Microbiology Exam 5 Study Guide – Respiratory System Infections

Q1. Which parts of the body make up the upper respiratory tract? Which parts of the body make up the lower respiratory tract?

Background

Topic: Human Respiratory System Anatomy

This question tests your understanding of the anatomical divisions of the respiratory system, which is important for identifying where different infections occur.

Key Terms:

• Upper respiratory tract: The portion of the respiratory system above the vocal cords.

• Lower respiratory tract: The portion of the respiratory system below the vocal cords.

Step-by-Step Guidance

1. Recall the main anatomical structures involved in breathing, starting from the nose/mouth down to the lungs.

2. Identify which structures are considered part of the upper respiratory tract (think about the path air takes before reaching the trachea).

3. Identify which structures are considered part of the lower respiratory tract (think about the path air takes after passing the larynx/vocal cords).

4. List the main organs or regions for each tract, making sure not to mix them up.

Try solving on your own before revealing the answer!

Final Answer:

Upper respiratory tract: Nose, nasal cavity, mouth, pharynx (throat), and larynx (above the vocal cords).

Lower respiratory tract: Larynx (below the vocal cords), trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, and lungs.

Knowing these divisions helps in understanding where different infections occur and how they are classified.

Q2. Define the following terms: pharyngitis, laryngitis, tonsillitis, sinusitis, and epiglottitis.

Background

Topic: Inflammatory Diseases of the Upper Respiratory Tract

This question tests your ability to recognize and define common inflammatory conditions affecting different parts of the upper respiratory tract.

Key Terms:

• Pharyngitis

• Laryngitis

• Tonsillitis

• Sinusitis

• Epiglottitis

Step-by-Step Guidance

1. For each term, identify the root word (e.g., "pharynx" in pharyngitis) to determine which anatomical structure is affected.

2. Recall that the suffix "-itis" means inflammation.

3. Combine the root and suffix to define each term as inflammation of a specific part of the upper respiratory tract.

4. Write a brief definition for each term, focusing on the location and nature of the inflammation.

Try solving on your own before revealing the answer!

Final Answer:

• Pharyngitis: Inflammation of the pharynx (throat).

• Laryngitis: Inflammation of the larynx (voice box).

• Tonsillitis: Inflammation of the tonsils.

• Sinusitis: Inflammation of the sinuses.

• Epiglottitis: Inflammation of the epiglottis.

These terms are commonly used to describe infections or irritations in specific regions of the upper respiratory tract.

Q3. What is the bacterial cause of Strep throat and Scarlet fever?

Background

Topic: Bacterial Infections of the Upper Respiratory Tract

This question tests your knowledge of the specific bacterial species responsible for two related diseases: Strep throat and Scarlet fever.

Key Terms:

• Strep throat: A common bacterial infection of the throat.

• Scarlet fever: A disease that can develop in some people with Strep throat, characterized by a red rash.

• Bacterial cause: The specific species of bacteria responsible for the infection.

Step-by-Step Guidance

1. Recall the genus and species name of the bacterium commonly associated with Strep throat.

2. Remember that Scarlet fever is a complication caused by the same bacterium, but with additional toxin production.

3. Write the full scientific name (genus and species) of the bacterium, using correct formatting (italicized or underlined in writing).

Try solving on your own before revealing the answer!

Final Answer:

The bacterial cause of both Strep throat and Scarlet fever is Streptococcus pyogenes.

This bacterium is a Group A Streptococcus and is responsible for a variety of upper respiratory tract infections.

Q4. Why do antibiotics not help patients infected with the common cold?

Background

Topic: Viral vs. Bacterial Infections and Antibiotic Use

This question tests your understanding of why antibiotics are ineffective against certain types of infections, specifically the common cold.

Key Terms:

• Antibiotics: Drugs that target bacteria, not viruses.

• Common cold: A viral infection, most often caused by rhinoviruses.

Step-by-Step Guidance

1. Recall what type of pathogen (bacteria, virus, fungus, etc.) causes the common cold.

2. Review how antibiotics work and what types of organisms they target.

3. Explain why antibiotics are not effective against viruses.

Try solving on your own before revealing the answer!

Final Answer:

Antibiotics do not help patients with the common cold because the common cold is caused by viruses, not bacteria. Antibiotics are only effective against bacterial infections, not viral infections.

Q5. What is Pertussis? What bacterial species causes it? Are there any vaccines that can be taken? What are they? Why are babies and small children the most affected by this?

Background

Topic: Bacterial Respiratory Diseases and Vaccination

This question tests your knowledge of Pertussis (whooping cough), its causative agent, available vaccines, and why certain populations are more vulnerable.

Key Terms:

• Pertussis: Also known as whooping cough, a highly contagious respiratory disease.

• Bacterial species: The specific bacterium responsible for the disease.

• Vaccine: A biological preparation that provides immunity to a particular disease.

Step-by-Step Guidance

1. Define Pertussis and describe its main symptoms.

2. Recall the genus and species name of the bacterium that causes Pertussis.

3. Identify the vaccines available for Pertussis and their common names (e.g., DTaP, Tdap).

4. Explain why infants and young children are at higher risk for severe disease.

Try solving on your own before revealing the answer!

Final Answer:

Pertussis is whooping cough, a highly contagious respiratory disease.

It is caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis.

Vaccines such as DTaP (for children) and Tdap (for adolescents and adults) are available to prevent Pertussis.

Babies and small children are most affected because their immune systems are not fully developed and they may not have completed the full vaccine series, making them more susceptible to severe complications.

Q6. What species causes Tuberculosis? What is a skin test? What happens if the skin test is positive? What are the secondary tests?

Background

Topic: Tuberculosis Diagnosis and Causative Agent

This question tests your knowledge of the causative agent of Tuberculosis (TB), the diagnostic process, and follow-up testing.

Key Terms:

• Tuberculosis (TB): A serious infectious disease that mainly affects the lungs.

• Skin test: A diagnostic tool for TB exposure (e.g., Mantoux test).

• Secondary tests: Additional tests to confirm TB infection.

Step-by-Step Guidance

1. Recall the genus and species name of the bacterium that causes TB.

2. Describe what a TB skin test is and how it is performed.

3. Explain what a positive skin test indicates (exposure or infection).

4. List secondary tests that are used to confirm active TB infection.

Try solving on your own before revealing the answer!

Final Answer:

Tuberculosis is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

The skin test (Mantoux test) involves injecting a small amount of tuberculin into the skin and checking for a reaction.

A positive skin test means the person has been exposed to TB bacteria. Secondary tests include chest X-rays and sputum analysis to confirm active infection.

Q7. What causes influenza? What type of genome does this virus have? What are the symptoms of influenza? What is the purpose of hemagglutinin (HA) spikes? What is the purpose of neuraminidase (NA) spikes?

Background

Topic: Influenza Virus Structure and Function

This question tests your understanding of the causative agent of influenza, its genetic material, symptoms, and the roles of viral surface proteins.

Key Terms:

• Influenza: A contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses.

• Genome: The genetic material of the virus (RNA or DNA).

• Hemagglutinin (HA): A viral surface protein involved in host cell entry.

• Neuraminidase (NA): A viral surface protein involved in viral release from host cells.

Step-by-Step Guidance

1. Identify the type of pathogen (virus) that causes influenza and its family name.

2. Recall the type of genome influenza viruses have (RNA or DNA, single or double stranded).

3. List common symptoms of influenza.

4. Describe the function of hemagglutinin (HA) spikes in the viral life cycle.

5. Describe the function of neuraminidase (NA) spikes in the viral life cycle.

Try solving on your own before revealing the answer!

Final Answer:

Influenza is caused by the influenza virus (Orthomyxoviridae family).

The virus has a segmented, single-stranded, negative-sense RNA genome.

Symptoms include fever, chills, muscle aches, cough, sore throat, and fatigue.

Hemagglutinin (HA) spikes help the virus attach to and enter host cells.

Neuraminidase (NA) spikes help the virus exit infected cells and spread to new cells.

Q8. What species is the specific cause of Histoplasmosis, Coccidioidomycosis, and Pneumocystis Pneumonia?

Background

Topic: Fungal Respiratory Infections

This question tests your knowledge of the specific fungal species responsible for three important respiratory diseases.

Key Terms:

• Histoplasmosis: A fungal infection caused by inhaling spores.

• Coccidioidomycosis: Also known as Valley Fever, a fungal infection.

• Pneumocystis Pneumonia: A fungal infection, especially in immunocompromised patients.

Step-by-Step Guidance

1. Recall the genus and species names for the fungi that cause each disease.

2. Make sure to match each disease with its correct causative agent.

3. Write the scientific names in proper format (italicized or underlined in writing).

Try solving on your own before revealing the answer!

Final Answer:

• Histoplasmosis: Histoplasma capsulatum

• Coccidioidomycosis: Coccidioides immitis

• Pneumocystis Pneumonia: Pneumocystis jirovecii

Each of these diseases is caused by a specific fungal species that can infect the lungs, especially in immunocompromised individuals.