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Med School Y2 > Microbiology > Flashcards

Microbiology Flashcards

1
Q

What is the composition of a naked virus?

A

Nucleic acid + capsid (without an envelope).

Example: Hepatitis A virus

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2
Q

What is the term for a virus genome integrated into host DNA?

A

Provirus.

N/A

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3
Q

What type of virus is responsible for cold sores and shingles?

A

Herpes simplex virus and Varicella zoster virus, respectively.

N/A

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4
Q

What is the structure used by bacteriophages to infect bacteria?

A

Tail, which injects the viral nucleic acid into the host.

N/A

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5
Q

What is the role of gp120 in HIV?

A

Attachment protein that binds to CD4 receptors on T-helper cells.

N/A

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6
Q

What kind of bacteria are Treponema pallidum, and what disease do they cause?

A

Spirochetes; they cause syphilis.

N/A

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7
Q

What is the structure of Mycobacterium tuberculosis?

A

Acid-fast, rod-shaped bacterium.

N/A

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8
Q

Which bacteria produce endospores?

A

Bacillus and Clostridium species.

N/A

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9
Q

What is the disease caused by Vibrio cholerae?

A

Cholera.

N/A

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10
Q

What type of genome do most RNA viruses possess?

A

Single-stranded RNA, either positive-sense or negative-sense.

N/A

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11
Q

What kind of inclusions are characteristic of cells infected with rabies virus?

A

Negri bodies.

N/A

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12
Q

What is the main structural difference between Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria?

A

Gram-positive have a thick peptidoglycan layer; Gram-negative have a thin peptidoglycan layer and an outer membrane.

N/A

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13
Q

Which enzyme is used by HIV to transcribe RNA into DNA?

A

Reverse transcriptase.

N/A

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14
Q

What organism is responsible for tuberculosis?

A

Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

N/A

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15
Q

What is the causative agent of smallpox?

A

Variola virus.

N/A

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16
Q

What is a viroid?

A

A short, naked fragment of single-stranded RNA that infects plants.

N/A

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17
Q

What bacterial structure is composed of a capsule and protects from phagocytosis?

A

Glycocalyx.

N/A

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18
Q

What enzyme do Staphylococcus aureus bacteria produce that allows them to clot blood?

A

Coagulase.

N/A

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19
Q

What shape is characteristic of icosahedral viruses?

A

A polyhedral shape with 20 triangular facets.

N/A

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20
Q

What type of bacteria are Escherichia coli (E. coli)?

A

Gram-negative rod-shaped bacteria.

Example sentence: Escherichia coli is a common cause of urinary tract infections.

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21
Q

Which virus is transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes and causes birth defects?

A

Zika virus.

Additional information: Zika virus can also be sexually transmitted.

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22
Q

What structure allows bacteria to transfer genetic material during conjugation?

A

Pili (specifically, sex pili).

Example sentence: Sex pili are essential for the transfer of antibiotic resistance genes.

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23
Q

What is the role of hemolysins produced by Streptococcus bacteria?

A

They lyse red blood cells to release iron.

Example sentence: Hemolysins contribute to the pathogenicity of Streptococcus infections.

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24
Q

What virus causes infectious mononucleosis and is linked to certain cancers like Burkitt lymphoma?

A

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).

Example sentence: Epstein-Barr virus infects B cells and can lead to lymphoma.

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25
Q

What bacterial genus causes tetanus and botulism?

A

Clostridium.

Additional information: Clostridium species are anaerobic and form spores.

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26
Q

What is the process by which a virus acquires an envelope from the host cell?

A

Budding off.

Example sentence: Budding off allows the virus to escape the host cell without causing immediate cell death.

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27
Q

What are prions and what disease do they cause?

A

Infectious proteins that cause fatal neurological diseases like Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

Additional information: Prions are misfolded proteins that induce other proteins to misfold.

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28
Q

What is the primary function of bacterial endospores?

A

To survive harsh environmental conditions.

Example sentence: Endospores allow bacteria to remain dormant until conditions are favorable for growth.

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29
Q

What type of genetic material do retroviruses like HIV contain?

A

Single-stranded, positive-sense RNA.

Additional information: Retroviruses use reverse transcriptase to convert their RNA genome into DNA.

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30
Q

What enzyme protects bacteria from toxic oxygen species by breaking down hydrogen peroxide?

A

Catalase.

Example sentence: Catalase activity can be tested using hydrogen peroxide and observing the release of oxygen bubbles.

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31
Q

What is the causative agent of diphtheria?

A

Corynebacterium diphtheriae.

Example sentence: Diphtheria toxin produced by Corynebacterium diphtheriae can cause severe respiratory symptoms.

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32
Q

What does the enzyme hyaluronidase do?

A

Breaks down hyaluronic acid in connective tissue, facilitating bacterial spread.

Example sentence: Hyaluronidase is known as a spreading factor in bacterial infections.

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33
Q

Which bacteria have a waxy cell wall that resists staining and requires acid-fast staining?

A

Mycobacterium species.

Example sentence: Mycobacterium tuberculosis is an acid-fast bacterium that causes tuberculosis.

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34
Q

What does the term “latent viral infection” refer to?

A

A virus that remains dormant in the host and can reactivate later.

Example sentence: Varicella-zoster virus can cause shingles due to reactivation from a latent infection.

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35
Q

What bacterial species causes Lyme disease?

A

Borrelia burgdorferi.

Example sentence: Borrelia burgdorferi is transmitted by ticks and causes Lyme disease.

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36
Q

What is the target of penicillin in bacterial cells?

A

The bacterial cell wall, specifically peptidoglycan synthesis.

Example sentence: Penicillin inhibits the cross-linking of peptidoglycan chains in bacterial cell walls.

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37
Q

What virus causes Kaposi’s sarcoma in AIDS patients?

A

Human Herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8).

Example sentence: Human Herpesvirus 8 is associated with the development of Kaposi’s sarcoma in immunocompromised individuals.

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38
Q

What enzyme do some bacteria produce to break down blood clots?

A

Kinases, such as streptokinase.

Additional information: Streptokinase is used therapeutically to dissolve blood clots in conditions like myocardial infarction.

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39
Q

What type of microorganism is Plasmodium, and what disease does it cause?

A

A protozoan that causes malaria.

Example sentence: Plasmodium falciparum is the most deadly species of Plasmodium that causes malaria in humans.

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40
Q

What is the key feature of Gram-negative bacteria’s outer membrane?

A

Lipopolysaccharides (LPS), which act as endotoxins.

Example sentence: Lipopolysaccharides are responsible for the fever and shock seen in Gram-negative sepsis.

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41
Q

What is the structure called that provides bacteria with motility?

A

Flagella.

Example sentence: Bacteria use flagella for swimming and movement towards nutrients.

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42
Q

What genus of bacteria is responsible for pneumonia and other respiratory infections and has a polysaccharide capsule?

A

Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Example sentence: The polysaccharide capsule of Streptococcus pneumoniae is a major virulence factor.

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43
Q

What disease does Treponema pallidum cause, and what is its shape?

A

Syphilis; spirochete.

Example sentence: The spiral shape of Treponema pallidum allows it to move easily through viscous fluids in the body.

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44
Q

What is the causative agent of cholera?

A

Vibrio cholerae.

Example sentence: Cholera toxin produced by Vibrio cholerae leads to profuse watery diarrhea.

45
Q

Which type of bacteria are Listeria monocytogenes, and what condition do they thrive in?

A

Psychrophiles; they thrive in cold environments.

Additional information: Listeria monocytogenes can grow in refrigerated foods and cause foodborne illness.

46
Q

What structure is found in Gram-negative bacteria but not in Gram-positive bacteria?

A

An outer membrane with lipopolysaccharides.

Example sentence: Gram-negative bacteria are more resistant to antibiotics due to the presence of an outer membrane.

47
Q

What type of bacteria are responsible for tuberculosis?

A

Mycobacterium tuberculosis, acid-fast bacteria.

Example sentence: Acid-fast staining is used to identify Mycobacterium tuberculosis in sputum samples.

48
Q

What is a common cause of peptic ulcers, and what is its classification?

A

Helicobacter pylori; Gram-negative spiral-shaped bacteria.

Example sentence: Helicobacter pylori infection is a major risk factor for developing peptic ulcers.

49
Q

What type of virus has a tail structure for attachment, typically seen in bacteriophages?

A

Complex viruses.

Additional information: Complex viruses have elaborate structures for attaching to host cells and injecting genetic material.

50
Q

What is the term for bacteria that can survive without oxygen but grow better with it?

A

Facultative anaerobes.

Example sentence: Facultative anaerobes can switch between aerobic and anaerobic metabolism depending on oxygen availability.

51
Q

What type of microorganisms thrive in extremely high temperatures?

A

Thermophiles.

Example sentence: Thermophiles are commonly found in hot springs and deep-sea hydrothermal vents.

52
Q

What process describes bacterial division?

A

Binary fission.

Example sentence: Binary fission results in the formation of two identical daughter cells.

53
Q

What is the term for bacteria with a thick peptidoglycan layer that stain purple in Gram staining?

A

Gram-positive bacteria.

Example sentence: Gram-positive bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus retain the crystal violet stain in Gram staining.

54
Q

What is a common characteristic of enveloped viruses?

A

They are more sensitive.

Example sentence: Enveloped viruses are easily inactivated by lipid solvents and detergents.

55
Q

What type of microorganisms thrive in extremely high temperatures?

A

Thermophiles

56
Q

What process describes bacterial division?

A

Binary fission

57
Q

What is the term for bacteria with a thick peptidoglycan layer that stain purple in Gram staining?

A

Gram-positive bacteria

58
Q

What is a common characteristic of enveloped viruses?

A

They are more sensitive to environmental factors compared to naked viruses

59
Q

What enzyme converts fibrinogen into fibrin, aiding in clot formation?

A

Coagulase

60
Q

What type of bacteria are classified as obligate anaerobes?

A

Bacteria that cannot survive in the presence of oxygen

61
Q

What are exotoxins, and which type of bacteria typically produce them?

A

Protein toxins secreted by Gram-positive and some Gram-negative bacteria

62
Q

What genus of bacteria is commonly associated with staph infections?

A

Staphylococcus

63
Q

What is the role of reverse transcriptase in retroviruses?

A

It converts viral RNA into DNA

64
Q

What type of bacteria is Bacillus anthracis, and what disease does it cause?

A

Gram-positive rod; causes anthrax

65
Q

What does the enzyme lecithinase break down?

A

Lecithin, a component of cell membranes

66
Q

Which microorganism causes the sexually transmitted infection gonorrhea?

A

Neisseria gonorrhoeae

67
Q

What type of microbe causes malaria?

A

Protozoa (Plasmodium species)

68
Q

What type of bacteria are Campylobacter, and what disease do they cause?

A

Gram-negative spiral-shaped bacteria; cause gastroenteritis

69
Q

Which bacteria have teichoic acids in their cell walls?

A

Gram-positive bacteria

70
Q

What type of virus causes influenza?

A

Influenza virus, an RNA virus

71
Q

What organism is responsible for causing syphilis?

A

Treponema pallidum

72
Q

What bacterium causes syphilis?

A

Treponema pallidum

73
Q

What virus causes infectious mononucleosis and Burkitt lymphoma?

A

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)

74
Q

What bacterium is responsible for tuberculosis?

A

Mycobacterium tuberculosis

75
Q

What is the causative agent of diphtheria?

A

Corynebacterium diphtheriae

76
Q

What bacterium causes tetanus?

A

Clostridium tetani

77
Q

What bacterium is responsible for botulism?

A

Clostridium botulinum

78
Q

What bacterium is associated with gas gangrene?

A

Clostridium perfringens

79
Q

What bacterium causes Lyme disease?

A

Borrelia burgdorferi

80
Q

What bacterium causes gonorrhea?

A

Neisseria gonorrhoeae

81
Q

What bacterium is associated with peptic ulcers and gastritis?

A

Helicobacter pylori

82
Q

What virus causes Kaposi’s sarcoma in AIDS patients?

A

Human Herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8)

83
Q

What bacterium is responsible for anthrax?

A

Bacillus anthracis

84
Q

What bacterium causes cholera?

A

Vibrio cholerae

85
Q

What virus is transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes and causes birth defects?

A

Zika virus

86
Q

What virus is responsible for AIDS?

A

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

87
Q

What virus causes cold sores?

A

Herpes simplex virus (HSV-1)

88
Q

What virus causes chickenpox and shingles?

A

Varicella zoster virus (VZV)

89
Q

What bacterium is responsible for whooping cough?

A

Bordetella pertussis

90
Q

What bacterium causes typhoid fever?

A

Salmonella typhi

91
Q

What bacterium is a major cause of foodborne illness and gastroenteritis?

A

Campylobacter jejuni

92
Q

What microorganism causes malaria?

A

Plasmodium species

93
Q

What bacterium causes leprosy?

A

Mycobacterium leprae

94
Q

What bacterium causes neonatal sepsis?

A

Streptococcus agalactiae (Group B Streptococcus)

95
Q

What virus causes smallpox?

A

Variola virus

96
Q

What bacterium is responsible for strep throat?

A

Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A Streptococcus)

97
Q

What virus causes rabies?

A

Rabies virus

98
Q

What virus causes Ebola?

A

Ebola virus

99
Q

What bacterium is responsible for dental cavities and plaque?

A

Streptococcus mutans

100
Q

What virus causes genital warts and cervical cancer?

A

Human papillomavirus (HPV)

101
Q

What virus family includes the influenza virus?

A

Orthomyxoviridae

102
Q

What virus family includes hepatitis B?

A

Hepadnaviridae

103
Q

What virus causes German measles (rubella)?

A

Rubella virus

104
Q

What virus causes measles?

A

Measles virus (Paramyxoviridae)

105
Q

What bacterium causes Legionnaires’ disease?

A

Legionella pneumophila

106
Q

What bacterium is responsible for brucellosis?

A

Brucella species

107
Q

What bacterium is responsible for listeriosis?

A

Listeria monocytogenes

108
Q

What bacterium is responsible for tuberculosis and leprosy?

A

Mycobacterium species

109
Q

What bacterium is responsible for scarlet fever?

A

Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A Streptococcus)

Med School Y2 (5 decks)

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