AP-Micro Microbiology: Mycology and Parasitology 2

Question 1

Which fungal structure is responsible for asexual reproduction by producing chains of spores through budding at the tip?

Accepted Answer

Conidiophore

Answer

Ascospore

Answer

Zygospore

Answer

Basidiospore

Question 2

Plasmodium falciparum causes the most severe form of malaria primarily because it:

Accepted Answer

Infects red blood cells of all ages and causes cytoadherence

Answer

Infects only reticulocytes

Answer

Produces a dormant liver stage called hypnozoites

Answer

Is transmitted by Culex mosquitoes

Question 3

The term 'dimorphic fungus' refers to an organism that:

Accepted Answer

Exists as a mold at 25°C and a yeast at 37°C

Answer

Reproduces both sexually and asexually

Answer

Has two distinct nuclear types in one cell

Answer

Forms both hyphae and rhizoids simultaneously

Question 4

Entamoeba histolytica causes disease primarily by:

Accepted Answer

Secreting proteases that lyse intestinal epithelial cells

Answer

Producing neurotoxins that paralyze the intestinal wall

Answer

Blocking bile ducts with cysts

Answer

Stimulating excess mucus production in the colon

Question 5

Which laboratory test is most useful for diagnosing invasive aspergillosis in an immunocompromised patient?

Accepted Answer

Galactomannan antigen detection in serum

Answer

India ink preparation of CSF

Answer

KOH preparation of skin scraping

Answer

Germ tube test on blood culture

Question 6

Toxoplasma gondii can cause severe congenital disease because:

Accepted Answer

Tachyzoites cross the placenta and infect fetal tissues during primary maternal infection

Answer

It is transmitted via the fecal-oral route between neonates

Answer

Bradyzoites are uniquely heat-stable and survive pasteurization

Answer

It invades the placenta only in immunocompetent mothers

Question 7

The cell wall component unique to fungi that is absent in humans, making it a key antifungal drug target, is:

Accepted Answer

Glucan (β-1,3-glucan)

Answer

Peptidoglycan

Answer

Ergosterol

Answer

Chitin