Question 1

Which of the following best describes why antibiotics are ineffective against viral infections such as Hepatitis A?

Accepted Answer

Viruses do not have metabolic pathways targeted by antibiotics.

Question 2

A patient is diagnosed with a persistent viral infection. Which of the following best characterizes this type of infection?

Accepted Answer

The virus is gradually released over a long period, often leading to fatal outcomes.

Question 3

Which of the following is a key difference between viruses and bacteria?

Accepted Answer

Viruses are obligatory intracellular parasites, while bacteria can often live independently.

Question 4

A scientist is culturing bacteriophages in the laboratory. Which method would best allow them to quantify the number of infectious phage particles?

Accepted Answer

Counting the number of plaques formed on a bacterial lawn.

Question 5

Which of the following steps is unique to the replication of retroviruses such as HIV?

Accepted Answer

Integration of viral DNA into the host genome using reverse transcriptase.

Question 6

A virus with a single-stranded, negative-sense RNA genome must first do what upon entering a host cell?

Accepted Answer

Transcribe a complementary positive-sense RNA to serve as mRNA.

Question 7

Which of the following best explains why continuous cell lines are preferred over primary cell lines for culturing animal viruses?

Accepted Answer

Continuous cell lines can be maintained through many generations, providing a consistent supply of host cells.

Question 8

Which of the following is a defining feature of a complex virus, such as a T-even bacteriophage?

Accepted Answer

It has both polyhedral and helical structures, with additional components like tail fibers.

Question 9

A patient develops cold sores years after the initial infection with herpes simplex virus. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

A latent viral infection.

Question 10

Which of the following best describes the process of specialized transduction?

Accepted Answer

Only specific bacterial genes adjacent to the prophage are transferred to another bacterium via a phage.

Question 11

Which of the following is true regarding prions?

Accepted Answer

They are infectious proteins that can cause neurodegenerative diseases.

Question 12

Which of the following is a correct pairing of a viral family and a disease it causes?

Accepted Answer

Herpesviridae – Chickenpox

Question 13

A virus is described as having a lipid, protein, and carbohydrate coating. What is this structure called?

Accepted Answer

Envelope

Question 14

Which of the following best explains why viruses are sensitive to interferon but not to antibiotics?

Accepted Answer

Interferon targets viral replication, while antibiotics target bacterial structures or metabolism.

Question 15

Which of the following is a characteristic of viroids?

Accepted Answer

They are short pieces of naked RNA that infect plants.

Question 16

Which of the following steps occurs during the lytic cycle of a T-even bacteriophage but NOT during the lysogenic cycle?

Accepted Answer

Immediate lysis and death of the host cell.

Question 17

Which of the following best describes the host range of a virus?

Accepted Answer

The spectrum of host cells a virus can infect, determined by specific attachment sites and cellular factors.

Question 18

Which of the following is a correct statement about the biosynthesis of DNA viruses?

Accepted Answer

DNA viruses replicate their DNA in the nucleus using viral enzymes and synthesize capsid proteins in the cytoplasm.

Question 19

A virus is classified as a member of the family Papovaviridae. What is the correct ending for its genus name?

Accepted Answer

-virus

Question 20

Which of the following laboratory techniques could be used to identify the presence of influenza virus in a patient sample?

Accepted Answer

Serological tests such as Western blotting

Viruses, Viroids, and Prions: Structure, Classification, and Multiplication

Study Guide - Practice Questions