Question 1

Which of the following best describes a 'virion'?

Accepted Answer

A complete, infectious virus particle outside a host cell

Question 2

A patient is diagnosed with influenza. The virus is found to have undergone a major genetic change, resulting in a new hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) combination. Which process is responsible for this change?

Accepted Answer

Antigenic shift

Question 3

Which of the following statements about bacteriophages is correct?

Accepted Answer

They are viruses that specifically infect bacteria

Question 4

A virus that remains dormant in the host cell and can reactivate later is best described as causing which type of infection?

Accepted Answer

Latent infection

Question 5

Which of the following best defines 'tropism' in virology?

Accepted Answer

The specificity of a virus for a particular host tissue or cell type

Question 6

A patient is exposed to rabies virus and receives treatment to prevent infection. This treatment is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Post exposure prophylaxis

Question 7

Which of the following is a function of interferons in viral infections?

Accepted Answer

They stimulate neighboring cells to produce antiviral proteins

Question 8

A virus is described as 'oncogenic.' What does this mean?

Accepted Answer

It can induce cancer in the host

Question 9

Which of the following best describes the role of capsomeres?

Accepted Answer

They are protein subunits that assemble to form the viral capsid

Question 10

A patient is tested for HIV using a latex agglutination test. What is the principle behind this test?

Accepted Answer

Detection of antigen-antibody complexes causing visible clumping

Question 11

Which of the following best defines 'antigenic drift'?

Accepted Answer

A gradual accumulation of mutations in viral genes encoding surface proteins

Question 12

A virus integrates its genome into the host cell's DNA and remains dormant. What is this integrated viral DNA called in animal cells?

Accepted Answer

Provirus

Question 13

Which of the following is a common mechanism by which nucleoside analogs inhibit viral replication?

Accepted Answer

They mimic natural nucleotides and terminate viral DNA synthesis

Question 14

A patient is infected with a virus that causes a persistent infection. Which of the following best describes this type of infection?

Accepted Answer

The virus remains in the host for long periods, often with ongoing replication

Question 15

Which of the following best describes the 'seroconversion window'?

Accepted Answer

The time between infection and the appearance of detectable antibodies

Question 16

Which of the following is true about the host range of a virus?

Accepted Answer

It is determined by the virus's ability to attach to specific host cell receptors

Question 17

A bacteriophage infects a bacterium and causes the bacterium to express a new toxin gene. This phenomenon is known as:

Accepted Answer

Phage conversion

Question 18

Which of the following best describes an 'episomal' viral genome?

Accepted Answer

A viral genome that exists as an independent DNA molecule in the host cell

Question 19

Which of the following is the best example of a pandemic?

Accepted Answer

A global outbreak of influenza affecting multiple continents

Question 20

A laboratory technician uses a latex agglutination test to detect the presence of a viral antigen in a patient's sample. Which of the following outcomes would indicate a positive result?

Accepted Answer

Visible clumping of latex beads due to antigen-antibody interaction

Viruses and Prions: Key Terms and Concepts

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