BIOL 1011 Top of the Chart Microbes Quiz

According to CDC data, what is the leading overall cause of foodborne illness in the U.S.?

Norovirus

Adenovirus can cause which of the following conditions?

Liver cirrhosis

Severe paralysis

Cold sores and shingles

Conjunctivitis and respiratory infections

Conjunctivitis and respiratory infections

Anaplasma phagocytophilum causes anaplasmosis and is transmitted by which vector?

Ticks

Aspergillus and Fusarium species in water systems are primarily a concern for which group of people?

Immunocompromised individuals

Healthy children

Elderly people with arthritis

Pregnant women

Immunocompromised individuals

Aspergillus terreus is utilized for the industrial production of which medication?

Lovastatin

Bacillus subtilis, found in Natto, is known to produce which heart-supporting enzyme?

Nattokinase

Beauveria bassiana kills which of the following?

Mosquito larvae exclusively

Grasshoppers and ticks

Insect pests like whiteflies and aphids

Rodents and mice

Insect pests like whiteflies and aphids

Chlorella vulgaris is an algae used to remove nitrogen and phosphorus from what source?

wastewater

Cyclospora cayetanensis is notable for seasonal outbreaks primarily linked to what source?

imported fresh produce

Demodex mites are microscopic parasites typically found where on the human body?

hair follicles and eyelids

Dengue fever is spread by which mosquitoes?

Aedes mosquitoes

Francisella tularensis, which causes Tularemia, can be spread by which of the following?

Human-to-human contact only

Triatomine bugs

Ticks and biting flies

Fleas only

Ticks and biting flies

Hepatitis A virus causes large foodborne outbreaks that primarily impact which human organ?

liver

Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) primarily targets which cells?

Hepatocytes

Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) often causes latent infections that reside where in the human body?

nerve ganglia

HIV converts its RNA genome into DNA using which specific enzyme?

reverse transcriptase

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) integration into the host genome can lead to what serious consequence?

cancerous cell formation

Lactococcus lactis improves mineral bioavailability by breaking down which component?

Milk proteins

Legionnaires' disease is typically acquired by which method?

Person-to-person contact

Swimming in the ocean

Inhaling contaminated aerosols from water systems

Ingesting contaminated food

Inhaling contaminated aerosols from water systems

Lyme disease is caused by which bacterium?

Borrelia burgdorferi

Malaria is caused by Plasmodium spp. and is transmitted by which specific vector?

Anopheles mosquitoes

Metarhizium anisopliae is effective in controlling which agricultural pests?

ticks and grasshoppers

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) typically reside in which environment?

Biofilm in water systems

Norovirus is typically transmitted via which route, causing viral gastroenteritis?

fecal-oral route

Phanerochaete chrysosporium produces enzymes that can degrade which synthetic material?

Polyethylene

Poliovirus can cause paralysis by destroying which specific cells?

Motor neurons

Pseudomonas putida is widely used in bioremediation for which type of pollution?

Oil and hazardous chemical spills

Ralstonia eutropha is utilized industrially for the production of what material?

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (bioplastics)

Rhizobium sp. performs what function in symbiotic association with legumes?

Fix atmospheric nitrogen

Rhizopus oligosporus is primarily used to ferment soybeans into which firm, protein-rich food?

Tempeh

Rhodococcus sp. is capable of degrading which specific pharmaceutical compounds?

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

Ringworm (Tinea corporis) and Athlete's foot (Tinea pedis) are caused by which type of fungi?

Trichophyton spp

Saccharomyces cerevisiae is used in the fermentation of waste to produce what?

bioethanol

Salmonella typhi is the causative agent of which serious disease?

typhoid fever

Shewanella oneidensis is used in which environmental bioenergy application?

Microbial fuel cells

Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) is notably associated with outbreaks from which food sources?

ground beef and leafy greens

Streptococcus pyogenes is primarily known to cause which of the following conditions?

Endocarditis

Dental caries

Strep throat

Dandruff

Strep throat

The Influenza virus attaches to respiratory cells via which specific surface structures?

Hemagglutinin spikes

The Measles virus replicates in which specific cells, causing systemic immunosuppression?

Lymphocytes and macrophages

The plague, caused by Yersinia pestis, is transmitted via which vector?

Fleas

The presence of Escherichia coli (E. coli) in a water system primarily indicates what?

Fecal contamination

Tinea versicolor and seborrheic dermatitis are associated with an overgrowth of which fungus?

Malassezia spp

To obtain optimal probiotic benefits, product labels should explicitly state the presence of what?

Live and active cultures

Trypanosoma cruzi causes Chagas disease. What is its primary vector?

Triatomine bugs (kissing bugs)

West Nile virus is transmitted to humans primarily by which mosquito?

Culex mosquitoes

What is the leading cause of drinking water-associated outbreaks and deaths in complex water systems?

Legionella

What is the most common bacterial cause of diarrheal illness in the U.S., frequently linked to waterborne outbreaks?

Campylobacter spp

Which bacterial species is known to cause diphtheria?

Corynebacterium spp

Which bacterium found in yogurt aids in digestion and improves lactose breakdown?

Lactobacillus acidophilus

Which bacterium has a high hospitalization rate and is linked to deli meats and soft cheeses?

Listeria monocytogenes

Which bacterium has a specific ability to degrade alkanes and oil-based hydrocarbons?

Alcanivorax spp

Which bacterium initiates fermentation in vegetables and produces organic acids that inhibit pathogens?

Leuconostoc mesenteroides

Which bacterium is a primary reservoir in the human nose and causes MRSA, pneumonia, and sepsis?

Staphylococcus aureus

Which bacterium is the leading cause of foodborne hospitalizations and deaths in the U.S.?

Salmonella

Which bacterium is used as a biological pesticide to control caterpillar pests?

Bacillus thuringiensis

Which bacterium works alongside Lactobacillus delbrueckii to make yogurt?

Streptococcus thermophilus

Which beneficial yeast is crucial for nutrient enhancement and produces CO2 and ethanol in bread and beer?

Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Which common worldwide parasite is known for causing persistent diarrhea and "Beaver fever"?

Giardia lamblia

Which fungus is responsible for the production of cholesterol-lowering statins and penicillin?

Penicillium rubens

Which fungus is used as a biofungicide against soil-borne diseases like root rot?

Trichoderma harzianum

Which highly contagious bacterium causes shigellosis via contaminated water or food?

Shigella

Which invasive parasite causes amoebic dysentery and liver abscesses, leading to significant global mortality?

Entamoeba histolytica

Which microbe found in kimchi and sauerkraut produces antioxidants and modulates gut microbiota?

Lactobacillus plantarum

Which microbe is found in sebum-rich areas of the skin and is highly associated with acne vulgaris and dandruff?

Cutibacterium acnes

Which microbe is found in the skin, mouth, and nose and is known to cause opportunistic catheter infections, but not infectious MRSA?

Staphylococcus epidermidis

Which microbe produces natural antimicrobials called bacteriocins to prevent spoilage?

Pediococcus acidilactici

Which oral bacterium is strongly linked to periodontal (gum) disease and systemic health issues?

Porphyromonas gingivalis

Which outbreak-associated bacterium is most often linked to improperly stored meat dishes?

Clostridium perfringens

Which parasite infects red blood cells and is a concern for blood transfusions?

Babesia microti

Which primary vector transmits the bacterium responsible for Rocky Mountain spotted fever?

American dog tick

Which rare but nearly always fatal amoeba enters the brain via the nasal passages while swimming in warm freshwater?

Naegleria fowleri

Which receptor is heavily targeted by SARS-CoV-2 to facilitate entry?

ACE2

Which waterborne bacterium causes severe, life-threatening dehydrating diarrhea, especially in areas with untreated water?

Vibrio cholerae

Which yeast is commonly responsible for oral thrush and vaginal yeast infections?

Candida albicans

Why is Cryptosporidium highly resistant to chlorine disinfection in recreational waters?

It has a protective outer shell known as an oocyst