MICROBIOLOGY MODULE 6 REVIEW
QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
Can viruses be classified as either prokaryotic or eukaryotic microorganisms? -
correct-answer -No. Viruses are neither prokaryotic nor eukaryotic.
What is an obligate intercellular parasite? - correct-answer -As an obligate
intercellular parasite, viruses cannot (obligate) replicate unless inside
(intracellular) a living host cell. As a parasite, a virus depends on its living host to
provide the framework (proteins, etc) to replicate—to make additional copies of
itself
To what family of viruses does Rubella come from and how is it transmitted? -
correct-answer -Rubella virus belongs to a family of viruses called Togaviridae.
Rubella is transmitted via air-borne particles such as when a person coughs.
What is the common name for Rubeola and is it a DNA or RNA virus? - correct-
answer -Rubeola is commonly referred to as the measles and belongs to the
family of viruses called Paramyxovirus. Rubeola viruses are RNA viruses with a
genome ~ 15,000 nucleotides long.
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What disease state emerges as a viral reactivation of a prior infection with the
varicella virus? - correct-answer -Shingles, also known as Herpes zoster, is due to
the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). Because VZV lies dormant in
inactive nerve cells, its reactivation typically results in painful blisters. However,
unlike the initial chickenpox rash, the blisters are localized and limited to small
areas.
What linear, double-stranded, enveloped DNA virus is the first virus (as of October
26, 1977) to be declared eradicated? - correct-answer -Although once a major
cause of death in the world, a smallpox vaccine was developed in 1796 by Edward
Jenner. Global vaccination efforts have prevented smallpox from appearing in
humans since October 26, 1977, making smallpox the first infectious disease ever
to be eradicated.
What are the two key glycoproteins found in the influenza virus? - correct-answer
-The viral envelope contains two key glycoproteins, hemagglutinins (HA) and
neuraminidase (N). Hemagglutinins are heavily involved in the entry of the viral
particle into a host cell, while neuraminidase proteins are involved in the budding
and release of new viral particles from the host cell.
chickenpox family and length - correct-answer -Herpesvirus, ~125,000
mumps family and length - correct-answer -Paramyxovirus, ~15,000