D311: WGU Microbiology with Lab: PA questions and
answers 2026 updated
Which class of cells most often contain extrachromosomal DNA found in plasmids? - Correct
Answer Prokaryotic
What is the significance of the molecule that makes up the bilayer formed in the plasma
membrane of most bacterial and eukaryotic cells? - Correct Answer Phospholipids help
maintain hydrophobic and hydrophilic environments.
Which microorganisms produce dermatophytes that can cause skin infections, such as athlete's
foot and ringworm? - Correct Answer Fungi
Which microorganisms can produce human pathogens that spread via microsporidia? - Correct
Answer Fungi
Why are archaea considered prokaryotic organisms? - Correct Answer Their cells do not contain
a nucleus.
Why is MRSA more pathogenic than other strains of Staphylococcus aureus? - Correct Answer
MRSA has increased antibiotic resistance.
A patient recently had an outpatient surgical procedure. After a few days at home, they noticed
swelling and redness at their incision site. How would this infection be classified? - Correct
Answer Iatrogenic
, Which viral virulence factor requires adjustments to the influenza vaccine annually? - Correct
Answer Antigenic variation
Which pair of enzymes are produced by some bacteria that causes the clotting of blood to
protect the bacteria in the bloodstream, then a digestion of the clots to allow the bacteria to
spread? - Correct Answer Coagulase and kinase
How does coinfection of a single cell by multiple strains of a virus increase it's pathogenicity? -
Correct Answer Coinfection provides the opportunity for an antigenic shift.
Canned food is heated and sealed in sterile containers to provide a longer shelf life and prevent
spoilage. Improper canning results in the growth of microorganisms, which may result in food
containers that swell and explode.
Which staining technique can be used to identify these microorganisms? - Correct Answer
Endospore staining
A student in a lab has just completed an endospore stain of Bacillus anthracis and realized that
heat was not applied during the staining technique.
What will the student see upon microscopic examination of the slide? - Correct Answer Pink
vegetative cells with clear round areas.
A physician is given a vaginal swab in order to test for post-antibiotic vaginal infection.
Which microscopic technique would identify opportunistic fungal pathogen? - Correct Answer
Wet mount stain
A technician has just performed a Gram stain but forgot to add the safranin.
answers 2026 updated
Which class of cells most often contain extrachromosomal DNA found in plasmids? - Correct
Answer Prokaryotic
What is the significance of the molecule that makes up the bilayer formed in the plasma
membrane of most bacterial and eukaryotic cells? - Correct Answer Phospholipids help
maintain hydrophobic and hydrophilic environments.
Which microorganisms produce dermatophytes that can cause skin infections, such as athlete's
foot and ringworm? - Correct Answer Fungi
Which microorganisms can produce human pathogens that spread via microsporidia? - Correct
Answer Fungi
Why are archaea considered prokaryotic organisms? - Correct Answer Their cells do not contain
a nucleus.
Why is MRSA more pathogenic than other strains of Staphylococcus aureus? - Correct Answer
MRSA has increased antibiotic resistance.
A patient recently had an outpatient surgical procedure. After a few days at home, they noticed
swelling and redness at their incision site. How would this infection be classified? - Correct
Answer Iatrogenic
, Which viral virulence factor requires adjustments to the influenza vaccine annually? - Correct
Answer Antigenic variation
Which pair of enzymes are produced by some bacteria that causes the clotting of blood to
protect the bacteria in the bloodstream, then a digestion of the clots to allow the bacteria to
spread? - Correct Answer Coagulase and kinase
How does coinfection of a single cell by multiple strains of a virus increase it's pathogenicity? -
Correct Answer Coinfection provides the opportunity for an antigenic shift.
Canned food is heated and sealed in sterile containers to provide a longer shelf life and prevent
spoilage. Improper canning results in the growth of microorganisms, which may result in food
containers that swell and explode.
Which staining technique can be used to identify these microorganisms? - Correct Answer
Endospore staining
A student in a lab has just completed an endospore stain of Bacillus anthracis and realized that
heat was not applied during the staining technique.
What will the student see upon microscopic examination of the slide? - Correct Answer Pink
vegetative cells with clear round areas.
A physician is given a vaginal swab in order to test for post-antibiotic vaginal infection.
Which microscopic technique would identify opportunistic fungal pathogen? - Correct Answer
Wet mount stain
A technician has just performed a Gram stain but forgot to add the safranin.
