Portage Microbiology Exam 5 2025–2026
Exam Questions and Verified Correct Answers
Identify the disease based on the following (select all that apply): It is a small, acid-fast rod
usually remaining asymptomatic for up to 20 years. It affects the skin, nerves, upper respiratory
tract and eyes of infected individuals
A. Tuberculosis
B. Leprosy
C. Scalded-skin syndrome
D. Hansen's disease
E. Bacterial conjunctivitis - correct answerB & D (Hansen's disease is another name for leprosy)
True or False: Only directly ingesting the pre-formed clostridium toxin (neither the bacteria nor
its spores) will cause disease in adults - correct answerTrue
While visiting his grandparents, a 10-year old child has green beans for dinner that were
harvested from his grandparents' garden and canned the previous year. Severe illness sets in
and the child is taken to the hospital. Botulism is suspected, but what form? (short answer) -
correct answerFoodbourne botulism. The child is too old (> 6 months) to be considered and
wounds were not present. The green beans were likely improperly canned and under the
lowacidic, anaerobic conditions, bacterial growth was encouraged
True or False: Although there is no cure for tetanus, it can be prevented through vaccination -
correct answerTrue. There is not cure for tetanus, however tetanus is entirely preventable
through vaccination
, Describe the symptoms and treatment regimen for someone infected with Clostridium
pefringens (short answer) - correct answerClostridium perfringens presents with muscle
necrosis, swelling of infected areas, fever, and intense gas production. Treatment entails
removal of all infected tissue, often resulting in amputation of the affected areas, in
conjunction with heavy antibiotic therpies
Why does the alpha toxin (perfringolysin) produced during an infection of gas gangrene cause
cell death? (short answer) - correct answerThe toxin perforates the membrane. It forms pores
in the plasma membrane of host cells resulting in uncontrolled ion fluxes and eventually cell
lysis and death
You develop a fever, chills, and pneumonia after recently using a warm midst vaporizer in an
attempt to open your sinuses. What bacterial disease would a doctor suspect is causing your
symptoms? Would the doctor suspect you contracted it from touching (potentially)
contaminated doorknobs? (short answer) - correct answerLegionnaires. No- legionella cannot
be spread simply by direct contact between two people. Legionella can only be transmitted
through droplets small enough to be breathed in
True or False: Bubonic plague is often characterized by painfully swollen lymph nodes - correct
answerTrue
Which form of the plague is highly virulent? What does it target? - correct answerPneumonic
plague and the respiratory system
Identify the following disease (hand with black center at site of infection) (short answer) -
correct answerAnthrax
Exam Questions and Verified Correct Answers
Identify the disease based on the following (select all that apply): It is a small, acid-fast rod
usually remaining asymptomatic for up to 20 years. It affects the skin, nerves, upper respiratory
tract and eyes of infected individuals
A. Tuberculosis
B. Leprosy
C. Scalded-skin syndrome
D. Hansen's disease
E. Bacterial conjunctivitis - correct answerB & D (Hansen's disease is another name for leprosy)
True or False: Only directly ingesting the pre-formed clostridium toxin (neither the bacteria nor
its spores) will cause disease in adults - correct answerTrue
While visiting his grandparents, a 10-year old child has green beans for dinner that were
harvested from his grandparents' garden and canned the previous year. Severe illness sets in
and the child is taken to the hospital. Botulism is suspected, but what form? (short answer) -
correct answerFoodbourne botulism. The child is too old (> 6 months) to be considered and
wounds were not present. The green beans were likely improperly canned and under the
lowacidic, anaerobic conditions, bacterial growth was encouraged
True or False: Although there is no cure for tetanus, it can be prevented through vaccination -
correct answerTrue. There is not cure for tetanus, however tetanus is entirely preventable
through vaccination
, Describe the symptoms and treatment regimen for someone infected with Clostridium
pefringens (short answer) - correct answerClostridium perfringens presents with muscle
necrosis, swelling of infected areas, fever, and intense gas production. Treatment entails
removal of all infected tissue, often resulting in amputation of the affected areas, in
conjunction with heavy antibiotic therpies
Why does the alpha toxin (perfringolysin) produced during an infection of gas gangrene cause
cell death? (short answer) - correct answerThe toxin perforates the membrane. It forms pores
in the plasma membrane of host cells resulting in uncontrolled ion fluxes and eventually cell
lysis and death
You develop a fever, chills, and pneumonia after recently using a warm midst vaporizer in an
attempt to open your sinuses. What bacterial disease would a doctor suspect is causing your
symptoms? Would the doctor suspect you contracted it from touching (potentially)
contaminated doorknobs? (short answer) - correct answerLegionnaires. No- legionella cannot
be spread simply by direct contact between two people. Legionella can only be transmitted
through droplets small enough to be breathed in
True or False: Bubonic plague is often characterized by painfully swollen lymph nodes - correct
answerTrue
Which form of the plague is highly virulent? What does it target? - correct answerPneumonic
plague and the respiratory system
Identify the following disease (hand with black center at site of infection) (short answer) -
correct answerAnthrax
