BIOD 171 Module 5 EXAM STUDY GUIDE
2025/2026 | ESSENTIAL MICROBIOLOGY –
PORTAGE LEARNING | VERIFIED
QUESTIONS AND 100% CORRECT
ANSWERS | LATEST VERSION
BIOD 171 Module 5: Viruses, Epidemiology & Immunology
1. What is the defining characteristic of a virus?
A. It has a cell wall.
B. It is a living organism.
C. It is an acellular, obligate intracellular parasite.
D. It can reproduce on its own.
2. What is the complete, infectious viral particle called?
A. Capsomere
B. Virion
C. Nucleocapsid
D. Envelope
3. The protein shell that encloses the viral genome is called the:
A. Capsid
B. Envelope
C. Capsomere
D. Spike
4. What are the individual protein subunits that make up the capsid called?
A. Virions
B. Capsomeres
C. Envelopes
D. Prions
5. The combination of the nucleic acid and the capsid is referred to as the:
A. Virion
,B. Nucleocapsid
C. Envelope
D. Capsomere
6. Some viruses have an outer lipid bilayer derived from the host cell
membrane. This is called the:
A. Capsid
B. Nucleocapsid
C. Envelope
D. Capsomere
7. Viral spikes are primarily involved in:
A. Replication of the viral genome
B. Attachment to the host cell
C. Providing structural integrity
D. Energy production
8. What is the genetic material of a virus?
A. Only DNA
B. Only RNA
C. Only double-stranded nucleic acids
D. Either DNA or RNA, but not both
9. The specific process where a virus attaches to a receptor on the host cell
surface is called:
A. Adsorption
B. Absorption
C. Penetration
D. Uncoating
10. Bacteriophages inject their nucleic acid into the host cell during which
stage of the lytic cycle?
A. Adsorption
B. Penetration
C. Synthesis
D. Assembly
, 11. In animal viruses, the entire virion is often taken into the cell via
endocytosis. This process is a type of:
A. Adsorption
B. Penetration
C. Uncoating
D. Assembly
12. The process where the viral capsid is removed, releasing the genetic
material inside the host cell, is called:
A. Adsorption
B. Penetration
C. Uncoating
D. Assembly
13. During the biosynthesis stage, what is the primary activity of the virus?
A. Attaching to the host
B. Replication of the viral genome and synthesis of viral proteins
C. Assembling new virions
D. Lysing the host cell
14. The stage where newly synthesized viral components are put together to
form complete virions is:
A. Penetration
B. Uncoating
C. Synthesis
D. Assembly
15. The release of new virions from a host cell, often causing cell death, is
called:
A. Budding
B. Lysis
C. Exocytosis
D. Uncoating
16. Enveloped viruses are typically released from the host cell by:
A. Lysis
2025/2026 | ESSENTIAL MICROBIOLOGY –
PORTAGE LEARNING | VERIFIED
QUESTIONS AND 100% CORRECT
ANSWERS | LATEST VERSION
BIOD 171 Module 5: Viruses, Epidemiology & Immunology
1. What is the defining characteristic of a virus?
A. It has a cell wall.
B. It is a living organism.
C. It is an acellular, obligate intracellular parasite.
D. It can reproduce on its own.
2. What is the complete, infectious viral particle called?
A. Capsomere
B. Virion
C. Nucleocapsid
D. Envelope
3. The protein shell that encloses the viral genome is called the:
A. Capsid
B. Envelope
C. Capsomere
D. Spike
4. What are the individual protein subunits that make up the capsid called?
A. Virions
B. Capsomeres
C. Envelopes
D. Prions
5. The combination of the nucleic acid and the capsid is referred to as the:
A. Virion
,B. Nucleocapsid
C. Envelope
D. Capsomere
6. Some viruses have an outer lipid bilayer derived from the host cell
membrane. This is called the:
A. Capsid
B. Nucleocapsid
C. Envelope
D. Capsomere
7. Viral spikes are primarily involved in:
A. Replication of the viral genome
B. Attachment to the host cell
C. Providing structural integrity
D. Energy production
8. What is the genetic material of a virus?
A. Only DNA
B. Only RNA
C. Only double-stranded nucleic acids
D. Either DNA or RNA, but not both
9. The specific process where a virus attaches to a receptor on the host cell
surface is called:
A. Adsorption
B. Absorption
C. Penetration
D. Uncoating
10. Bacteriophages inject their nucleic acid into the host cell during which
stage of the lytic cycle?
A. Adsorption
B. Penetration
C. Synthesis
D. Assembly
, 11. In animal viruses, the entire virion is often taken into the cell via
endocytosis. This process is a type of:
A. Adsorption
B. Penetration
C. Uncoating
D. Assembly
12. The process where the viral capsid is removed, releasing the genetic
material inside the host cell, is called:
A. Adsorption
B. Penetration
C. Uncoating
D. Assembly
13. During the biosynthesis stage, what is the primary activity of the virus?
A. Attaching to the host
B. Replication of the viral genome and synthesis of viral proteins
C. Assembling new virions
D. Lysing the host cell
14. The stage where newly synthesized viral components are put together to
form complete virions is:
A. Penetration
B. Uncoating
C. Synthesis
D. Assembly
15. The release of new virions from a host cell, often causing cell death, is
called:
A. Budding
B. Lysis
C. Exocytosis
D. Uncoating
16. Enveloped viruses are typically released from the host cell by:
A. Lysis
