can grow without oxygen but prefer oxygen?✔✔ Facultative anaerobes
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What is the method used to sterilize media and tools in microbiology labs?✔✔ Autoclaving
What temperature and pressure are typically used in an autoclave?✔✔ 121°C and 15 psi
What phase of bacterial growth shows rapid cell division?✔✔ Log phase
What phase of bacterial growth shows no net increase in cell number?✔✔ Stationary phase
What is the term for a virus that infects bacteria?✔✔ Bacteriophage
What is the term for viral replication that immediately destroys the host cell?✔✔ Lytic cycle
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What is the term for viral DNA incorporated into the host genome?✔✔ Prophage
What is the main structure used by viruses to attach to host cells?✔✔ Surface proteins or spikes
What do you call a protein shell surrounding a viral genome?✔✔ Capsid
What type of immunity results from recovery from an infection?✔✔ Active natural immunity
What type of immunity is passed from mother to baby?✔✔ Passive natural immunity
What immune cells are responsible for producing antibodies?✔✔ B cells
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