BIOS 242 EXAM PREP VERIFIED
Fundamentals of Microbiology
COMPLETED
2023/2024
, 1. What are the three domains of life and how are they different from each other? (3 marks)
- The three domains of life are Bacteria, Archaea and Eukarya. They differ in their cell
structure, genetic material, metabolism and evolutionary history. Bacteria and Archaea are
prokaryotes, meaning they lack a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles, while
Eukarya are eukaryotes, meaning they have a nucleus and other membrane-bound
organelles. Bacteria and Archaea have circular DNA, while Eukarya have linear DNA.
Bacteria and Archaea have diverse metabolic pathways, while Eukarya mostly rely on
glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation. Bacteria and Archaea are more ancient than
Eukarya and have distinct phylogenetic trees.
2. What are the main types of microorganisms that cause infectious diseases in humans
and what are some examples of each type? (4 marks)
- The main types of microorganisms that cause infectious diseases in humans are bacteria,
viruses, fungi and parasites. Some examples of each type are:
- Bacteria: Streptococcus pyogenes (strep throat), Escherichia coli (urinary tract infection),
Mycobacterium tuberculosis (tuberculosis), Staphylococcus aureus (skin infection).
- Viruses: Influenza virus (flu), Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Hepatitis B virus
(hepatitis B), Herpes simplex virus (cold sore).
- Fungi: Candida albicans (thrush), Aspergillus fumigatus (aspergillosis), Cryptococcus
neoformans (cryptococcosis), Histoplasma capsulatum (histoplasmosis).
- Parasites: Plasmodium falciparum (malaria), Giardia lamblia (giardiasis), Toxoplasma
gondii (toxoplasmosis), Enterobius vermicularis (pinworm).
3. What are the main components of the innate immune system and how do they protect
the body from infection? (4 marks)
- The main components of the innate immune system are the physical barriers, the
chemical barriers, the cellular defenses and the inflammatory response. They protect the
body from infection by:
- Physical barriers: Preventing the entry of microorganisms into the body by covering the
skin and mucous membranes.
- Chemical barriers: Killing or inhibiting the growth of microorganisms by producing
substances such as lysozyme, acid, bile, mucus and antimicrobial peptides.
- Cellular defenses: Recognizing and destroying foreign or abnormal cells by using
phagocytes, natural killer cells, complement system and interferons.
- Inflammatory response: Triggering a local reaction that involves vasodilation, increased
permeability, recruitment of leukocytes, release of cytokines and activation of adaptive
immunity.
Fundamentals of Microbiology
COMPLETED
2023/2024
, 1. What are the three domains of life and how are they different from each other? (3 marks)
- The three domains of life are Bacteria, Archaea and Eukarya. They differ in their cell
structure, genetic material, metabolism and evolutionary history. Bacteria and Archaea are
prokaryotes, meaning they lack a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles, while
Eukarya are eukaryotes, meaning they have a nucleus and other membrane-bound
organelles. Bacteria and Archaea have circular DNA, while Eukarya have linear DNA.
Bacteria and Archaea have diverse metabolic pathways, while Eukarya mostly rely on
glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation. Bacteria and Archaea are more ancient than
Eukarya and have distinct phylogenetic trees.
2. What are the main types of microorganisms that cause infectious diseases in humans
and what are some examples of each type? (4 marks)
- The main types of microorganisms that cause infectious diseases in humans are bacteria,
viruses, fungi and parasites. Some examples of each type are:
- Bacteria: Streptococcus pyogenes (strep throat), Escherichia coli (urinary tract infection),
Mycobacterium tuberculosis (tuberculosis), Staphylococcus aureus (skin infection).
- Viruses: Influenza virus (flu), Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Hepatitis B virus
(hepatitis B), Herpes simplex virus (cold sore).
- Fungi: Candida albicans (thrush), Aspergillus fumigatus (aspergillosis), Cryptococcus
neoformans (cryptococcosis), Histoplasma capsulatum (histoplasmosis).
- Parasites: Plasmodium falciparum (malaria), Giardia lamblia (giardiasis), Toxoplasma
gondii (toxoplasmosis), Enterobius vermicularis (pinworm).
3. What are the main components of the innate immune system and how do they protect
the body from infection? (4 marks)
- The main components of the innate immune system are the physical barriers, the
chemical barriers, the cellular defenses and the inflammatory response. They protect the
body from infection by:
- Physical barriers: Preventing the entry of microorganisms into the body by covering the
skin and mucous membranes.
- Chemical barriers: Killing or inhibiting the growth of microorganisms by producing
substances such as lysozyme, acid, bile, mucus and antimicrobial peptides.
- Cellular defenses: Recognizing and destroying foreign or abnormal cells by using
phagocytes, natural killer cells, complement system and interferons.
- Inflammatory response: Triggering a local reaction that involves vasodilation, increased
permeability, recruitment of leukocytes, release of cytokines and activation of adaptive
immunity.
