Question 1

Which of the following statements best explains why bacteriophages do not infect human cells?

Accepted Answer

Human cells lack the specific proteins and carbohydrates on their surface that bacteriophages recognize.

Question 2

A patient is prescribed antibiotics for a bacterial infection but stops taking them after feeling better, before finishing the course. What is the most likely consequence of this action?

Accepted Answer

Some bacteria may survive and develop resistance to the antibiotic.

Question 3

Which of the following is a function of plasmids in bacteria?

Accepted Answer

Carrying genes that can confer antibiotic resistance and be exchanged between bacteria.

Question 4

Retroviruses are unique among viruses because they:

Accepted Answer

Use reverse transcriptase to convert viral RNA into DNA and insert it into the host's genome.

Question 5

Which of the following best describes the role of helpful bacteria in the human body?

Accepted Answer

They extract otherwise inaccessible calories and nutrients and outcompete harmful bacteria.

Question 6

Which equation best represents the exponential growth of bacteria under ideal conditions, where $$N_0 is $$the initial number of bacteria, $$r is $$the rate of reproduction, and $$t is $$time in hours?

Accepted Answer

$$N = N_0$ 	imes e$$^{rt}$$

Question 7

Why are antibiotics generally ineffective against viral infections?

Accepted Answer

Viruses lack the cellular structures targeted by antibiotics, such as cell walls and ribosomes.

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT a component found in all bacteria?

Accepted Answer

Mitochondria

Question 9

A scientist discovers a new infectious agent that consists only of a protein and causes disease by misfolding other proteins. What is this agent most likely classified as?

Accepted Answer

Prion

Question 10

Which process allows bacteria to increase genetic diversity despite reproducing asexually?

Accepted Answer

Exchange of plasmids between cells

Question 11

Which of the following is a real-world example of a pathogenic bacterium and its effect?

Accepted Answer

Bacterial gangrene, where enzymes dissolve connections between muscle cells and then digest cells.

Question 12

What is the main reason why antibiotic resistance is a growing concern in hospitals?

Accepted Answer

Some bacteria have evolved resistance to all common antibiotics, making infections difficult to treat.

Question 13

Which of the following statements about viruses is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

Viruses are not considered living because they cannot reproduce or carry out metabolism without a host.

Question 14

Which of the following is a correct statement about the human microbiota?

Accepted Answer

It consists of many bacteria living on and inside the human body, most of which are not pathogenic.

Question 15

Which of the following is a special type of virus that uses reverse transcriptase?

Accepted Answer

Retrovirus

Question 16

Which of the following is a reason why bacteria can reproduce extremely rapidly?

Accepted Answer

They use asexual reproduction, allowing for quick cell division.

Question 17

Which of the following is NOT a target of antibiotics?

Accepted Answer

Viral reverse transcriptase

Question 18

If 5-8% of human DNA is estimated to be of viral origin, what does this suggest about the evolutionary history of humans?

Accepted Answer

Ancient viral infections have left remnants of viral DNA in the human genome.

Question 19

Which of the following is a correct statement about antibiotics?

Accepted Answer

Antibiotics are only effective against bacteria, not viruses.

Viruses, Bacteria, and Infectious Agents: Structure, Diversity, and Antibiotics

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