WGU C453 Clinical Microbiology Exam guide/Comprehensive
Study Guide / Expert Verified Actual Questions & Answers for
Guaranteed Pass | Newest Update,
Bacteria - (Correct Answer) - Single-celled organism that do not have a cell nucleus and the
membrane-enclosed intracellular structures found in most other cells (Prokaryotic cell).
Gram-positive Bacteria - (Correct Answer) - Thick layer of peptidoglycan (20-80nm across). The
peptidoglycan layer is closely attached to the outer surface of the cell membrane. Retains crystal
violet stains. Lack an outer membrane and a periplasmic space.
Gram-negative Bacteria - (Correct Answer) - Cell wall is thinner, but more complex. Only 10-
20% peptidoglycan. Contains an outer membrane, leaving a very narrow periplasmic space. Does
not retain crystal violet stain because of large quantities of lipoproteins and lipopolysaccharides
(endotoxin).
Acid-fast Bacteria - (Correct Answer) - Cell wall is thick, but consists of 60% lipids. Lipids
make acid-fast organisms impermeable to most other stains and protect them from acids and
alkalis. Stain as gram-positive. Grow slowly because the lipids impeded entry of nutrients.
Endotoxin - (Correct Answer) - Lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Part of the outer membrane of the
cell wall of gram-negative bacteria. It can cause fever and dilates blood vessels- causing BP to
drop. Bacteria typically release this when they are dying, so killing them increases the
concentration of this toxic substance. Antibiotics given late in the infection can cause worsening
of symptoms or even death.
Wall-deficient Bacteria - (Correct Answer) - Protected by a strengthened cell membrane that
contains sterols. Example: mycobacterium paratuberculosis with Crohn's disease- a chronic
disorder of the intestine.
Coccus - (Correct Answer) - Sphere shaped bacteria
Coccobacillus - (Correct Answer) - Short rod shaped bacteria (between cocci and bacilli)
,[Type here]
Vibrio - (Correct Answer) - Comma shaped bacteria
Bacillus - (Correct Answer) - Rod shaped bacteria
Spirillum - (Correct Answer) - Rigid, wavy shaped bacteria
Spirochete - (Correct Answer) - Corkscrew shape bacteria
Function of cell membrane - (Correct Answer) - To regulate movement of materials into and out
of the cell by transport mechanisms. It synthesizes cell wall components, assists with DNA
replication, secretes proteins, carries on respiration, and captures energy as ATP.
Function of the cell wall - (Correct Answer) - Helps maintain the characteristic shape of the cell
and prevents the cell from bursting when fluids flow into the cell by osmosis. Lies outside the
cell membrane.
Peptidoglycan - (Correct Answer) - Single most important component of the bacterial cell wall.
Capsule - (Correct Answer) - Discrete layer of polysaccharides that protects the cell. Promotes
infection by protecting the bacterial cell from engulfment by predatory protozoa or WBC
(phagocytes). Also mediates adherence of cells to surfaces.
Pili - (Correct Answer) - Tiny, hallow projections that are used to attach bacteria to surfaces. Are
NOT involved in movement. Promote infection by transferring DNA amount bacteria- which in
turn can transfer antibiotic resistance. Can adhere to RBC and cause blood cells to clump.
Flagella - (Correct Answer) - Long, thin, helical appendages that allow bacteria to move.
Endospore - (Correct Answer) - Helps the organism survive, and is not a means of reproduction.
They are formed within the cells, contain very little water and are highly resistant to heat, drying,
, [Type here]
acids, bases, certain disinfectants, and even radiation. They are capable of surviving adverse
environmental conditions for long periods of time.
Chemotaxis - (Correct Answer) - Process of bacteria moving toward or away from substances in
their environment. Towards- positive, Away- Negative.
Bacteria that produce spores - (Correct Answer) - Bacillus, Clostridium
Helminths - (Correct Answer) - Worm-like organisms living in and feeding on live hosts,
receiving nourishment and protection while disrupting their hosts' nutrient absorption, causing
weakness and disease. Example: Flukes, tapeworms, adult round-worms of intestine, and
roundworm larvae.
Zygomycota - (Correct Answer) - Bread molds
Ascomycota - (Correct Answer) - Sac fungi. Yeasts. Replication by sexual reproduction.
Basidiomycota - (Correct Answer) - Club fungi. Amanita and other mushrooms.
Deuteromycota - (Correct Answer) - Fungi imperfecti. Soil organisms.
Virus - (Correct Answer) - Tiny, non living particle that invades and then reproduces inside a
living cell. Contain only one kind of nucleic acid- either DNA or RNA (never both).
Naked virus - (Correct Answer) - Virus with only a nucleocapsid and no envelope.
Enveloped virus - (Correct Answer) - Have a bilayer membrane outside their capsids.
Study Guide / Expert Verified Actual Questions & Answers for
Guaranteed Pass | Newest Update,
Bacteria - (Correct Answer) - Single-celled organism that do not have a cell nucleus and the
membrane-enclosed intracellular structures found in most other cells (Prokaryotic cell).
Gram-positive Bacteria - (Correct Answer) - Thick layer of peptidoglycan (20-80nm across). The
peptidoglycan layer is closely attached to the outer surface of the cell membrane. Retains crystal
violet stains. Lack an outer membrane and a periplasmic space.
Gram-negative Bacteria - (Correct Answer) - Cell wall is thinner, but more complex. Only 10-
20% peptidoglycan. Contains an outer membrane, leaving a very narrow periplasmic space. Does
not retain crystal violet stain because of large quantities of lipoproteins and lipopolysaccharides
(endotoxin).
Acid-fast Bacteria - (Correct Answer) - Cell wall is thick, but consists of 60% lipids. Lipids
make acid-fast organisms impermeable to most other stains and protect them from acids and
alkalis. Stain as gram-positive. Grow slowly because the lipids impeded entry of nutrients.
Endotoxin - (Correct Answer) - Lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Part of the outer membrane of the
cell wall of gram-negative bacteria. It can cause fever and dilates blood vessels- causing BP to
drop. Bacteria typically release this when they are dying, so killing them increases the
concentration of this toxic substance. Antibiotics given late in the infection can cause worsening
of symptoms or even death.
Wall-deficient Bacteria - (Correct Answer) - Protected by a strengthened cell membrane that
contains sterols. Example: mycobacterium paratuberculosis with Crohn's disease- a chronic
disorder of the intestine.
Coccus - (Correct Answer) - Sphere shaped bacteria
Coccobacillus - (Correct Answer) - Short rod shaped bacteria (between cocci and bacilli)
,[Type here]
Vibrio - (Correct Answer) - Comma shaped bacteria
Bacillus - (Correct Answer) - Rod shaped bacteria
Spirillum - (Correct Answer) - Rigid, wavy shaped bacteria
Spirochete - (Correct Answer) - Corkscrew shape bacteria
Function of cell membrane - (Correct Answer) - To regulate movement of materials into and out
of the cell by transport mechanisms. It synthesizes cell wall components, assists with DNA
replication, secretes proteins, carries on respiration, and captures energy as ATP.
Function of the cell wall - (Correct Answer) - Helps maintain the characteristic shape of the cell
and prevents the cell from bursting when fluids flow into the cell by osmosis. Lies outside the
cell membrane.
Peptidoglycan - (Correct Answer) - Single most important component of the bacterial cell wall.
Capsule - (Correct Answer) - Discrete layer of polysaccharides that protects the cell. Promotes
infection by protecting the bacterial cell from engulfment by predatory protozoa or WBC
(phagocytes). Also mediates adherence of cells to surfaces.
Pili - (Correct Answer) - Tiny, hallow projections that are used to attach bacteria to surfaces. Are
NOT involved in movement. Promote infection by transferring DNA amount bacteria- which in
turn can transfer antibiotic resistance. Can adhere to RBC and cause blood cells to clump.
Flagella - (Correct Answer) - Long, thin, helical appendages that allow bacteria to move.
Endospore - (Correct Answer) - Helps the organism survive, and is not a means of reproduction.
They are formed within the cells, contain very little water and are highly resistant to heat, drying,
, [Type here]
acids, bases, certain disinfectants, and even radiation. They are capable of surviving adverse
environmental conditions for long periods of time.
Chemotaxis - (Correct Answer) - Process of bacteria moving toward or away from substances in
their environment. Towards- positive, Away- Negative.
Bacteria that produce spores - (Correct Answer) - Bacillus, Clostridium
Helminths - (Correct Answer) - Worm-like organisms living in and feeding on live hosts,
receiving nourishment and protection while disrupting their hosts' nutrient absorption, causing
weakness and disease. Example: Flukes, tapeworms, adult round-worms of intestine, and
roundworm larvae.
Zygomycota - (Correct Answer) - Bread molds
Ascomycota - (Correct Answer) - Sac fungi. Yeasts. Replication by sexual reproduction.
Basidiomycota - (Correct Answer) - Club fungi. Amanita and other mushrooms.
Deuteromycota - (Correct Answer) - Fungi imperfecti. Soil organisms.
Virus - (Correct Answer) - Tiny, non living particle that invades and then reproduces inside a
living cell. Contain only one kind of nucleic acid- either DNA or RNA (never both).
Naked virus - (Correct Answer) - Virus with only a nucleocapsid and no envelope.
Enveloped virus - (Correct Answer) - Have a bilayer membrane outside their capsids.
