BIOD 171 MICROBIOLOGY MODULE 6 EXAM –
PORTAGE LEARNING 2025/2026
True or False. Because the genome is contained within an enclosed space (much like the nucleus of a
cell), viruses are classified as eukaryotic - ANSWER-False. Viruses are neither eukaryotic nor
prokaryotic.
Describe the two basic components of a virus. - ANSWER-1. genomic material comprised of either
DNA or RNA
2. a capsid: membrane-like protective structure that contains the genetic material
The envelope surrounds the _________ of some viruses. - ANSWER-capsid
True or False. You would expect to see a viral envelope on a virus infecting a bacterial cell. - ANSWER-
False. The overwhelming majority of animal viruses are enveloped whereas the majority of plant or
bacteria-infecting viruses are not.
Rank the following viruses based on their size from largest to smallest: Orthomyxovirus
Poliovirus
Variolavirus - ANSWER-Variolavirus (~200nm) > Orthomyxovirus (100-150nm) > Poliovirus (~30nm)
True or False: Viral replication occurs after it attaches and enters the host cell. - ANSWER-True. The
viral genome is never replicated before attachment and entry.
Place the following viral life cycle steps in order beginning with viral attachment and provide a
description of each step.
(AEURRN) - ANSWER-1. Attachment: viral receptors bind to the new cell surface
2. Entry: virus combines with host membrane and enters the cell
3. Uncoating: viral capsid disassembles
4. Replication: viral genome makes copies of itself
5. Release: new virus particles are produced and leave the cell
6. New Infection
Attachment - ANSWER-viral receptors bind to the new cell surface
Uncoating - ANSWER-viral capsid dissassembles
Release - ANSWER-new virus particles are produced and leave the cell
Replication - ANSWER-viral genome makes copies of itself
Entry - ANSWER-virus combines with host membrane and enters the cell
New infection - ANSWER-newly produced viruses that left host cell go and infect new cells
A virus that infects bacteria is called a [answer1] and contains a [answer2] -sided polygon capsid. -
ANSWER-1. Bacteriophage
, 2. 20
True or False. Structurally, bacteriophages are similar to viruses that infect animals. - ANSWER-False.
Bacteriophages have a distinct composition and structure.
Identify the following components of a bacteriophage. - ANSWER-1-Capsid
2- Collar
3- Tail
4- Base plate
5- Tail fibers
Describe the main differences between lytic and temperate phages. - ANSWER-- Lytic bacteriophages
REPLICATE within the host bacteria until it ruptures/dies
- Temperate phages do NOT REPLICATE and do not kill the host cell
Based on the following image, would you expect the viral titer to be high or low? Why? - ANSWER-
Low.
clarity "turbity" is low which indicates that there's a high number of intact bacterial cells present in
the media and therefore the amount of virus contained is low.
Which of the following cannot be spread via airborne particles:
Measles, Mumps, Rubella? - ANSWER-None: Measles, mumps and rubella can all be spread via
airborne particles formed while coughing, sneezing, etc.
True or False. A patient infected with rubella is considered infectious one week before and after the
appearance of the trademark rash. - ANSWER-True
A patient diagnosed with German measles may additionally experience what disease? Select all that
apply. - ANSWER-Conjunctivitis and influenza like symptoms
Which of the following diseases does a linear, single-stranded RNA virus cause? Measles, Mumps,
Rubella - ANSWER-All of the above:
Measles, mumps and rubella are all linear, single-stranded RNA viruses.
What disease displays as a secondary characteristic swelling of the testes/ovaries and pancreas? -
ANSWER-Mumps. Primary swelling in the salivary gland in neck and secondary swelling in the
testes/ovaries and pancreas.
You go to visit a friend who has chickenpox. While visiting what are 2 things you will be sure to avoid
so that you don't also become infected? - ANSWER-1) keep a distance if your friend is coughing or
sneezing: chickenpox transmitted through airborne droplets
2. avoid direct contact with blisters of an infected individual.
True or False. The development of shingles is most often seen in an older adult population (> 60 years
old). - ANSWER-True: The most common age for VZV reactivation and shingle diagnosis tends to occur
in people around 60 years of age.
True or False. Unlike chickenpox, the blisters that appear with shingles are localized and limited to
small areas. - ANSWER-True: While chickenpox blisters often cover the en!re body, the blisters
associated with shingles are localized and limited to small areas.
A person who has never had chickenpox nor administered the VZV/shingles vaccine is exposed to
someone with an active VZV (shingles) outbreak and becomes infected.
PORTAGE LEARNING 2025/2026
True or False. Because the genome is contained within an enclosed space (much like the nucleus of a
cell), viruses are classified as eukaryotic - ANSWER-False. Viruses are neither eukaryotic nor
prokaryotic.
Describe the two basic components of a virus. - ANSWER-1. genomic material comprised of either
DNA or RNA
2. a capsid: membrane-like protective structure that contains the genetic material
The envelope surrounds the _________ of some viruses. - ANSWER-capsid
True or False. You would expect to see a viral envelope on a virus infecting a bacterial cell. - ANSWER-
False. The overwhelming majority of animal viruses are enveloped whereas the majority of plant or
bacteria-infecting viruses are not.
Rank the following viruses based on their size from largest to smallest: Orthomyxovirus
Poliovirus
Variolavirus - ANSWER-Variolavirus (~200nm) > Orthomyxovirus (100-150nm) > Poliovirus (~30nm)
True or False: Viral replication occurs after it attaches and enters the host cell. - ANSWER-True. The
viral genome is never replicated before attachment and entry.
Place the following viral life cycle steps in order beginning with viral attachment and provide a
description of each step.
(AEURRN) - ANSWER-1. Attachment: viral receptors bind to the new cell surface
2. Entry: virus combines with host membrane and enters the cell
3. Uncoating: viral capsid disassembles
4. Replication: viral genome makes copies of itself
5. Release: new virus particles are produced and leave the cell
6. New Infection
Attachment - ANSWER-viral receptors bind to the new cell surface
Uncoating - ANSWER-viral capsid dissassembles
Release - ANSWER-new virus particles are produced and leave the cell
Replication - ANSWER-viral genome makes copies of itself
Entry - ANSWER-virus combines with host membrane and enters the cell
New infection - ANSWER-newly produced viruses that left host cell go and infect new cells
A virus that infects bacteria is called a [answer1] and contains a [answer2] -sided polygon capsid. -
ANSWER-1. Bacteriophage
, 2. 20
True or False. Structurally, bacteriophages are similar to viruses that infect animals. - ANSWER-False.
Bacteriophages have a distinct composition and structure.
Identify the following components of a bacteriophage. - ANSWER-1-Capsid
2- Collar
3- Tail
4- Base plate
5- Tail fibers
Describe the main differences between lytic and temperate phages. - ANSWER-- Lytic bacteriophages
REPLICATE within the host bacteria until it ruptures/dies
- Temperate phages do NOT REPLICATE and do not kill the host cell
Based on the following image, would you expect the viral titer to be high or low? Why? - ANSWER-
Low.
clarity "turbity" is low which indicates that there's a high number of intact bacterial cells present in
the media and therefore the amount of virus contained is low.
Which of the following cannot be spread via airborne particles:
Measles, Mumps, Rubella? - ANSWER-None: Measles, mumps and rubella can all be spread via
airborne particles formed while coughing, sneezing, etc.
True or False. A patient infected with rubella is considered infectious one week before and after the
appearance of the trademark rash. - ANSWER-True
A patient diagnosed with German measles may additionally experience what disease? Select all that
apply. - ANSWER-Conjunctivitis and influenza like symptoms
Which of the following diseases does a linear, single-stranded RNA virus cause? Measles, Mumps,
Rubella - ANSWER-All of the above:
Measles, mumps and rubella are all linear, single-stranded RNA viruses.
What disease displays as a secondary characteristic swelling of the testes/ovaries and pancreas? -
ANSWER-Mumps. Primary swelling in the salivary gland in neck and secondary swelling in the
testes/ovaries and pancreas.
You go to visit a friend who has chickenpox. While visiting what are 2 things you will be sure to avoid
so that you don't also become infected? - ANSWER-1) keep a distance if your friend is coughing or
sneezing: chickenpox transmitted through airborne droplets
2. avoid direct contact with blisters of an infected individual.
True or False. The development of shingles is most often seen in an older adult population (> 60 years
old). - ANSWER-True: The most common age for VZV reactivation and shingle diagnosis tends to occur
in people around 60 years of age.
True or False. Unlike chickenpox, the blisters that appear with shingles are localized and limited to
small areas. - ANSWER-True: While chickenpox blisters often cover the en!re body, the blisters
associated with shingles are localized and limited to small areas.
A person who has never had chickenpox nor administered the VZV/shingles vaccine is exposed to
someone with an active VZV (shingles) outbreak and becomes infected.
