Sample Questions: Microbiology
Which of the following is not true about antigenic drift? a. It is characterized by minor mutations in HA and NA. b. It is responsible for seasonal variation in influenza. c. It makes previous year's immunity less effective. d. It involves concurrent infection with re-assortment of viral RNA segments. e. It is responsible for seasonal influenza.
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Which of the following viruses is NOT transmitted by an insect? A. Adenovirus B. Zika C. Malaria D. West Nile E. Dengue
A. Adenovirus
A respiratory tract infection can result in bacterial meningitis. A. True B. False
A. True
Infections of the eye can be caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi or parasites. A. True B. False
A. True
Selection for resistance to one antibiotic can sometimes lead to resistance to other unrelated antibiotics. A. True B. False
A. True
The bacterium Listeria monocytogenes causes a mild illness in most individuals. A. True B. False
A. True
The host specificity of a flu virus is dependent on the hemagglutin type. A. True B. False
A. True
We have more microbial genes than human genes. A. True B. False
A. True
Dysbiosis is: A. a microbial imbalance B. an absence of microbes C. a type of probiotic D. a bad diet E. a fungal infection
A. a microbial imbalance
The reservoir for the causative agent of Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever is thought to be: A. bats B. contaminated water C. non-human primates D. humans E. chinchillas
A. bats
MALDI-TOF MS identifies bacteria on the basis of ____________? A. protein fingerprint B. plasmid profile C. DNA sequence D. surface antigens E. gas chromatography
A. protein fingerprint
Identification by both MALDI-TOF MS and 16S sequencing is based largely on small differences in: A. ribosome components B. DNA sequences C. biochemical pathways D. surface antigens E. RNA sequences
A. ribosome components
A transducing phage contains: A. Ribosomal protein B. A piece of bacterial DNA C. Only phage DNA D. Only ribosomal RNA E. tRNA only
B. A piece of bacterial DNA
Which of the following statements is correct? A. A strain is a group that includes many species. B. A species is a group that includes many strains. C. An isolate is a group that contains many strains. D. Isolates cannot be identical. E. Two strains can be identical
B. A species is a group that includes many strains.
Which genus of mosquito most commonly transmits Zika? A. Culex B. Aedes C. Mansonia D. Anopheles E. Culiseta
B. Aedes
The three pathogens that cause meningitis, H. influenza, N. Menigitidis, S. pneumoniae, have which of the following characteristics in common? A. Gram reaction B. Capsule formation C. Motility D. Intracellular growth E. Complement degradation
B. Capsule formation
Infection by Mycoplasma pneumoniae can be treated with the cell wall inhibitor, ampicillin A. True B. False
B. False
Probiotics are currently regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A. True B. False
B. False
The FDA regulates probiotics as medications. A. True B. False
B. False
There is currently an effective vaccine for Zika. A. True B. False
B. False
M. tuberculosis evades the immune system by: A. Secretion of streptolysin B. Living within macrophages C. Capsule production D. Motility E. Inactivating complement
B. Living within macrophages
How do bacteria like Lactobacillus bulgaris and Streptococcus thermophilus help preserve yogurt? A. The pH is raised because bacterial enzymes decarboxylate amino acids. B. The pH is lowered from fermentation pathways that produce acid. C. The pH stays the same, but both strains produce antibiotics.
B. The pH is lowered from fermentation pathways that produce acid.
Which of the following is NOT a protective mechanism of the eye? A. lysozyme B. amylase C. normal microflora D. IgA E. bony sclera
B. amylase
True or False? Most people infected with M. tuberculosis develop active TB (ATBD). A. True B. False
B. false
A good probiotic has all of the following properties EXCEPT: A. it has resistance to bile acid and oxygen B. it is of non-human origin C. it is able to adhere to intestinal mucosa D. it can colonize in human GI tract E. it has good efficacy and safety
B. it is of non-human origin
Comparing Zika and SARS, which of the following is true? A. Only Zika has an effective vaccine. B. Zika has a higher death rate. C. Both are caused by viruses. D. Effective treatments exist for both. E. Only Zika is highly contagious.
C. Both are caused by viruses.
Coliforms are members of the family ______________ that ____________. A. Staphylococcaceae, ferment lactose B. Staphylococcaceae, ferment mannitol C. Enterobacteriaceae, ferment lactose D. Enterobacteriaceae, ferment sorbitol E. Enterobacteriaceae, do not ferment sugars
C. Enterobacteriaceae, ferment lactose
Which of the following is NOT true about prion diseases? A. Prions are difficult to disinfect. B. They are caused by aggregation of the prion protein. C. Prion diseases are easily treatable. D. Cells carry a normal copy of the prion protein gene. E. The infectious form of the prion protein converts the normal form.
C. Prion diseases are easily treatable.
Which of the following CNS infections is caused by a virus? A. Naegleria fowleri B. Leprosy C. Rabies D. Acanthamoeba E. African sleeping sickness
C. Rabies
Which of the following statements best describes fecal coliforms in food safety testing? A. An absence indicates that no pathogens are present. B. A presence indicates that pathogens are present. C. They are indicators of fecal contamination. D. Plate culturing is not useful since viruses are not detected. E. It should only be performed on foods that are imported.
C. They are indicators of fecal contamination.
What is the most common source of Salmonella sp. contamination in food? (Where does the Salmonella come from?) A. domestic cucumbers B. imported cucumbers C. animal sources D. infected grocery store workers E. tomatoes
C. animal sources
The ultimate reservoir hosts for the MERS Coronavirus is now thought to be: A. non-human primates B. contaminated water C. bats D. humans E. chinchillas
C. bats
Strep throat and common cold infections share many symptoms, but Strep throat does not usually involve: A. fever B. sore throat C. coughing D. fatigue E. painful swallowing
C. coughing
Norovirus outbreaks occur most often: A. in daycares B. on cruiseships C. in long-term care facilities D. in college dorms E. in restaurants
C. in long-term care facilities
Which of the following strategies for TB control does the World Health Organization recommend? A. giving out mosquito bed nets B. cooking meat to the proper temperature C. observing patients as they take antibiotics D. installing wells with clean water E. doubling the drug dose for active TB
C. observing patients as they take antibiotics
The consequences of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection depend on all of the following EXCEPT the patient's: A. age B. ethnicity C. vaccination status D. immune status E. access to antiviral drugs
C. vaccination status
BCG vaccination is discouraged in the United States because: A. it causes a positive skin test B. it is ineffective against latent TB C. it is ineffective against childhood TB D. A and B E. A, B and C
D. A and B
Fingerprints generated from unknown bacteria by MALDI-TOF MS analysis are compared with reference fingerprints from known bacterial strains. What do the peaks in the fingerprints represent? A. detection by the instrument at the end of the time of flight (TOF) tube B. the amount of time it took for the ionized proteins to travel through the TOF C. the relative size of each ionized protein D. All of the above E. None of the above is correct
D. All of the above
Brushing, flossing and plaque removal are important in reducing: A. dental caries B. gingivitis C. periodontitis D. All of the above are correct. E. None of the above are correct.
D. All of the above are correct.
What treatment is recommended for most cases of bacterial gastroenteritis? A. Lots of water B. Antibiotics and lots of water C. Antibiotics and lots of rest D. Fluids containing glucose and electrolytes (ORT) E. Antibiotics and ORT
D. Fluids containing glucose and electrolytes (ORT)
Comparing Zika and Malaria, which of the following statements is true? A. They are both caused by viruses. B. Effective drug combinations exist for both. C. Only Zika has an effective vaccine. D. Malaria has a higher death rate. E. Only Zika is vertically transmitted.
D. Malaria has a higher death rate.
What is the best way to prevent viral encephalitis? A. Stay at home as much as possible B. Handwashing C. Vaccination D. Mosquito control E. Good nutrition
D. Mosquito control
Six types of E. coli can produce diarrhea in infected individuals. Which of the following statements about E. coli-induced diarrhea is NOT true? A. The site of infection differs depending on the type. B. The symptoms are different for each type. C. Each type is spread via fecal-oral route. D. Toxins are rarely produced. E. The prevalence of each type depends on the geographical location.
D. Toxins are rarely produced.
Which of the following disorders is not due to a fungal infection? A. Pneumocystis pneumonia B. Coccidioiomycosis C. Histoplasmosis D. Tuberculosis E. Candidiasis
D. Tuberculosis
Bacterial meningitis could develop from: A. otitis media B. pneumonia C. sinusitis D. all of the above E. None of the above are correct
D. all of the above
Which of the following functions is NOT performed by a microbe? A. nitrogen fixation B. food fermentation C. leaf decomposition D. astronomy E. oxygen production
D. astronomy
Damage to these cells during a flu infection can lead to secondary bacterial infections. A. B cells B. T cells C. Langerhans D. ciliated epithelial E. phagocytes
D. ciliated epithelial
Which of the following is NOT true about the Zika virus? A. it can be transmitted by mosquitoes. B. it can cross the placenta. C. it can be transmitted by semen. D. it can be prevented by vaccination E. it can travel to the brain.
D. it can be prevented by vaccination
Virulence factors of S. pyogenes include all of the following EXCEPT: A. tissue degrading enzymes B. M and F proteins C. hyaluronic acid capsule D. mycolic acid cell wall E. C5a peptidase
D. mycolic acid cell wall
Which of the following is NOT an advantage of the live Sabine polio vaccine over the inactivated Salk polio vaccine? A. better immunity B. person-person transmission C. better herd immunity D. safety E. less expensive
D. safety
The airflow and filters in a biosafety cabinet protect which of the following from contamination: A. The person working B. The sample in the cabinet (hood) C. The outdoor environment D. A and B E. A, B and C
E. A, B and C
A coliform: A. is a Gram-negative lactose-fermenter B. is a dark pink colony on a MAC plate C. appears as a pink rod on a Gram stain D. can be used as an indicator of food quality E. All of the above
E. All of the above
Healthy adults who carry encapsulated strains of Streptococcus pneumonia as part of their normal microbiota may develop pneumonia following: A. alcohol or narcotic abuse B. heart of lung disease C. upper respiratory viral infection D. diabetes E. All of the above
E. All of the above
Legionella pneumophila is found in: A. Water-coolers B. Amoeba C. Biofilms D. Chlorinated swimming pools E. All of the above
E. All of the above
Microbes can enter the CNS via: A. the blood when levels are high B. from nearby infected sites like nose and ears C. trauma D. travel along nerves E. All of the above
E. All of the above
Based on our data and the advice of the CDC, pregnant women should avoid eating: A. fresh produce B. sprouts C. lunch meat D. A and B E. B and C
E. B and C
Yogurt strains appear purple because: A. many bacterial cells are dead B. they are Gram-positive C. they are Gram-negative D. cells retain crystal violet-iodine E. B and D
E. B and D
Clostridium botulinum produces a neurotoxin, which can cause: A. neurospasms B. increased muscle tone C. progressive flaccid paralysis D. death E. Both C and D
E. Both C and D
What of the following statements about microbial succession is NOT true? A. The proportions of various microbes in a population change over time. B. Some microbes produce substances that inhibit the growth of others. C. Some microbes exhaust (use) a limiting nutrient. D. Some microbes produce a substance that can be used by others. E. Microbes cooperate so that the proportion of each stays the same.
E. Microbes cooperate so that the proportion of each stays the same.
Which of the following is NOT a flea or insect borne disease? A. Dengue B. Zika C. Malaria D. West Nile E. Rhinovirus
E. Rhinovirus
During the Chipotle E. coli outbreak of 2015-16, CDC scientists determined that the isolates from patients in Oregon and Washington were the same outbreak strain as isolates from patients on the East Coast using what technique? A. serotyping B. pulsed field gel electrophoresis C. toxin profiling D. plasmid profiling E. whole genome sequencing
E. whole genome sequencing
Rheumatic fever can develop as a complication of infection with: a. Streptococcus pyogenes b. Staphylococcus aureus c. Haemophilus influenza d. Rhinovirus e. Mycoplasma pneumoniae
a. Streptococcus pyogenes
Identification by both MALDI-TOF and 16S sequencing is based largely on small differences in: a. ribosome components b. DNA sequences c. biochemical pathways d. surface antigens e. RNA sequences
a. ribosome components
Meningitis can result from a respiratory infection. a. true b. false
a. true
Which of the following statements is correct? a. a strain is a group that includes many species b. a species is a group that includes many strains c. an isolate is a group that contains many strains d. two strains can be identical
b. a species is a group that includes many strains
Conjunctivitis is always the result of infection. a. true b. false
b. false
Latent TB can be spread from person to person a. true b. false
b. false
Most people infected with M. tuberculosis typically develop active TB. a. true b. false
b. false
The same bacteria are usually responsible for meningitis in adults and newborns a. true b. false
b. false
M. tuberculosis evades the immune system by: a. secretion of streptolysin b. living within macrophages c. capsule production d. motility e. inactivating complement
b. living within macrophages
The entire set of microbes within a community is called: a. metagenome b. microbiome c. metabolome
b. microbiome
How do bacteria like Lactobacillus bulgaris and Streptococcus thermophilus help preserve yogurt? a. the pH is raised because bacterial enzymes decarboxylate amino acids b. the pH is lowered from fermentation pathways that produce acid c. the pH stays the same, but both strains produce antibiotics
b. the pH is lowered from fermentation pathways that produce acid
An increase in the __________ will decrease the likelihood of infection. a. Number of microbes b. Virulence of microbes c. Host immunity
c. Host immunity
The infectious agent in a prion disease is: a. A virus b. A bacteria c. a misfolded protein d. A protozoa e. A yeast
c. a misfolded protein
This animal is an important reservoir for emerging zoonotic infections: a. palm civets b. dogs c. bats d. camels e. turtles
c. bats
A decrease in the __________ will increase the likelihood of infection. a. number of microbes b. virulence of microbes c. host immunity
c. host immunity
An increase in the __________ will decrease the likelihood of infection. a. number of microbes b. virulence of microbes c. host immunity
c. host immunity
Which of the following CNS diseases is not caused by a virus? a. Polio b. West Nile c. Leprosy d. Rabies e. Herpes simplex
c. leprosy
Where did the first MDR TB infection begin? a. nursing home b. community center c. refugee camp
c. refugee camp
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of infection with Trichinella spiralis? a. Muscle pain b. Fever c. Chills d. Decrease in eosinophils e. Elevation of enzyme associated with muscle damage
d. Decrease in eosinophils
Which of the following is NOT true about polio? a. It can be spread by fecal-oral route b. It can be acquired by respiratory route c. It can cause muscle weakness d. It is caused by bacteria e. It can cause paralysis
d. It is caused by bacteria
BCG vaccination is discouraged in the united states because: a. it causes a positive skin test b. it is ineffective against latent TB c. it is ineffective against childhood TB d. a and b e. a, b, and c
d. a and b
What is in the flu vaccine? a. influenza a b. influenza b c. influenza c d. a and b e. all strains of influenza
d. a and b
Bacterial meningitis could develop from: a. otitis media b. sinusitis c. pneumonia d. all of the above e. none of the above
d. all of the above
Damage to these cells during a flu infection can lead to secondary bacterial infections: a. B cells b. T cells c. langerhans d. ciliated epithelial e. phagocytes
d. ciliated epithelial
Strep throat and common cold infections share many symptoms, but strep throat does not usually involve: a. fever b. painful swallowing c. sore throat d. coughing e. fatigue
d. coughing
A primary reason there is no effective vaccine against S. pyogenes is that it: a. rarely causes disease in the U.S. b. has a capsule c. inactivates complement components d. has too many M protein types e. can hide inside macrophages
d. has too many M protein types
Which of the following is NOT true about polio? a. it can be spread by fecal-oral routs b. it can be acquired by respiratory route c. it can cause muscle weakness d. it is caused by bacteria e. it can cause paralysis
d. it is caused by bacteria
Otitis media is an infection of the: a. conjunctiva b. Outer ear c. Inner ear d. middle ear e. Pinna
d. middle ear
Virulence factors of S. pyogenes include all of the following EXCEPT: a. tissue degrading enzymes b. M and F proteins c. hyaluronic acid capsule d. mycolic acid cell wall e. c5a peptidase
d. mycelia acid cell wall
Some people carry "normal microbiota of the upper respiratory tract that can cause: a. Otitis media b. Pneumonia c. Strep throat d. Endocarditis e. All of the above
e. All of the above
The chain of infection can be broken by: a. Isolating the patient b. Disinfecting surfaces c. Washing hands d. Vaccination e. All of the above
e. All of the above
A recent report in Science describes a new antimicrobial drug active against __________ that was isolated from a human nasal microbiome. a. Some fungal pathogens b. Rhinovirus c. Staphylococcus aureus d. MRSA e. C and D
e. C and D
Healthy adults who carry encapsulated strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae as part of their normal microbiota may develop pneumonia following: a. alcohol or narcotic use b. heart or lung disease c. upper respiratory viral infection d. diabetes e. all of the above
e. all of the above
Some people carry "normal microbiota" of the upper respiratory tract that can cause: a. otitis media b. pneumonia c. strep throat d. endocarditis e. all of the above
e. all of the above
Yogurt strains appear purple because: a. many bacterial cells are dead b. they are gram + c. they are gram - d. cells retain crystal violet-iodine e. b and d
e. b and d
A recent report in Science describes a new antimicrobial drug against __________ that was isolated froma a human nasal microbe. a. some fungal pathogens b. rhinovirus c. staphylococcus aureus d. MRSA e. c and d
e. c and d
Bacteria contain all of the following except: a. ribosomal protein b. dna c. rna d. cell wall e. nucleus
e. nucleus
Which of the following functions is NOT performed by a microbe? a. nitrogen fixation b. oxygen production c. decomposition d. vitamin production e. spontaneous generation
e. spontaneous generation
All of the following are protection mechanisms of the eye except: a. Sclera b. Eyelashes c. IgA d. Bony orbits e. tympanic membrane
e. tympanic membrane
