Question 1

Pathogen population size correlates with the severity of an infection. What is the most inexpensive, accurate way to quantify a bacterial population in the clinical laboratory?

Accepted Answer

A)  culturing bacteria 
B)  directly counting the bacteria with a gridded slide 
C)  using a spectrophotometer to obtain an indirect bacterial count 
D)  counting with a fluorescence-activated cell sorter 
A)  culturing bacteria 
B)  directly counting the bacteria with a gridded slide 
C)  using a spectrophotometer to obtain an indirect bacterial count 
D)  counting with a fluorescence-activated cell sorter

Question 2

When treated for an infection with a strong antibiotic, the normal microbiota of the gut may also be destroyed, subsequently resulting in an intestinal infection with endospore-forming bacteria such as ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  Escherichia coli 
B)  Campylobacter jejuni 
C)  Salmonella typhimurium 
D)  Clostridium difficile 
A)  Escherichia coli 
B)  Campylobacter jejuni 
C)  Salmonella typhimurium 
D)  Clostridium difficile

Question 3

Epidemiologists ________. (Select all that apply)

Accepted Answer

A)  are clinical laboratorians who focus on microbial identification and quantification 
B)  help develop effective disease treatment/prevention programs 
C)  use surveillance protocols to predict disease outbreaks 
D)  investigate the geographic distribution of illness 
A)  are clinical laboratorians who focus on microbial identification and quantification 
B)  help develop effective disease treatment/prevention programs 
C)  use surveillance protocols to predict disease outbreaks 
D)  investigate the geographic distribution of illness

Question 4

What is the difference in morbidity versus mortality rates in tracing disease progression in a population within a geographic area? (Select all that apply)

Accepted Answer

A)  morbidity is the incidence rate of a disease within a population 
B)  mortality is the number of deaths in patients diagnosed with the disease in a specific area within a specific time period 
C)  mortality is a subset of the morbidity rate of a disease 
D)  both morbidity and mortality rates are needed to accurately determine disease prevalence 
A)  morbidity is the incidence rate of a disease within a population 
B)  mortality is the number of deaths in patients diagnosed with the disease in a specific area within a specific time period 
C)  mortality is a subset of the morbidity rate of a disease 
D)  both morbidity and mortality rates are needed to accurately determine disease prevalence

Question 5

Besides providing nutrients for this year's crop of soybeans, peanuts or other legumes, what does the symbiotic relationship with Rhizobium do for NEXT year's crop?

Accepted Answer

A)  It enriches soil with nitrogenous compounds that may be used by next year's crop without the need for additional fertilizer. 
B)  It enriches soil with decaying organic matter from bacterium. 
C)  It enriches soil with proteins and nucleic acids made with nitrogen. 
D)  It enriches soil with carbohydrates made from glucose created by plant. 
A)  It enriches soil with nitrogenous compounds that may be used by next year's crop without the need for additional fertilizer. 
B)  It enriches soil with decaying organic matter from bacterium. 
C)  It enriches soil with proteins and nucleic acids made with nitrogen. 
D)  It enriches soil with carbohydrates made from glucose created by plant.

Question 6

Bacteria can be found living in ________. (Select all that apply)

Accepted Answer

A)  clouds 
B)  the complex digestive system of ruminants 
C)  the roots of clover plants 
D)  ponds, lakes, and other aquatic habitats 
A)  clouds 
B)  the complex digestive system of ruminants 
C)  the roots of clover plants 
D)  ponds, lakes, and other aquatic habitats

Question 7

How did the production of oxygen by ancient photosynthetic microbes change the course of evolution on Earth? (Select all that apply)

Accepted Answer

A)  Oxygen gas combined with UV light in the stratosphere to produce an ozone layer that shields Earth from the sun's excess UV rays. 
B)  The presence of oxygen gas allowed for evolution of aerobic respiration. 
C)  Oxygen is a greenhouse gas, which caused global warming to overcome the Ice Age and promote the survival of many organisms. 
D)  Oxygen is toxic to the ancient anaerobic microbes, killing them off to prevent over-population of the planet. 
A)  Oxygen gas combined with UV light in the stratosphere to produce an ozone layer that shields Earth from the sun's excess UV rays. 
B)  The presence of oxygen gas allowed for evolution of aerobic respiration. 
C)  Oxygen is a greenhouse gas, which caused global warming to overcome the Ice Age and promote the survival of many organisms. 
D)  Oxygen is toxic to the ancient anaerobic microbes, killing them off to prevent over-population of the planet.

Question 8

The earliest form of biotechnology was used to make ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  beer 
B)  kefir 
C)  vitamins 
D)  human insulin 
A)  beer 
B)  kefir 
C)  vitamins 
D)  human insulin

Question 9

Examine the photo below and determine which of the following statements is accurate. (Select all that apply)

Accepted Answer

A)  The zone of growth inhibition is an example of antibiosis. 
B)  The Staphylococcus aureus is secreting an antibiotic compound. 
C)  The growth of Penicillium notatum is being inhibited by the secretions of the Staphylococcus aureus. 
D)  It is clear that the Staphylococcus aureus is resistant to the inhibitory chemicals secreted by the Penicillium notatum. 
A)  The zone of growth inhibition is an example of antibiosis. 
B)  The Staphylococcus aureus is secreting an antibiotic compound. 
C)  The growth of Penicillium notatum is being inhibited by the secretions of the Staphylococcus aureus. 
D)  It is clear that the Staphylococcus aureus is resistant to the inhibitory chemicals secreted by the Penicillium notatum.

Question 10

How do pathogens gain entry into the human body? (Select all that apply)

Accepted Answer

A)  Nose 
B)  Mouth 
C)  Breaks in skin 
D)  Urethra 
A)  Nose 
B)  Mouth 
C)  Breaks in skin 
D)  Urethra

Question 11

Culture media, such as the example shown below, help identify microbial specimens in the laboratory because they contain ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  additional protein 
B)  a buffer to maintain the pH 
C)  indicator dyes 
D)  reduced salts to adjust the osmotic environment 
A)  additional protein 
B)  a buffer to maintain the pH 
C)  indicator dyes 
D)  reduced salts to adjust the osmotic environment

Question 12

Why are biogeochemical cycles crucial to the maintenance of our planet's ecosystems? (Select all that apply)

Accepted Answer

A)  unusable forms of elements such as carbon, sulfur and nitrogen are converted to forms usable by living organisms. 
B)  decomposition of dead organisms releases minerals back into the ecosystem for reuse by other organisms. 
C)  breakdown of waste materials from living organisms puts bacteria back into the environment. 
D)  these cycles prevent pollutants from spreading throughout the biosphere. 
A)  unusable forms of elements such as carbon, sulfur and nitrogen are converted to forms usable by living organisms. 
B)  decomposition of dead organisms releases minerals back into the ecosystem for reuse by other organisms. 
C)  breakdown of waste materials from living organisms puts bacteria back into the environment. 
D)  these cycles prevent pollutants from spreading throughout the biosphere.

Question 13

What stage of pathogenesis does consistent, correct hand-washing interfere with?

Accepted Answer

A)  Pathogen entry 
B)  Pathogen attachment 
C)  Host damage 
D)  Thwarting the host immune system 
A)  Pathogen entry 
B)  Pathogen attachment 
C)  Host damage 
D)  Thwarting the host immune system

Question 14

Place in order the following events regarding the role of microbes in the evolution of life on Earth:
1) terrestrial life emerges
2) first prokaryotic cells evolve
3) photosynthesis occurs
4) chemical reactions generate the molecules needed for life
5) aerobic respiration evolves

Accepted Answer

A)  1, 2, 3, 4, 5 
B)  5, 4, 3, 2, 1 
C)  2, 3, 4, 1, 5 
D)  4, 2, 4, 5, 1 
A)  1, 2, 3, 4, 5 
B)  5, 4, 3, 2, 1 
C)  2, 3, 4, 1, 5 
D)  4, 2, 4, 5, 1

Question 15

Which of the following diseases is NOT caused by contamination and consumption of unpasteurized milk?

Accepted Answer

A)  Brucellosis 
B)  Diphtheria 
C)  Q fever 
D)  Polio 
A)  Brucellosis 
B)  Diphtheria 
C)  Q fever 
D)  Polio

Question 16

________ were probably the first forms of cellular life on Earth.

Accepted Answer

A)  Archaea 
B)  Bacteria 
C)  Viruses 
D)  Protozoans 
A)  Archaea 
B)  Bacteria 
C)  Viruses 
D)  Protozoans

Question 17

Examine the micrograph and determine what features can be used to identify this potential pathogen. (Select all that apply)

Accepted Answer

A)  Color 
B)  Shape 
C)  Number 
D)  Arrangement 
A)  Color 
B)  Shape 
C)  Number 
D)  Arrangement

Question 18

What are the major problems encountered in the worldwide effort to eradicate polio? (Select all that apply)

Accepted Answer

A)  increased risk of viral transmission in the unsanitary conditions of refugee camps. 
B)  disruption of preventive medical programs including childhood vaccinations. 
C)  a lack of WHO and UNICEF health care workers to deploy to refugee camps. 
D)  insufficient supply of the oral polio vaccine. 
A)  increased risk of viral transmission in the unsanitary conditions of refugee camps. 
B)  disruption of preventive medical programs including childhood vaccinations. 
C)  a lack of WHO and UNICEF health care workers to deploy to refugee camps. 
D)  insufficient supply of the oral polio vaccine.

Question 19

Your normal microbiota help protect you against transient pathogenic microbes by using all of the following strategies except ________. (Select all that apply)

Accepted Answer

A)  competing for space in and on the body's microhabitats 
B)  producing toxic metabolic byproducts that prevent pathogen colonization 
C)  secreting antibodies to kill off potential pathogens 
D)  secreting acids that discourage pathogen growth 
A)  competing for space in and on the body's microhabitats 
B)  producing toxic metabolic byproducts that prevent pathogen colonization 
C)  secreting antibodies to kill off potential pathogens 
D)  secreting acids that discourage pathogen growth

Question 20

________ is an example of a non-specific innate response to a potential pathogen. (Select all that apply)

Accepted Answer

A)  Antibody production 
B)  Engulfment by certain leukocytes 
C)  Inflammation 
D)  Attack by cytotoxic T lymphocytes 
A)  Antibody production 
B)  Engulfment by certain leukocytes 
C)  Inflammation 
D)  Attack by cytotoxic T lymphocytes

Exam 1: Microbial World

Pathogen population size correlates with the severity of an infection. What is the most inexpensive, accurate way to quantify a bacterial population in the clinical laboratory?

When treated for an infection with a strong antibiotic, the normal microbiota of the gut may also be destroyed, subsequently resulting in an intestinal infection with endospore-forming bacteria such as ________.

Epidemiologists ________. (Select all that apply)

What is the difference in morbidity versus mortality rates in tracing disease progression in a population within a geographic area? (Select all that apply)

Besides providing nutrients for this year's crop of soybeans, peanuts or other legumes, what does the symbiotic relationship with Rhizobium do for NEXT year's crop?

Bacteria can be found living in ________. (Select all that apply)

How did the production of oxygen by ancient photosynthetic microbes change the course of evolution on Earth? (Select all that apply)

The earliest form of biotechnology was used to make ________.

Examine the photo below and determine which of the following statements is accurate. (Select all that apply)

How do pathogens gain entry into the human body? (Select all that apply)

Culture media, such as the example shown below, help identify microbial specimens in the laboratory because they contain ________.

Why are biogeochemical cycles crucial to the maintenance of our planet's ecosystems? (Select all that apply)

What stage of pathogenesis does consistent, correct hand-washing interfere with?

Place in order the following events regarding the role of microbes in the evolution of life on Earth: 1) terrestrial life emerges 2) first prokaryotic cells evolve 3) photosynthesis occurs 4) chemical reactions generate the molecules needed for life 5) aerobic respiration evolves

Which of the following diseases is NOT caused by contamination and consumption of unpasteurized milk?

________ were probably the first forms of cellular life on Earth.

Examine the micrograph and determine what features can be used to identify this potential pathogen. (Select all that apply)

What are the major problems encountered in the worldwide effort to eradicate polio? (Select all that apply)

Your normal microbiota help protect you against transient pathogenic microbes by using all of the following strategies except ________. (Select all that apply)

________ is an example of a non-specific innate response to a potential pathogen. (Select all that apply)

An Introduction to the Chemical Basis of Life

The Biochemistry of Macromolecules

Microscopy

Prokaryote Organisms

Eukaryotic Cells

Eukaryotic Organisms

Viruses and Infectious Particles

Metabolism

Microbial Genetics and Genetic Engineering

Microbial Growth and Control

Antimicrobial Agents

Innate Immunity

Adaptive Immunity

Vaccination, Immunoassays, and Immune Disorders

Microbial Pathogenesis

Epidemiology and Infection Control

Diseases of the Respiratory System

Diseases of the Skin and Eyes

Diseases of the Gastrointestinal System

Diseases of the Urogenital System

Diseases of the Nervous System

Diseases of the Cardiovascular and Lymphatic Systems

Environmental and Industrial Microbiology

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