WGU D311 Microbiology Updated Questions
and Answers (2026/2027) | Practice
Review | A+ Verified
• Why are viruses considered aceilular? CORRECR ANSWER: They cannot
reproduce without a host.
• What is the defining characteristic of eukaryotes? CORRECR ANSWER: They
have a nucleus.
• Which microorganism can cause vaginal yeast Infections and oral thrush?
CORRECR ANSWER: Fungi
• Why can It be difficult to determine the etiologic agent of a disease? CORRECR
ANSWER: Some signs and symptoms can be caused by many different etiologic
agents.
• What kind of staining technique Is the acid-fast stain? CORRECR ANSWER:
differential staining technique used to distinguish between acid-fast and non-acid-
fast bacteria based on the presence of mycolic acid in their cell walls. The high
lipid content of acid-fast organisms, like Mycobacterium, requires special stains,
such as Carbolfuchsin, to penetrate their waxy cell walls
• A doctor prescribed antibiotics for a patient complaining of runny nose. fever.
and aches and pains. Which type of infection did the doctor suspect? CORRECR
ANSWER: The doctor likely suspected a bacterial 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? CORRECR ANSWER: Antifungals
• Which structure promotes motility in Proteus. Shigelia. and Salmonella species.
all of which can cause serious disease in humans? CORRECR ANSWER:
Presence of flagella
• Which bacterial virulence factor allows a strain to resist phagocytosis, increasing
the organism's virulence? CORRECR ANSWER: Capsule production
• Why is treating Haemophilus influenzae difficult? CORRECR ANSWER: The
capsule is antiphagocytic.
• How do pili aid pathogens in causing disease? CORRECR ANSWER: They
cause pathogens to adhere to host cells.
• Which virulence factor allows pathogens to penetrate the dermis and invade the
body? CORRECR ANSWER: 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?
CORRECR ANSWER: Gram staining
• What does the presence of a clear area around a cell stained with India ink
indicate about the cell? CORRECR ANSWER: The cell has a capsule.
• How do basic stains work? CORRECR ANSWER: The positively charged stain
is attracted to the negatively charged portion of the cell.
and Answers (2026/2027) | Practice
Review | A+ Verified
• Why are viruses considered aceilular? CORRECR ANSWER: They cannot
reproduce without a host.
• What is the defining characteristic of eukaryotes? CORRECR ANSWER: They
have a nucleus.
• Which microorganism can cause vaginal yeast Infections and oral thrush?
CORRECR ANSWER: Fungi
• Why can It be difficult to determine the etiologic agent of a disease? CORRECR
ANSWER: Some signs and symptoms can be caused by many different etiologic
agents.
• What kind of staining technique Is the acid-fast stain? CORRECR ANSWER:
differential staining technique used to distinguish between acid-fast and non-acid-
fast bacteria based on the presence of mycolic acid in their cell walls. The high
lipid content of acid-fast organisms, like Mycobacterium, requires special stains,
such as Carbolfuchsin, to penetrate their waxy cell walls
• A doctor prescribed antibiotics for a patient complaining of runny nose. fever.
and aches and pains. Which type of infection did the doctor suspect? CORRECR
ANSWER: The doctor likely suspected a bacterial 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? CORRECR ANSWER: Antifungals
• Which structure promotes motility in Proteus. Shigelia. and Salmonella species.
all of which can cause serious disease in humans? CORRECR ANSWER:
Presence of flagella
• Which bacterial virulence factor allows a strain to resist phagocytosis, increasing
the organism's virulence? CORRECR ANSWER: Capsule production
• Why is treating Haemophilus influenzae difficult? CORRECR ANSWER: The
capsule is antiphagocytic.
• How do pili aid pathogens in causing disease? CORRECR ANSWER: They
cause pathogens to adhere to host cells.
• Which virulence factor allows pathogens to penetrate the dermis and invade the
body? CORRECR ANSWER: 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?
CORRECR ANSWER: Gram staining
• What does the presence of a clear area around a cell stained with India ink
indicate about the cell? CORRECR ANSWER: The cell has a capsule.
• How do basic stains work? CORRECR ANSWER: The positively charged stain
is attracted to the negatively charged portion of the cell.
