Portage Learning Microbiology Final Exam Questions and
Answers
Question 1
A micrometer is defined as
A. 10-3
B. 10-6
C.10-9
D. 10-12
Correct Answer
B. A micrometer is one-millionth of a meter.
Question 2
Which of the following diseases does a linear, single-stranded RNA virus cause?
A. Measles
B. Mumps
C. Rubella
D. B and C
E. All of the above
Correct Answer
E. Measles, mumps and rubella are all linear, single-stranded RNA viruses.
Page 1 of 49
,Question 3
What is the plasma membrane and what is it made up of?
Correct Answer
The plasma membrane serves the cell as a surrounding barrier that separates the inside of the cell from the outside
surrounding environment.
the plasma membrane also restricts the movement of materials (water, nutrients, etc) either in or out of the cell, thus
allowing a cells to absorb and keep what is needed (influx) while also preventing the escape (out flux) of essential
nutrients.
The plasma membrane is composed of lipids (hydrophobic hydrocarbons).
Question 4
True or False: Enzymes are polysaccharides that catalyze chemical reactions.
Correct Answer
False. Enzymes are proteins that catalyze chemical reactions
Question 5
True or False: If a patient is suspected of having malaria, a Giemsa stain would be an appropriate differential test to
perform.
Correct Answer
True. Giemsa stains are often used in the clinical setting to aid in the diagnosis of blood parasites.
Page 2 of 49
,Question 6
True or False. You can become infected with TB simply by sharing a drink with someone who is currently infected with TB.
Correct Answer
False. As per the Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines, simply shaking someone's hand, sharing a drink or even
kissing cannot spread TB.
Question 7
A drug company is trying to develop a new drug that will inhibit the release of newly produced viral particles. Would the
drug company target hemagglutinin proteins or neuraminidase proteins? Why?
Correct Answer
Neuraminidase (N) proteins are directly involved in the budding and release of new viral particles and would thus be the
correct target.
Hemagglutinin (HA) proteins would not be advisable targets as they are directly involved in viral attachment and entry
into the host cell.
Question 8
True or False. Tuberculosis is best identified by a Gram stain.
Correct Answer
False. Mycobacterium show poor Gram staining and show be screened via an acid-fast stain.
Page 3 of 49
, Question 9
What small (~30nm) single-stranded, non-enveloped RNA virus targets the CNS (central nervous system), causing
potentially catastrophic damage to motor neurons?
Correct Answer
Polio, also known as poliomyelitis
Question 10
True or False: Metabolism is a controlled set of biochemical reactions that occur in living organisms in order to maintain
life.
Correct Answer
True
Question 11
True or False. Directly ingesting clostridium or its associated spores will not cause illness in adults.
Correct Answer
True. Only the direct ingestion of the pre-formed toxin will cause disease.
Page 4 of 49
Answers
Question 1
A micrometer is defined as
A. 10-3
B. 10-6
C.10-9
D. 10-12
Correct Answer
B. A micrometer is one-millionth of a meter.
Question 2
Which of the following diseases does a linear, single-stranded RNA virus cause?
A. Measles
B. Mumps
C. Rubella
D. B and C
E. All of the above
Correct Answer
E. Measles, mumps and rubella are all linear, single-stranded RNA viruses.
Page 1 of 49
,Question 3
What is the plasma membrane and what is it made up of?
Correct Answer
The plasma membrane serves the cell as a surrounding barrier that separates the inside of the cell from the outside
surrounding environment.
the plasma membrane also restricts the movement of materials (water, nutrients, etc) either in or out of the cell, thus
allowing a cells to absorb and keep what is needed (influx) while also preventing the escape (out flux) of essential
nutrients.
The plasma membrane is composed of lipids (hydrophobic hydrocarbons).
Question 4
True or False: Enzymes are polysaccharides that catalyze chemical reactions.
Correct Answer
False. Enzymes are proteins that catalyze chemical reactions
Question 5
True or False: If a patient is suspected of having malaria, a Giemsa stain would be an appropriate differential test to
perform.
Correct Answer
True. Giemsa stains are often used in the clinical setting to aid in the diagnosis of blood parasites.
Page 2 of 49
,Question 6
True or False. You can become infected with TB simply by sharing a drink with someone who is currently infected with TB.
Correct Answer
False. As per the Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines, simply shaking someone's hand, sharing a drink or even
kissing cannot spread TB.
Question 7
A drug company is trying to develop a new drug that will inhibit the release of newly produced viral particles. Would the
drug company target hemagglutinin proteins or neuraminidase proteins? Why?
Correct Answer
Neuraminidase (N) proteins are directly involved in the budding and release of new viral particles and would thus be the
correct target.
Hemagglutinin (HA) proteins would not be advisable targets as they are directly involved in viral attachment and entry
into the host cell.
Question 8
True or False. Tuberculosis is best identified by a Gram stain.
Correct Answer
False. Mycobacterium show poor Gram staining and show be screened via an acid-fast stain.
Page 3 of 49
, Question 9
What small (~30nm) single-stranded, non-enveloped RNA virus targets the CNS (central nervous system), causing
potentially catastrophic damage to motor neurons?
Correct Answer
Polio, also known as poliomyelitis
Question 10
True or False: Metabolism is a controlled set of biochemical reactions that occur in living organisms in order to maintain
life.
Correct Answer
True
Question 11
True or False. Directly ingesting clostridium or its associated spores will not cause illness in adults.
Correct Answer
True. Only the direct ingestion of the pre-formed toxin will cause disease.
Page 4 of 49
