PORTAGE LEARNING
Bachelor of Science in Biology (BS)
BIOL 271 — Microbiology
Academic Year: 2026/2027
Module 4 Review Sheet — Complete Question Bank
Portage Learning — Rigorous & Competency-Based
Question 1
Which disease is BOTH arthropod-borne and zoonotic?
A. Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever
B. Malaria and Chagas disease
C. Toxoplasmosis and leishmaniasis
D. Typhoid fever and cholera
CORRECT ANSWER A. Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever
Rationale
Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi) and Rocky Mountain spotted fever (Rickettsia rickettsii)
are both arthropod-borne (transmitted by ticks) and zoonotic (naturally transmitted
between animals and humans).
, Question 2
Which diagnostic finding confirms malaria?
A. Elevated white blood cell count
B. Ring trophozoites inside RBCs
C. Positive blood culture
D. Increased liver enzymes
CORRECT ANSWER B. Ring trophozoites inside RBCs
Rationale
Malaria is confirmed by microscopic identification of ring trophozoites (early stage
Plasmodium) inside red blood cells on a blood smear. This is the diagnostic hallmark of
malaria infection.
Question 3
Most fungal pathogens are transmitted by
A. Direct contact
B. Airborne spores
C. Contaminated food
D. Sexual contact
CORRECT ANSWER B. Airborne spores
Rationale
Most fungal pathogens are transmitted through airborne spores. Inhalation of fungal
spores from environmental sources is the primary route of infection for many systemic
fungal diseases.
, Question 4
Which influenza proteins are found on the viral envelope?
A. H and N
B. gp120 and gp41
C. S and M
D. E and NS
CORRECT ANSWER A. H and N
Rationale
Influenza viruses have hemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N) proteins on their viral
envelope. These surface proteins determine the strain type and are targets for the immune
system and antiviral drugs.
Question 5
Which organism causes Rocky Mountain spotted fever?
A. Rickettsia rickettsii
B. Borrelia burgdorferi
C. Escherichia coli
D. Salmonella typhi
CORRECT ANSWER A. Rickettsia rickettsii
Rationale
Rocky Mountain spotted fever is caused by the obligate intracellular bacterium Rickettsia
rickettsii, which is transmitted to humans through tick bites.
Bachelor of Science in Biology (BS)
BIOL 271 — Microbiology
Academic Year: 2026/2027
Module 4 Review Sheet — Complete Question Bank
Portage Learning — Rigorous & Competency-Based
Question 1
Which disease is BOTH arthropod-borne and zoonotic?
A. Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever
B. Malaria and Chagas disease
C. Toxoplasmosis and leishmaniasis
D. Typhoid fever and cholera
CORRECT ANSWER A. Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever
Rationale
Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi) and Rocky Mountain spotted fever (Rickettsia rickettsii)
are both arthropod-borne (transmitted by ticks) and zoonotic (naturally transmitted
between animals and humans).
, Question 2
Which diagnostic finding confirms malaria?
A. Elevated white blood cell count
B. Ring trophozoites inside RBCs
C. Positive blood culture
D. Increased liver enzymes
CORRECT ANSWER B. Ring trophozoites inside RBCs
Rationale
Malaria is confirmed by microscopic identification of ring trophozoites (early stage
Plasmodium) inside red blood cells on a blood smear. This is the diagnostic hallmark of
malaria infection.
Question 3
Most fungal pathogens are transmitted by
A. Direct contact
B. Airborne spores
C. Contaminated food
D. Sexual contact
CORRECT ANSWER B. Airborne spores
Rationale
Most fungal pathogens are transmitted through airborne spores. Inhalation of fungal
spores from environmental sources is the primary route of infection for many systemic
fungal diseases.
, Question 4
Which influenza proteins are found on the viral envelope?
A. H and N
B. gp120 and gp41
C. S and M
D. E and NS
CORRECT ANSWER A. H and N
Rationale
Influenza viruses have hemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N) proteins on their viral
envelope. These surface proteins determine the strain type and are targets for the immune
system and antiviral drugs.
Question 5
Which organism causes Rocky Mountain spotted fever?
A. Rickettsia rickettsii
B. Borrelia burgdorferi
C. Escherichia coli
D. Salmonella typhi
CORRECT ANSWER A. Rickettsia rickettsii
Rationale
Rocky Mountain spotted fever is caused by the obligate intracellular bacterium Rickettsia
rickettsii, which is transmitted to humans through tick bites.
