Certified Healthcare Safety Professional (CHSP) Practice Exam

What is the primary characteristic of bacteria?

1. They have a nucleus

2. They reproduce outside living cells

3. They are single-celled prokaryotes

4. They require a host to survive

The correct answer is: They are single-celled prokaryotes

The primary characteristic of bacteria is that they are single-celled prokaryotes. This means that they do not have a nucleus or membrane-bound organelles, which is a fundamental distinction between prokaryotic cells (like bacteria) and eukaryotic cells (which contain a nucleus). The classification of bacteria as prokaryotes is significant in microbiology and healthcare, as it influences aspects such as antibiotic treatment, cellular structure, and functional mechanisms. Being single-celled means that bacteria can exist independently as individual organisms, capable of carrying out all necessary life processes within a single cell. This characteristic contributes to their adaptability in various environments. Prokaryotes have a simple structure, which allows them to multiply rapidly and can lead to dense populations in short amounts of time, impacting health and disease. The other options do not accurately capture the primary characteristic of bacteria. For instance, bacteria do not have a nucleus, as they are classified specifically as prokaryotes. While some bacteria can reproduce outside of living cells, this is not universally applicable to all bacteria, as many can also reproduce within a host. Additionally, not all bacteria require a host to survive; many can thrive in a variety of environments without the need for a living host,