Microbiology

Question 1

What is the function of bacterial fimbriae?

1. Protecting the bacterial cell from contact with other hostile bacteria
2. Sensing the environment around the bacterial cell
3. Scavenging rare nutrients, particularly iron from the environment
4. Adhesion of the bacterial cell to surfaces such as host cells
5. Motility to allow the bacteria to move in a liquid environment

Answer 1

4. Adhesion of the bacterial cell to surfaces such as host cells

Question 2

Virus structure: which of these is found in an influenza virus but not a herpes virus

1. Glycoprotein
2. Lipid bilayer
3. RNA
4. Capsid protein
5. Enzymes

Answer 2

3. RNA

Question 3

Virus structure is studied by:

1. Dissecting the virus
2. Negative staining with heavy metals
3. Light microscopy with stains
4. Iridescence and electron microscopy
5. Reverse osmosis

Answer 3

Negative staining with heavy metals

Question 4

Which nematode superfamily is characterised by having (i) extensive somatic migration in the final host during its life cycle (in the majority of cases); and (ii) thick-shelled eggs containing third-stage (L3) larvae as an important infective stage.

1. Ascaridoidea
2. Oxyuroidea
3. Rhabditoidea
4. Stronglyoidea
5. Trichostrongyloidea

Answer 4

1. Ascaridoidea

Question 5

Adult nematodes in which superfamily (i) have a “stichosome”-type oesophagus; and (ii) are most commonly found in the intestinal or respiratory tracts of infected hosts.

1. Trichuroidea
2. Spiruroidea
3. Metastrongyloidea
4. Trichostrongyloidea
5. Ancylostomatoidea

Answer 5

1. Trichuroidea

Question 6

In a typical year, which of the following is the most important factor that determines the speed of development of Ostertagia eggs to the infective larval stage (L3) at pasture?

1. Temperature
2. Rainfall
3. Grass length
4. Turnout date
5. Stocking density

Answer 6

1. Temperature

Question 7

Which are the final magnifications available on the CX31 microscopes used in the Teaching Laboratory?

1. 5, 20, 40, 100
2. 25, 100, 400 and 1000
3. 40, 100, 400 and 1000
4. 50, 200, 400 and 1000
5. 4, 10, 40 and 100

Answer 7

3. 40, 100, 400 and 1000

Question 8

Which of the following is not used by viruses to spread within the host?

1. Blood vessels
2. Macrophages
3. Lymphatic vessels
4. Nerves
5. Muscle fibers

Answer 8

5. Muscle fibers

Question 9

Which part of the microscope is used to ensure that optimum illumination is available in the plane of the specimen?

1. Condenser diaphragm.
2. Condenser centring controls
3. Condenser focus control.
4. Specimen focus controls.
5. Illumination Brightness control.

Answer 9

Condenser focus control.

Question 10

Who drew up the postulates to assess if a microorganism is the cause of a particular disease?

1. Robert Koch
2. Louis Pasteur
3. Alexander Fleming
4. Edward Jenner
5. Marie Curie

Answer 10

Robert Koch