D311 WGU MICROBIOLOGY
What is the significance of microorganisms containing a thick coat of peptldogiywn within the cell
wall?
Microorganisms containing a thick coat of peptidoglycan within the cell wall are typically classified as
gram-positive bacteria.
Why are viruses considered aceilular?
They cannot reproduce without a host.
What is the defining characteristic of eukaryotes?
They have a nucleus.
Which microorganism can cause vaginal yeast Infections and oral thrush?
Fungi
Why can It be difficult to determine the etiologic agent of a disease?
Some signs and symptoms can be caused by many different etiologic agents.
What kind of staining technique Is the acid-fast stain?
A doctor prescribed antibiotics for a patient complaining of runny nose. fever. and aches and pains.
Which type of infection did the doctor suspect?
The doctor likely suspected a viral infection because antibiotics are not effective against viral
infections.
A healthcare professional is treating a patient who developed a yeast infection after taking
antibiotics. What type of medication should be prescribed to this patient?
Antifungals
Which structure promotes motility in Proteus. Shigelia. and Salmonella species. all of which can cause
serious disease in humans?
1 | Page
, D311 WGU MICROBIOLOGY
Presence of flagella
Which bacterial virulence factor allows a strain to resist phagocytosis, increasing the organism's
virulence?
Capsule production
Why is treating Haemophilus influenzae difficult?
The capsule is antiphagocytic.
How do pili aid pathogens in causing disease?
They cause pathogens to adhere to host cells.
Which virulence factor allows pathogens to penetrate the dermis and invade the body?
Bacterial enzymes
A bacterium from a deep-sea hydrothermal vent has been cultured. Which staining technique should
be used to begin the process of species identification?
Gram staining
What does the presence of a clear area around a cell stained with India ink indicate about the cell?
The cell has a capsule.
How do basic stains work?
The positively charged stain is attracted to the negatively charged portion of the cell.
Which staining technique is used to distinguish bacteria based on their ability to produce structures
that can survive extreme heat stress?
Endospore stain
Which aspect of a staining protocol enables dye to penetrate an endospore?
Heat
Why are the relationships between pathogenic microbes and their hosts considered parasitic?
The microbe benefits from the interaction while the host is harmed.
Which characteristic of dracunculiasis has been pivotal to the success of its eradication campaign?
Dracunculiasis has no animal reservoir.
2 | Page
, D311 WGU MICROBIOLOGY
Which type of organism would be most likely to grow on food stored in a refrigerator or freezer?
A psychrophile would be most likely to grow on food stored in a refrigerator or freezer as these
microorganisms thrive in cold temperatures.
Staphylococcus epidermldls is a member of the human resident microbiota and considered part of the
human innate immune system. S. epldermidis uses our dead skin cells as a source of nutrients. What
type of relationship between S. epidermidis and humans is described above?
The type of relationship between Staphylococcus epidermidis and humans described above is
"Commensalism," where one organism (S. epidermidis) benefits (uses dead skin cells) without
harming the other organism (humans).
Commensalism
Why is the production of lactic acid by the resident microbe Lactobacillus Important to human health?
Lactic acid is important to human health because it inhibits the growth of pathogenic yeasts.
Which type of infections are prevented by proper sterilization of hospital equipment and healthcare
worker handwashing?
Nosocomial infections are prevented by proper sterilization of hospital equipment and healthcare
worker handwashing.
A patient Is determined to have contracted Lyme disease after being bit by an infected tick. What type
of transmission is described in this scenario?
Vector transmission is described in this scenario.
Which is a description of vehicle transmission?
A person drinks untreated water on vacation and later has diarrhea and nausea is a description of
vehicle transmission.
Which organism type contains species that perform adhesion through the unique use of its flagella to
move out fluid from under a large adhesive disc, resulting in lower pressure to adhere to the intestinal
lining?
Protozoa
A patient presents to the emergency department with high fever. difficulty breathing. vomiting,
coughing up blood. and severe chest pain when inhaling. Which pathogen would the provider
suspect?
Bacillus anthracis
3 | Page
What is the significance of microorganisms containing a thick coat of peptldogiywn within the cell
wall?
Microorganisms containing a thick coat of peptidoglycan within the cell wall are typically classified as
gram-positive bacteria.
Why are viruses considered aceilular?
They cannot reproduce without a host.
What is the defining characteristic of eukaryotes?
They have a nucleus.
Which microorganism can cause vaginal yeast Infections and oral thrush?
Fungi
Why can It be difficult to determine the etiologic agent of a disease?
Some signs and symptoms can be caused by many different etiologic agents.
What kind of staining technique Is the acid-fast stain?
A doctor prescribed antibiotics for a patient complaining of runny nose. fever. and aches and pains.
Which type of infection did the doctor suspect?
The doctor likely suspected a viral infection because antibiotics are not effective against viral
infections.
A healthcare professional is treating a patient who developed a yeast infection after taking
antibiotics. What type of medication should be prescribed to this patient?
Antifungals
Which structure promotes motility in Proteus. Shigelia. and Salmonella species. all of which can cause
serious disease in humans?
1 | Page
, D311 WGU MICROBIOLOGY
Presence of flagella
Which bacterial virulence factor allows a strain to resist phagocytosis, increasing the organism's
virulence?
Capsule production
Why is treating Haemophilus influenzae difficult?
The capsule is antiphagocytic.
How do pili aid pathogens in causing disease?
They cause pathogens to adhere to host cells.
Which virulence factor allows pathogens to penetrate the dermis and invade the body?
Bacterial enzymes
A bacterium from a deep-sea hydrothermal vent has been cultured. Which staining technique should
be used to begin the process of species identification?
Gram staining
What does the presence of a clear area around a cell stained with India ink indicate about the cell?
The cell has a capsule.
How do basic stains work?
The positively charged stain is attracted to the negatively charged portion of the cell.
Which staining technique is used to distinguish bacteria based on their ability to produce structures
that can survive extreme heat stress?
Endospore stain
Which aspect of a staining protocol enables dye to penetrate an endospore?
Heat
Why are the relationships between pathogenic microbes and their hosts considered parasitic?
The microbe benefits from the interaction while the host is harmed.
Which characteristic of dracunculiasis has been pivotal to the success of its eradication campaign?
Dracunculiasis has no animal reservoir.
2 | Page
, D311 WGU MICROBIOLOGY
Which type of organism would be most likely to grow on food stored in a refrigerator or freezer?
A psychrophile would be most likely to grow on food stored in a refrigerator or freezer as these
microorganisms thrive in cold temperatures.
Staphylococcus epidermldls is a member of the human resident microbiota and considered part of the
human innate immune system. S. epldermidis uses our dead skin cells as a source of nutrients. What
type of relationship between S. epidermidis and humans is described above?
The type of relationship between Staphylococcus epidermidis and humans described above is
"Commensalism," where one organism (S. epidermidis) benefits (uses dead skin cells) without
harming the other organism (humans).
Commensalism
Why is the production of lactic acid by the resident microbe Lactobacillus Important to human health?
Lactic acid is important to human health because it inhibits the growth of pathogenic yeasts.
Which type of infections are prevented by proper sterilization of hospital equipment and healthcare
worker handwashing?
Nosocomial infections are prevented by proper sterilization of hospital equipment and healthcare
worker handwashing.
A patient Is determined to have contracted Lyme disease after being bit by an infected tick. What type
of transmission is described in this scenario?
Vector transmission is described in this scenario.
Which is a description of vehicle transmission?
A person drinks untreated water on vacation and later has diarrhea and nausea is a description of
vehicle transmission.
Which organism type contains species that perform adhesion through the unique use of its flagella to
move out fluid from under a large adhesive disc, resulting in lower pressure to adhere to the intestinal
lining?
Protozoa
A patient presents to the emergency department with high fever. difficulty breathing. vomiting,
coughing up blood. and severe chest pain when inhaling. Which pathogen would the provider
suspect?
Bacillus anthracis
3 | Page
