NEET-PG 2012 - Microbiology Practice Questions

Q: Aseptate hyphae is not seen in which of the following fungi?

Aspergillus. ***Correct: Aspergillus*** - *Aspergillus* species are characterized by **septate hyphae** and **acute angle branching**, distinguishing them from zygomycetes. - They cause diseases such as **allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA)**, aspergilloma, and invasive aspergillosis. - Since Aspergillus has septate hyphae, **aseptate hyphae are NOT seen** in Aspergillus. *Incorrect: Rhizopus* - *Rhizopus* is a zygomycete with **broad, ribbon-like, aseptate hyphae** and **right-angle/irregular branching**. - Common cause of **mucormycosis (zygomycosis)**, especially in immunocompromised individuals. *Incorrect: Mucor* - *Mucor* is another zygomycete with **aseptate hyphae** and **wide-angle branching**. - Causes mucormycosis, leading to severe infections primarily in patients with **diabetic ketoacidosis** or **hematologic malignancies**. *Incorrect: Penicillium* - *Penicillium* species possess **septate hyphae** with characteristic **brush-like (penicillus-shaped)** fruiting bodies. - While some produce antibiotics, certain species like *Talaromyces marneffei* can cause systemic infections in immunocompromised patients.

Q: Which of the following viruses is classified as a poxvirus?

Variola. ***Variola virus*** - **Variola virus** is the causative agent of **smallpox**, a historically significant and highly contagious disease. - It belongs to the **Orthopoxvirus** genus within the **Poxviridae family**, characterized by its large, brick-shaped virion and dsDNA genome. *Coxsackie virus* - **Coxsackieviruses** are part of the **Picornaviridae family**, specifically the **Enterovirus** genus. - They are known to cause a range of diseases including **hand-foot-and-mouth disease**, myocarditis, and aseptic meningitis, and are much smaller than poxviruses. *ECHO virus* - **Echoviruses** (Enteric Cytopathic Human Orphan viruses) are also members of the **Picornaviridae family** and the **Enterovirus** genus. - They are associated with diseases such as **aseptic meningitis**, gastroenteritis, and respiratory infections, completely distinct from poxviruses. *HSV (Herpes Simplex Virus)* - **Herpes Simplex Viruses** belong to the **Herpesviridae family**, characterized by a **linear dsDNA genome** and an enveloped icosahedral capsid. - They cause diseases like **oral and genital herpes** and are structurally and genetically distinct from poxviruses.

Q: Which virus is known for its brick-shaped morphology?

Smallpox. ***Smallpox*** - The **variola virus**, responsible for smallpox, is a type of **poxvirus** which characteristically exhibits a **brick-shaped** or ovoid morphology. - This distinctive shape is due to its **large, complex virion structure** containing a dumbbell-shaped core. *Chickenpox* - Chickenpox is caused by the **varicella-zoster virus (VZV)**, which is a member of the **herpesviridae family**. - Herpesviruses are typically **spherical** with an icosahedral capsid. *CMV* - **Cytomegalovirus (CMV)** is another member of the **herpesviridae family**, sharing the characteristic **spherical shape** with an icosahedral capsid. - Its morphology is not brick-shaped. *EBV* - **Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)** is also a **herpesvirus** and thus possesses a **spherical, icosahedral capsid morphology**. - Its structure is distinct from the brick-shaped poxviruses.

Q: What is the primary function of the Nef gene in HIV?

Enhancing viral pathogenesis. ***Enhancing viral pathogenesis*** - The **Nef protein** is critical for efficient viral replication and disease progression in HIV-infected individuals, significantly increasing **viral load** and contributing to immune evasion. - It achieves this by downregulating **CD4** and **MHC class I** molecules on the surface of infected cells, thereby preventing immune recognition and increasing viral infectivity. *Enhancing the expression of host genes* - While Nef interacts with various host proteins, its primary function is not to globally enhance the expression of host genes but rather to modulate specific host pathways to favor viral replication. - Instead, Nef often leads to **downregulation** of specific host proteins important for immune response, such as CD4 and MHC class I. *Decreasing viral replication* - Nef's role is to **increase**, not decrease, viral replication and spread within the host. - Viruses lacking a functional Nef gene show **attenuated replication** in vivo and often reduced pathogenicity. *Promoting host cell apoptosis* - While Nef can influence cellular processes, its direct and primary function is not to promote host cell apoptosis. - In fact, Nef can sometimes prevent early apoptosis of infected cells, allowing more time for virus production and release, thereby contributing to viral persistence.

Q: What is the role of p24 in HIV?

Core antigen of HIV. ***Core antigen of HIV*** - **p24** is a **structural protein** that forms the viral capsid, which is the shell enclosing the genetic material of the virus. - Due to its abundance and immunogenicity, **p24** serves as a crucial **biomarker** for initial **HIV infection** and is targeted in diagnostic tests. *Envelop antigen in HIV* - The **envelope antigens** of HIV are typically **glycoproteins** like **gp120** and **gp41**, which are involved in viral attachment and entry into host cells. - These envelope proteins are distinct from **p24**, which is an internal core protein. *Genome of HIV* - The **genome of HIV** consists of **two copies of single-stranded RNA**, not a protein. - This **RNA genome** is contained within the viral capsid, which is primarily composed of **p24 protein**. *Shell antigen* - While **p24** does form a "shell" (the capsid) around the viral genome, the term **shell antigen** is not a standard specific classification in virology for p24. - The more precise term for its location and function is **core antigen**.

Q: Which cells are known to cause rosette formation with sheep red blood cells?

T cells. ***T cells*** - **T cells** are the classic cells known to form rosettes with sheep red blood cells, a phenomenon called **E-rosette formation** - This interaction is mediated by the **CD2 receptor** on human T cells binding to **CD58 (LFA-3)** on sheep red blood cells - E-rosette formation was historically used as a diagnostic test to identify and enumerate T cells before the advent of flow cytometry - This is a characteristic feature of **mature T cells** and was widely used in immunology laboratories *NK cells* - **NK cells** do NOT typically form rosettes with sheep red blood cells - NK cells lack the specific CD2-mediated interaction required for classical E-rosette formation - NK cells are identified by other markers such as CD16 and CD56, and by their ability to kill target cells without prior sensitization *Monocytes* - **Monocytes** do not form rosettes with sheep red blood cells - Their primary functions include phagocytosis, antigen presentation, and cytokine production - They are identified by surface markers like **CD14** and their characteristic morphology (large size, kidney-shaped nucleus) *All types of T cells* - While this option is technically correct since all mature T cells express CD2 and can form E-rosettes, the more conventional answer is simply **"T cells"** - Both CD4+ helper T cells and CD8+ cytotoxic T cells possess the CD2 receptor and can participate in rosette formation - The distinction between "T cells" and "All types of T cells" is subtle, but "T cells" is the standard textbook answer

Q: Which type of vaccine is used for chicken pox?

Live vaccine. ***Live vaccine*** - The chickenpox vaccine (Varicella vaccine) is a **live-attenuated vaccine**, meaning it contains a weakened form of the **Varicella-zoster virus** (Oka strain). - This weakened virus can still replicate in the body, stimulating a strong and long-lasting immune response similar to natural infection but without causing severe disease. *Killed vaccine* - **Killed (inactivated) vaccines** use viruses or bacteria that have been inactivated through heat or chemicals, making them unable to replicate. - While effective for some diseases (e.g., inactivated polio, influenza), they typically require **multiple doses** and might provide less durable immunity compared to live vaccines. *Conjugated vaccine* - **Conjugated vaccines** are designed to improve the immune response to polysaccharide antigens (e.g., bacterial capsules) by linking them to a carrier protein. - This technology is primarily used for **bacterial infections** like *Haemophilus influenzae* type b (Hib) or pneumococcal disease, not viral illnesses like chickenpox. *Toxoid vaccine* - **Toxoid vaccines** contain inactivated bacterial toxins (toxoids) rather than the whole organism. - Examples include **tetanus and diphtheria vaccines**, which protect against diseases caused by bacterial toxins, not viral infections like chickenpox.

Q: Who discovered the malarial parasite?

Charles Louis Alphonse Laveran. ***Charles Louis Alphonse Laveran*** - **Charles Louis Alphonse Laveran** was a French physician who, in **1880**, observed parasites in the blood of a malaria patient. - He was awarded the **Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1907** for his discovery of the role of protozoa in causing diseases, specifically recognizing the malarial parasite. *Ronald Ross* - **Ronald Ross** was a British physician who, in **1897**, demonstrated that **malaria is transmitted by mosquitoes**. - While he elucidated the **transmission cycle**, it was Laveran who first identified the parasite itself in human blood. - He received the **Nobel Prize in 1902** for this work. *Paul Muller* - **Paul Muller** was a Swiss chemist who was awarded the **Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1948** for his discovery of the insecticidal properties of **DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane)**. - His work was significant in combating insect-borne diseases like malaria, but he was not involved in the discovery of the malarial parasite. *Pampania* - This name does not correspond to any recognized figure in the discovery of the malarial parasite or its transmission. - This is a distractor option in the original examination question.

Q: How many flagella does Helicobacter pylori typically have?

4-6. ***4-6*** - *Helicobacter pylori* is characterized by having **multiple flagella** (typically 4-6) at one pole, which are crucial for its motility. - These flagella allow the bacterium to move through the viscous gastric mucus layer and colonize the gastric epithelium. *1* - While some bacteria, like *Vibrio cholerae*, may possess a single polar flagellum, this is not characteristic of *Helicobacter pylori*. - A single flagellum would provide less efficient motility in the challenging environment of the stomach. *2* - Having two flagella is not the typical configuration for *Helicobacter pylori*. - Many bacteria have varied flagellar arrangements, but two is not representative of this particular bacterium. *3* - Three flagella is an insufficient number for the characteristic motility and colonization strategy of *Helicobacter pylori*. - **Lophotrichous** flagella typically refers to a tuft of multiple flagella, consistent with 4-6.

Q: Largest intestinal protozoan is?

Balantidium coli. ***Balantidium coli*** - *Balantidium coli* is the **largest protozoan parasite** known to infect humans, specifically found in the intestines. - It causes **balantidiasis**, an intestinal infection, and is notable for its ciliated trophozoite stage. *E. coli* - *E. coli* is a **bacterium**, not a protozoan. - While it is a common inhabitant of the intestines, it is significantly smaller than parasitic protozoa. *Giardia* - *Giardia lamblia* (or *intestinalis*) is a **flagellate protozoan** that causes giardiasis. - Though an intestinal parasite, it is considerably smaller than *Balantidium coli*. *T. gondii* - *Toxoplasma gondii* is an **intracellular protozoan parasite** known for causing toxoplasmosis. - It is much smaller than *Balantidium coli* and primarily infects cells, not existing as a large free-living form in the intestine.

Question 1

Aseptate hyphae is not seen in which of the following fungi?

Accepted Answer

Aspergillus

Answer

Rhizopus

Answer

Mucor

Answer

Penicillium

Question 2

Which of the following viruses is classified as a poxvirus?

Accepted Answer

Variola

Answer

Coxsackie

Answer

ECHO

Answer

HSV

Question 3

Which virus is known for its brick-shaped morphology?

Accepted Answer

Smallpox

Answer

Chickenpox

Answer

CMV

Answer

EBV

Question 4

What is the primary function of the Nef gene in HIV?

Accepted Answer

Enhancing viral pathogenesis

Answer

Enhancing the expression of host genes

Answer

Decreasing viral replication

Answer

Promoting host cell apoptosis

Question 5

What is the role of p24 in HIV?

Accepted Answer

Core antigen of HIV

Answer

Envelope antigen in HIV

Answer

Genome of HIV

Answer

Shell antigen

Question 6

Which cells are known to cause rosette formation with sheep red blood cells?

Accepted Answer

T cells

Answer

Monocytes

Answer

NK cells

Answer

All types of T cells

Question 7

Which type of vaccine is used for chicken pox?

Accepted Answer

Live vaccine

Answer

Killed vaccine

Answer

Conjugated vaccine

Answer

Toxoid vaccine

Question 8

Who discovered the malarial parasite?

Accepted Answer

Charles Louis Alphonse Laveran

Answer

Ronald Ross

Answer

Paul Muller

Answer

Pampania

Question 9

How many flagella does Helicobacter pylori typically have?

Accepted Answer

4-6

Answer

3

Answer

2

Answer

1

Question 10

Largest intestinal protozoan is?

Accepted Answer

Balantidium coli

Answer

E. coli

Answer

Giardia

Answer

T. gondii

NEET-PG 2012 — Microbiology