Microbiology, Practice Questions and
Definitions | Practice Questions & Exam
Preparation Material
Introduction:
This document provides an extensive collection of
microbiology practice questions, definitions, and correct
answers aligned with McGraw Hill Connect Microbiology
content. It covers core topics such as microbial structure,
classification, pathogenicity, epidemiology, immunology, cell
envelopes, and the history of microbiology.
The material is organized in a question-and-answer format and
is well suited for exam preparation, concept review, and
reinforcing key terminology commonly tested in introductory
microbiology courses.
Exam Questions and Answers:
propagated epidemic ---Correct Answer---results from an
infectious agent that is communicable from person to person
and is sustained over time in a population (seasonal influenza)
,endogenous infection ---Correct Answer---occurs if normal
microbiota enter sterile tissue
fimbrae ---Correct Answer---short appendages: structures on
the surface of bacteria used for adhesion; increase virulence.
allow cells to colonize host tissues and participate in biofilm
production
pathogenicity ---Correct Answer---ability of a microorganism
to cause disease
virulence ---Correct Answer---degree of pathogenicity
opportunistic pathogens ---Correct Answer---not usually
pathogenic to healthy persons with normal immune system
functions because these microbes do not have well-developed
virulence factors (i.e Candida or Pseudomonas)
stages of human disease ---Correct Answer---incubation
period, prodromal stage, acute phase, and convalescent period.
fomite ---Correct Answer---A physical object that serves to
transmit an infectious agent from person to person.
,epidemiology ---Correct Answer---study of disease in the
community/ population
prevalence ---Correct Answer---The number or proportion of
cases of a particular disease or condition present in a
population at a given time.
incidence ---Correct Answer---The number or rate of new
cases of a particular condition during a specific time.
common source epidemic ---Correct Answer---An outbreak
resulting from common exposure to a single source of an
infection that occurred over a period of time.
point source epidemic ---Correct Answer---Epidemic in which
the infectious agent came from a single source and all victims
were exposed to that source, at approximately the same time
proppagated epidemic ---Correct Answer---An epidemic that is
sustained over time by its spread from person to person.
, passive carrier ---Correct Answer---persons who mechanically
transfer a pathogen without ever being infected by it
convalescent carrier ---Correct Answer---a person who is
clinically recovered from an infectious disease but still capable
of transmitting the infectious agent to others
asymptomatic carrier ---Correct Answer---someone who is
infected with a disease organism but is not experiencing
symptoms
incubating carrier ---Correct Answer---spreads pathogen
during incubation period, just prior to showing symptoms
vertical transmission ---Correct Answer---parent to offspring
horizontal transmission ---Correct Answer---person to person
indirect transmission ---Correct Answer---the spread of
infection between hosts with the aid of a mediating source