Biology CLEP Prep Practice Exam

What process do prokaryotes use to obtain energy from their environment?

1. Fermentation

2. Photosynthesis

3. Respiration

4. Mitosis

The correct answer is: Fermentation

Prokaryotes are unicellular organisms that lack a cell nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles. Since they do not contain the necessary components for photosynthesis, such as chloroplasts, option B is incorrect. Respiration is the process of converting nutrients into usable energy, which does not apply to prokaryotes as they do not have the necessary components for this process. Mitosis is a type of cell division and is not related to energy production. Therefore, the correct answer is fermentation, which is the process by which prokaryotes obtain energy from their environment. During fermentation, glucose is partially broken down into smaller molecules without the use of oxygen, yielding a small amount of usable energy. This process is more efficient for prokaryotes as they do not have the ability to use oxygen for energy production like eukaryotes do.