TEAS Science Practice Test: Microorganisms & Disease

Test-Taking Reminder

Think: "Pathogen → Transmission → Prevention" When you see disease questions on the TEAS exam, ask:

1. What is causing the disease?

2. How does it spread?

3. How can it be prevented?

Which of the following best describes a virus?

A. A single-celled organism that reproduces independently

B. A protein coat surrounding genetic material

C. A multicellular organism that produces spores

D. A cell with a nucleus and organelles

B. A protein coat surrounding genetic material

TEAS Tip:

Remember: Virus = Genetic Material + Protein Coat

Virus are not cells and cannot reproduce on their own

Why must viruses infect living cells?

A. To obtain oxygen

B. To digest food

C. To reproduce

D. To move

C. To reproduce

TEAS Tip: Viruses are parasites. They must use a host cell's machinery to make more viruses.

Memory Trick: "No host = No virus reproduction."

A virus attaches to a host cell and injects its genetic material. What happens next?

A. The host cell immediately dies

B. The virus uses the host cell to make viral components

C. The virus leaves the cell

D. The host cell becomes a bacterium

B. The virus uses the host cell to make viral components

TEAS Tip:

Virus Life Cycle:

Attach

Inject DNA/RNA

Make virus parts

Cell bursts (lysis)

Memory Trick: "A-I-M-B" (Attach → Inject → Make → Burst)

A particular virus usually infects:

A. Every type of cell

B. Only plant cells

C. Specific cells

D. Only blood cells

C. Specific cells

TEAS Tip: Viruses are selective.

Example:

HIV attacks immune cells.

Hepatitis attacks liver cells.

Food poisoning is most commonly caused by:

A. Viruses

B. Fungi

C. Bacteria contaminating food

D. Protozoa

C. Bacteria contaminating food

TEAS Tip:

Food + bacteria = food poisoning

Always think:

Poor food handling

Undercooked food

Contaminated food

Which action helps prevent food poisoning?

A. Drinking untreated water

B. Properly cooking food

C. Walking barefoot

D. Sharing utensils

B. Properly cooking food

TEAS Tip: Heat kills many harmful bacteria.

Remember: "Cook it thoroughly."

Cholera is most commonly spread through:

A. Airborne droplets

B. Animal bites

C. Drinking contaminated water

D. Touching skin

C. Drinking contaminated water

TEAS Tip: Cholera = Waterborne Disease

Memory Trick: Cholera = Contaminated water

What contamination source is often associated with cholera outbreaks?

A. Clean water supplies

B. Sewage contamination

C. Sunlight exposure

D. Dry climates

B. Sewage contamination

TEAS Tip: Poor sanitation allows sewage to contaminate drinking water.

Influenza (flu) is most commonly spread by:

A. Contaminated food

B. Bare feet

C. Airborne droplets

D. Mosquitoes

C. Airborne droplets

TEAS Tip: When someone coughs or sneezes, tiny droplets carry viruses through the air.

Think: Flu → Air

Which behavior helps reduce the spread of influenza?

A. Avoid handwashing

B. Sharing tissues

C. Washing hands regularly

D. Drinking untreated water

C. Washing hands regularly

TEAS Tip: TEAS loves prevention questions.

Flu prevention:

Wash hands

Cover coughs

Disinfect surfaces

Athlete's foot is caused by:

A. A virus

B. A bacterium

C. A fungus

D. A protozoan

C. A fungus

TEAS Tip: Remember: Ringworm, athlete's foot, and yeast infections = fungal infections

Athlete's foot often spreads through:

A. Clean swimming pools

B. Bare feet on damp floors

C. Airborne droplets

D. Eating contaminated food

B. Bare feet on damp floors

TEAS Tip:

Fungi love:

Warm places

Moist places

Dark places

The incidence of a disease refers to:

A. Total deaths from disease

B. Total people alive

C. Number of new cases in a population over time

D. Number of hospitals

C. Number of new cases in a population over time

TEAS Tip: Incidence = New Cases

Memory Trick: "Incident = New Event"

Which situation would most likely decrease disease incidence?

A. Poor sewage systems

B. Lack of education

C. Good sanitation

D. Contaminated water

C. Good sanitation

TEAS Tip:

Good sanitation reduces disease spread by:

Clean water

Sewage treatment

Public health education

Poor sanitation is associated with:

A. Low disease incidence

B. Increased disease incidence

C. Strong immune systems

D. Fewer infections

B. Increased disease incidence

TEAS Tip:

TEAS Shortcut:

Good Sanitation

Low disease rates

Clean water

Proper sewage

Poor Sanitation

High disease rates

Contaminated water

Poor sewage

Virus Facts

✅ Not a cell

✅ Protein coat + genetic material

✅ Reproduce only inside living cells

✅ Infect specific cells

Disease Transmission

🍔 Food → Food poisoning

💧 Water → Cholera

😷 Airborne droplets → Flu

🦶 Damp floors → Athlete's foot

Prevention

✔ Cook food properly

✔ Wash hands

✔ Use clean water

✔ Improve sanitation

✔ Disinfect surfaces

Must-Know TEAS Vocabulary

Virus = Nonliving infectious particle

Host Cell = Cell infected by a virus

Pathogen = Disease-causing organism

Incidence = Number of new cases

Sanitation = Practices that keep environments clean and healthy

TEAS Exam Memory Rule:

"Food, Water, Air, Contact" → Most disease-transmission questions can be solved by identifying one of these four routes.