SAT II Biology E : Bacteria and Prokaryotes

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT II Biology E

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Microbiology

An experiment was conducted in which motile bacteria were grown in petri dishes containing different concentrations of a collection of nutrients called yeast extract tryptone sea salts (YTSS). The bacterial growth of each dish was measured and the results are displayed in the given bar graph.

Graph

Which of the following is the most optimal concentration of YTSS for bacterial growth?

Possible Answers:

 YTSS

 YTSS

 YTSS

 YTSS

 YTSS

Correct answer:

 YTSS

Explanation:

This question examines your ability to read a graph correctly. The optimal concentration of YTSS for bacterial growth is the concentration of YTSS in the dish that allowed for the most bacterial growth in 24 hours. Looking across the vertical bars, which represent bacterial growth in millimeters, the dish that had the highest amount of bacterial growth was the dish containing a concentration of  YTSS with ~54mm. And so the optimal concentration of YTSS for bacterial growth must be  YTSS.

Example Question #1 : Microbiology

Which of the following structures is not found in prokaryotic cells?

Possible Answers:

Cell wall

Plasma membrane

Plasmid

Ribosome

Nucleus

Correct answer:

Nucleus

Explanation:

The correct answer is the "nucleus." Prokaryotes generally do not have membrane-enclosed organelles, and they do not have a nucleus. Plasmids are found in all prokaryotes, as well as in fungi. The other structures are found in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes.

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