Bacteria And Viruses

Reviewed by Editorial Team
The ProProfs editorial team is comprised of experienced subject matter experts. They've collectively created over 10,000 quizzes and lessons, serving over 100 million users. Our team includes in-house content moderators and subject matter experts, as well as a global network of rigorously trained contributors. All adhere to our comprehensive editorial guidelines, ensuring the delivery of high-quality content.
Learn about Our Editorial Process
| By Thames
T
Thames
Community Contributor
Quizzes Created: 6820 | Total Attempts: 9,511,256
| Questions: 21
Please wait...
Question 1 / 21
0 %
0/100
Score 0/100
1. What is a preparation of the pathogen that stimulates the immune system to provide protection against that pathogen?

Explanation

A vaccine is a substance that helps the body's immune system recognize and fight a specific pathogen. Antibiotics, antiseptics, and antihistamines are not vaccines as they work differently in the body.

Submit
Please wait...
About This Quiz
Bacteria And Viruses - Quiz

Explore the fascinating world of microorganisms in our Bacteria and Viruses review. This quiz enhances understanding of bacterial and viral structures, functions, and impacts on health. Ideal for... see morestudents or professionals seeking to deepen their microbiological knowledge. see less

2. What are examples of diseases you would typically get a vaccine for?

Explanation

Vaccines are typically administered to prevent infectious diseases caused by viruses or bacteria. Common cold, broken bones, and dandruff are not diseases that vaccines are designed to prevent.

Submit
3. What is the name of a spiral-shaped bacterium?

Explanation

Spirillum is a specific type of bacteria that has a spiral shape. Coccus is a spherical bacterium, Bacillus is rod-shaped, and Streptococcus is chain-forming.

Submit
4. What bacterial structures can survive environmental stress?

Explanation

Endospores are a unique feature of certain bacterial species that allow them to survive harsh environmental conditions by remaining dormant until conditions improve. Cell walls, pili, and flagella, while important for various bacterial functions, do not have the same survival capabilities as endospores.

Submit
5. What is an outgrowth on bacteria that attaches to surfaces or other cells?

Explanation

A pilus is a hair-like appendage on the surface of bacteria that is used for attachment to surfaces or other cells. Flagella are whip-like structures used for movement, capsules are outer layers that protect bacteria from environmental threats, and plasmids are small DNA molecules that can be found in bacteria.

Submit
6. What is the term used to describe a round-shaped bacterium?

Explanation

Coccus is a term used to describe round-shaped bacteria, while Bacillus is rod-shaped, Spirillum is spiral-shaped, and Spirochete is a type of spiral-shaped bacterium.

Submit
7. What is the term for a process in which two organisms exchange genetic material?

Explanation

Conjugation is a process of genetic exchange between two organisms, often bacteria, through direct contact. Translation, transcription, and replication are involved in protein synthesis and DNA replication, but they do not involve the exchange of genetic material between organisms.

Submit
8. Environment with oxygen.

Explanation

In an aerobic environment, oxygen is present, allowing organisms to perform aerobic respiration. Anaerobic environments lack oxygen, hypoxic environments have low oxygen levels, and anoxic environments completely lack oxygen.

Submit
9. What is the term for a rod-shaped bacterium?

Explanation

Bacillus is the correct term for a rod-shaped bacterium, while Coccus is a spherical bacterium, Spirillum is a spiral-shaped bacterium, and Streptococcus is a chain-forming spherical bacterium.

Submit
10. What type of microorganism is responsible for causing infections in humans?

Explanation

Bacteria are single-celled microorganisms that can cause infections in humans. Unlike viruses, fungi, and protozoa, bacteria have a more complex cell structure and can reproduce on their own.

Submit
11. What is the term for viruses that infect bacteria?

Explanation

Bacteriophage specifically refers to viruses that infect bacteria, while fungi, protozoa, and archaea are not viruses that infect bacteria.

Submit
12. What is the term for any agent that causes disease?

Explanation

A pathogen is a biological agent that causes disease. Toxins, antibiotics, and vaccines are not agents that cause disease but rather can be used to combat or prevent diseases.

Submit
13. During which type of replication cycle does the provirus divide along with the host cell resulting in two infected host cells?

Explanation

The correct answer is 'Lysogenic cycle' because during this type of replication cycle, the provirus remains dormant within the host cell and divides along with the host during cell division.

Submit
14. What are the two methods of replication in viruses?

Explanation

Viruses can replicate using either the Lytic or Lysogenic cycles, which are distinct processes involving the host cell. The incorrect answers provided are methods of replication that are not specific to viruses.

Submit
15. What is the gel-like layer outside the cell wall and membrane known as?

Explanation

The correct term for the gel-like layer outside the cell wall and membrane is Capsule. It serves as a protective layer for some bacterial and fungal cells.

Submit
16. What is the term for an oxygen-free environment?

Explanation

An oxygen-free environment is referred to as anaerobic, where aerobic environments require oxygen, hypoxic environments have low oxygen levels, and anaerobes are organisms that thrive in the absence of oxygen.

Submit
17. What are chemicals poisonous to eukaryotic cells known as?

Explanation

Toxins are substances that are capable of causing harm to living organisms, particularly eukaryotic cells. Antioxidants, vitamins, and enzymes are not inherently harmful chemicals but can have various beneficial effects on cells.

Submit
18. What are chemicals that interfere with life processes in bacteria?

Explanation

Antibiotics are specifically designed to target and kill bacteria, making them the correct answer. Vitamins, pesticides, and antioxidants do not interfere with life processes in bacteria in the same way antibiotics do.

Submit
19. What surrounds the capsid and helps the virus enter cells?

Explanation

The envelope of a virus is a lipid bilayer that surrounds the protein capsid and aids in the virus's ability to enter host cells.

Submit
20. What is the term for the cycle of infection, replication, and cell destruction?

Explanation

The lytic cycle is characterized by the immediate replication of the virus and destruction of the host cell. The lysogenic cycle involves the virus integrating its genome into the host cell's DNA without immediate replication. The bacteriophage cycle specifically refers to viruses that infect bacteria. The replicative cycle is a more general term and does not specifically focus on cell destruction.

Submit
21. During an infection, some viruses stay inside the cells but do not make viruses. Instead, the viral gene is inserted into the host chromosome, and is called a(n)

Explanation

Provirus is the correct term used to describe a virus that inserts its genetic material into the DNA of a host cell. Transposon refers to a DNA sequence that can change its position within a genome. Retrovirus is a type of virus that uses RNA as its genetic material and replicates by converting its RNA into DNA. Prion is an infectious agent composed of misfolded proteins with the ability to induce abnormal folding of specific normal cellular proteins.

Submit
View My Results

Quiz Review Timeline (Updated): Aug 4, 2025 +

Our quizzes are rigorously reviewed, monitored and continuously updated by our expert board to maintain accuracy, relevance, and timeliness.

  • Current Version
  • Aug 04, 2025
    Quiz Edited by
    ProProfs Editorial Team
  • Aug 04, 2025
    Quiz Created by
    Thames
Cancel
  • All
    All (21)
  • Unanswered
    Unanswered ()
  • Answered
    Answered ()
What is a preparation of the pathogen that stimulates the immune...
What are examples of diseases you would typically get a vaccine for?
What is the name of a spiral-shaped bacterium?
What bacterial structures can survive environmental stress?
What is an outgrowth on bacteria that attaches to surfaces or other...
What is the term used to describe a round-shaped bacterium?
What is the term for a process in which two organisms exchange genetic...
Environment with oxygen.
What is the term for a rod-shaped bacterium?
What type of microorganism is responsible for causing infections in...
What is the term for viruses that infect bacteria?
What is the term for any agent that causes disease?
During which type of replication cycle does the provirus divide along...
What are the two methods of replication in viruses?
What is the gel-like layer outside the cell wall and membrane known...
What is the term for an oxygen-free environment?
What are chemicals poisonous to eukaryotic cells known as?
What are chemicals that interfere with life processes in bacteria?
What surrounds the capsid and helps the virus enter cells?
What is the term for the cycle of infection, replication, and cell...
During an infection, some viruses stay inside the cells but do not...
Alert!

Advertisement