Portage Learning: Microbiology Module
5, Portage Microbiology BIOD171 Exam
5, 2026 Questions and Answers
Define the concept of universal precautions. - Correct answer-Universal
precautions means any and all samples, whether known or unknown, are to be
treated as potentially hazardous (or pathogenic) materials.
What would a researcher be certain to note while analyzing a microbial sample? -
Correct answer-1. Size and shape
2. Any observable motility
3. Gram status (positive or negative)
4. The presence of any chemical reactions
5. Changes in color localized to the organism or the surrounding media
6. Capture (or draw) images of any of the characteristics described above
Which non-selective yet differential agar plate should be used if a Streptococcus
sample is suspected? - Correct answer-A BAP (blood agar plate) would be the
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,quickest way to identify and classify a potential streptococcus microbe based on its
hemolytic properties.
What disease can result if a patient with streptococcal pharyngitis goes untreated? -
Correct answer-Rheumatic fever occurs in approximately 3% of untreated cases of
streptococcal pharyngitis, presenting approximately 2-3 weeks post-infection.
Streptococcus, E. coli, pseudomonas, and klebsiella are all capable of causing what
disease? - Correct answer-All of the above foreign microbes are capable of causing
septicemia, also known as blood poisoning.
What is a facultative anaerobe? - Correct answer-A facultative anaerobe is capable
of growth under both aerobic (with oxygen) and anaerobic (in the absence of
oxygen) condition.
How can Staphylococcus be differentially tested? - Correct answer-Staphylococcus
species are capable of growth in the presence of bile salts.
A bacterial swab is taken from a patient with impetigo and streaked across an MSA
plate. Following incubation at 37C, what will be the color of the agar? - Correct
answer-The causative agent of impetigo is staph aureus, a Gram-positive bacterium
capable of fermenting mannitol. Fermentation will lower the pH of the agar and
change the dye color from red to yellow.
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, If a patient were suspected to have tuberculosis (TB), which differential stain
would you select and why? - Correct answer-To stain for TB, one would utilize an
acid-fast stain to best visual the foreign microbe. As a mycobacterium tuberculosis
would stain poorly (indeterminate) using the Gram stain.
According to the module, which mycobacterium infection will be treated free of
charge by the World Health Organization (WHO)? - Correct answer-Leprosy is
completely curable using a multiple-drug therapy regimen consisting of various
combinations of the drugs dapsone, rifampin and clofazimine—all of which is
given free of charge.
What are the three main conditions caused by the botulism toxin? - Correct
answer-Foodborne, infant and wound. Foodborne botulism is often the result of
improperly canned, contaminated, low-acidic foods such as green beans, corn and
beats. Infant botulism occurs when children, usually under the age of 6 months
consume foods containing the bacteria. A potential source of infant botulism is
honey (which is why pediatricians recommend avoiding feeding honey to infants)
but can also be found in common places such as soil. Wound botulism occurs when
C. botulinum bacteria colonize a deep wound, often a puncture such as those who
inject street drugs such as heroine. As contaminated needles are injected through
the skin, spores enter the body and, in the absence of oxygen, release the toxin.
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 3
5, Portage Microbiology BIOD171 Exam
5, 2026 Questions and Answers
Define the concept of universal precautions. - Correct answer-Universal
precautions means any and all samples, whether known or unknown, are to be
treated as potentially hazardous (or pathogenic) materials.
What would a researcher be certain to note while analyzing a microbial sample? -
Correct answer-1. Size and shape
2. Any observable motility
3. Gram status (positive or negative)
4. The presence of any chemical reactions
5. Changes in color localized to the organism or the surrounding media
6. Capture (or draw) images of any of the characteristics described above
Which non-selective yet differential agar plate should be used if a Streptococcus
sample is suspected? - Correct answer-A BAP (blood agar plate) would be the
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
,quickest way to identify and classify a potential streptococcus microbe based on its
hemolytic properties.
What disease can result if a patient with streptococcal pharyngitis goes untreated? -
Correct answer-Rheumatic fever occurs in approximately 3% of untreated cases of
streptococcal pharyngitis, presenting approximately 2-3 weeks post-infection.
Streptococcus, E. coli, pseudomonas, and klebsiella are all capable of causing what
disease? - Correct answer-All of the above foreign microbes are capable of causing
septicemia, also known as blood poisoning.
What is a facultative anaerobe? - Correct answer-A facultative anaerobe is capable
of growth under both aerobic (with oxygen) and anaerobic (in the absence of
oxygen) condition.
How can Staphylococcus be differentially tested? - Correct answer-Staphylococcus
species are capable of growth in the presence of bile salts.
A bacterial swab is taken from a patient with impetigo and streaked across an MSA
plate. Following incubation at 37C, what will be the color of the agar? - Correct
answer-The causative agent of impetigo is staph aureus, a Gram-positive bacterium
capable of fermenting mannitol. Fermentation will lower the pH of the agar and
change the dye color from red to yellow.
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
, If a patient were suspected to have tuberculosis (TB), which differential stain
would you select and why? - Correct answer-To stain for TB, one would utilize an
acid-fast stain to best visual the foreign microbe. As a mycobacterium tuberculosis
would stain poorly (indeterminate) using the Gram stain.
According to the module, which mycobacterium infection will be treated free of
charge by the World Health Organization (WHO)? - Correct answer-Leprosy is
completely curable using a multiple-drug therapy regimen consisting of various
combinations of the drugs dapsone, rifampin and clofazimine—all of which is
given free of charge.
What are the three main conditions caused by the botulism toxin? - Correct
answer-Foodborne, infant and wound. Foodborne botulism is often the result of
improperly canned, contaminated, low-acidic foods such as green beans, corn and
beats. Infant botulism occurs when children, usually under the age of 6 months
consume foods containing the bacteria. A potential source of infant botulism is
honey (which is why pediatricians recommend avoiding feeding honey to infants)
but can also be found in common places such as soil. Wound botulism occurs when
C. botulinum bacteria colonize a deep wound, often a puncture such as those who
inject street drugs such as heroine. As contaminated needles are injected through
the skin, spores enter the body and, in the absence of oxygen, release the toxin.
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 3
