Sample Questions and Answers
Which of the following best describes the function of antibodies in the immune system?
They kill pathogens directly by rupturing their cell walls.
B. They bind to pathogens and neutralize them or mark them for destruction.
C. They engulf pathogens and digest them.
D. They stimulate the production of white blood cells.
Answer: B
Which of the following is the primary reason that antimicrobial resistance occurs?
Excessive use of vaccines
B. Overuse and misuse of antibiotics
C. Genetic mutations in host cells
D. Deficiency in hygiene practices
Answer: B
Which of the following pathogens is most likely to cause a foodborne illness due to improper food handling?
Escherichia coli O157:H7
B. Pseudomonas aeruginosa
C. Neisseria gonorrhoeae
D. Human papillomavirus
Answer: A
Which of the following structures is common to both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria?
Outer membrane
B. Peptidoglycan layer
C. Lipopolysaccharide layer
D. Endospore
Answer: B
Which of the following diseases is caused by the bacterium Clostridium tetani?
Anthrax
B. Tetanus
C. Botulism
D. Diphtheria
Answer: B
Which of the following best describes the term “virulence” in the context of microbiology?
The ability of a pathogen to replicate rapidly.
B. The degree to which a pathogen can cause disease.
C. The ability of a pathogen to resist the immune response.
D. The ability of a pathogen to produce toxins.
Answer: B
Which of the following organisms is commonly responsible for causing pneumonia in immunocompromised patients?
Pneumocystis jirovecii
B. Streptococcus pneumoniae
C. Haemophilus influenzae
D. Escherichia coli
Answer: A
Which of the following is a key feature of the human microbiome?
It only includes bacteria that are harmless to humans.
B. It consists of all microorganisms in the human body, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
C. It does not influence human health.
D. It is static and does not change throughout life.
Answer: B
What is the mechanism of action of penicillin in bacterial cells?
Inhibiting protein synthesis
B. Inhibiting DNA replication
C. Disrupting the integrity of the bacterial cell wall
D. Inhibiting enzyme activity
Answer: C
Which of the following types of organisms is classified as a fungus?
Trypanosoma brucei
B. Candida albicans
C. Escherichia coli
D. Plasmodium falciparum
Answer: B
Which of the following bacterial species is commonly associated with wound infections and abscesses?
Staphylococcus aureus
B. Mycobacterium tuberculosis
C. Streptococcus pyogenes
D. Clostridium difficile
Answer: A
Which of the following is a direct method of identifying a bacterial pathogen in a clinical sample?
Serological testing
B. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
C. Staining with Gram stain
D. Blood culture
Answer: B
Which of the following is the most effective way to prevent the spread of respiratory infections in healthcare settings?
Using antibiotics to treat all patients
B. Frequent hand hygiene and wearing personal protective equipment (PPE)
C. Administering vaccines to healthcare workers
D. Avoiding the use of invasive devices
Answer: B
Which of the following best describes an opportunistic pathogen?
A pathogen that causes disease only in immunocompromised hosts.
B. A pathogen that can cause disease in healthy individuals.
C. A pathogen that requires specific environmental conditions to infect.
D. A pathogen that is capable of infecting multiple hosts.
Answer: A
Which of the following is the causative agent of “plague”?
Yersinia pestis
B. Clostridium botulinum
C. Vibrio cholerae
D. Listeria monocytogenes
Answer: A
Which of the following types of microorganisms is known for its ability to survive in extreme environments?
Algae
B. Fungi
C. Extremophiles
D. Protozoa
Answer: C
Which of the following best defines the term “incubation period”?
The time between infection and the appearance of symptoms.
B. The time taken by a pathogen to replicate in a host.
C. The period when the host immune response is triggered.
D. The time during which an infected individual is contagious.
Answer: A
Which of the following is the most effective treatment for viral infections?
Antibiotics
B. Antiviral medications
C. Antifungal medications
D. Steroids
Answer: B
Which of the following is responsible for causing the disease “chlamydia”?
Treponema pallidum
B. Chlamydia trachomatis
C. Neisseria gonorrhoeae
D. Human papillomavirus
Answer: B
Which of the following bacteria produces a toxin that causes “botulism”?
Clostridium tetani
B. Bacillus cereus
C. Clostridium botulinum
D. Staphylococcus aureus
Answer: C
What is the role of T-regulatory cells in the immune response?
They stimulate the production of antibodies by B cells.
B. They activate cytotoxic T cells to kill infected cells.
C. They regulate and suppress the immune response to prevent autoimmune reactions.
D. They engulf and digest pathogens.
Answer: C
Which of the following is a key feature of Mycoplasma bacteria?
They have a rigid cell wall composed of peptidoglycan.
B. They are obligate intracellular parasites.
C. They lack a cell wall, making them resistant to certain antibiotics.
D. They form spores that can survive in harsh conditions.
Answer: C
Which of the following best describes the relationship between a human host and its microbiota?
The microbiota is always harmful and causes disease.
B. The microbiota contributes to digestion and immune function, often benefiting the host.
C. The microbiota is only found in the human gastrointestinal tract.
D. The microbiota has no significant role in the human body.
Answer: B
Which of the following is the causative agent of “dengue fever”?
Zika virus
B. Dengue virus
C. West Nile virus
D. Epstein-Barr virus
Answer: B
Which of the following describes the function of the bacterial capsule?
To produce enzymes that break down host tissue
B. To protect the bacteria from being engulfed by host immune cells
C. To allow the bacteria to adhere to host cells
D. To produce toxins that damage host tissues
Answer: B
Which of the following best describes the process of antigen presentation?
Immune cells recognize pathogens and produce antibodies.
B. Pathogen fragments are displayed on the surface of immune cells to trigger an immune response.
C. The immune system produces cytokines to suppress pathogen replication.
D. Pathogens are directly destroyed by immune cells.
Answer: B
Which of the following bacteria is most commonly associated with “strep throat”?
Streptococcus pneumoniae
B. Streptococcus pyogenes
C. Staphylococcus aureus
D. Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Answer: B
Which of the following is a key characteristic of the influenza virus?
It can cause a chronic infection with lifelong immunity.
B. It is transmitted primarily through the air via respiratory droplets.
C. It only infects the gastrointestinal tract.
D. It is resistant to vaccines and cannot be prevented.
Answer: B
Which of the following is a common indicator of bacterial infection in a clinical laboratory?
High levels of C-reactive protein (CRP)
B. Low white blood cell count
C. High levels of albumin
D. Low blood glucose levels
Answer: A
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