PORTAGE LEARNING BIOD 171 MICROBIOLOGY
MODULE 1 MOCK EXAM AND STUDY GUIDE
2026
◉ Describe the two basic components of a virus.
Answer: A virus has (1) genomic material comprised of either DNA
or RNA and (2) a capsid, a membrane-like protective structure that
contains the genetic material, similar to the nucleus of a eukaryotic
cell.
◉ The ________ surrounds the capsid of some viruses.
Answer: envelope
◉ True or False. You would expect to see a viral envelope on a virus
infecting a plant cell.
Answer: False. The overwhelming majority of animal viruses are
enveloped whereas the majority of plant or bacteria-infecting
viruses are not.
◉ Rank the following viruses based on their size from largest to
smallest:
Orthomyxovirus
Poliovirus
, Variolavirus
Answer: 1. Variolavirus
2. Orthomyxovirus
3. poliovirus
Variolavirus (~200nm) > Orthomyxovirus (100-150nm) > Poliovirus
(~30nm)
◉ True or False: Highly infectious viruses undergo genome
replication prior to viral attachment and entry.
Answer: False. The viral genome is never replicated before
attachment and entry regardless of its level of infectivity.
◉ Place the following viral life cycle steps in order beginning with
viral attachment and provide a description of each step.
Uncoating:
Release:
Replication:
Attachment:
Entry:
New infection:
Answer: 1. attachment- the viral receptors attach to the host cell's
proteins
MODULE 1 MOCK EXAM AND STUDY GUIDE
2026
◉ Describe the two basic components of a virus.
Answer: A virus has (1) genomic material comprised of either DNA
or RNA and (2) a capsid, a membrane-like protective structure that
contains the genetic material, similar to the nucleus of a eukaryotic
cell.
◉ The ________ surrounds the capsid of some viruses.
Answer: envelope
◉ True or False. You would expect to see a viral envelope on a virus
infecting a plant cell.
Answer: False. The overwhelming majority of animal viruses are
enveloped whereas the majority of plant or bacteria-infecting
viruses are not.
◉ Rank the following viruses based on their size from largest to
smallest:
Orthomyxovirus
Poliovirus
, Variolavirus
Answer: 1. Variolavirus
2. Orthomyxovirus
3. poliovirus
Variolavirus (~200nm) > Orthomyxovirus (100-150nm) > Poliovirus
(~30nm)
◉ True or False: Highly infectious viruses undergo genome
replication prior to viral attachment and entry.
Answer: False. The viral genome is never replicated before
attachment and entry regardless of its level of infectivity.
◉ Place the following viral life cycle steps in order beginning with
viral attachment and provide a description of each step.
Uncoating:
Release:
Replication:
Attachment:
Entry:
New infection:
Answer: 1. attachment- the viral receptors attach to the host cell's
proteins
