BIOD 171 Module 6 Exam: Virology and Viral Diseases 2026/2027
UPDATE
1. Which of the following describes the protein shell that surrounds the nucleic
acid of a virus?
A. Capsid
B. Envelope
C. Spike
D. Capsomere
Answer: A
Rationale: The capsid is the protective protein coat surrounding the viral genome.
2. A viral envelope is typically derived from which part of the host cell?
A. Cytoplasm
B. Ribosomes
C. Cell wall
D. Cell membrane
Answer: D
Rationale: Enveloped viruses acquire their outer lipid layer from the host cell’s membrane
during budding.
,3. In the lytic cycle of a bacteriophage, what is the immediate result of the
‘Release’ phase?
A. The host cell survives
B. Lysis and death of the host cell
C. Integration into the host genome
D. Formation of a prophage
Answer: B
Rationale: The lytic cycle culminates in the rupture (lysis) of the bacterial cell, releasing
new virions.
4. Which term describes a bacteriophage that has integrated its DNA into the
bacterial chromosome?
A. Virulent phage
B. Viroid
C. Provirus
D. Prophage
Answer: D
Rationale: A prophage is the latent form of a bacteriophage within the host’s genome
during the lysogenic cycle.
5. Which enzyme is essential for Retroviruses to convert RNA into DNA?
A. RNA Polymerase
B. DNA Ligase
C. Reverse Transcriptase
D. Protease
Answer: C
Rationale: Retroviruses use reverse transcriptase to synthesize DNA from their RNA
genome.
, 6. The process by which a lysogenic phage switches to the lytic cycle is known
as:
A. Transformation
B. Conjugation
C. Induction
D. Adsorption
Answer: C
Rationale: Induction is the process where environmental stress triggers the prophage to
excise and enter the lytic cycle.
7. Which virus is responsible for causing Smallpox?
A. Varicella-zoster virus
B. Vaccinia virus
C. Variola virus
D. Herpes simplex virus
Answer: C
Rationale: The Variola virus causes smallpox; Vaccinia was used for the vaccine.
8. Koplik spots are a diagnostic sign for which viral disease?
A. Measles
B. Mumps
C. Rubella
D. Chickenpox
Answer: A
Rationale: Koplik spots are white spots on the inner lining of the mouth, characteristic of
early measles infection.
UPDATE
1. Which of the following describes the protein shell that surrounds the nucleic
acid of a virus?
A. Capsid
B. Envelope
C. Spike
D. Capsomere
Answer: A
Rationale: The capsid is the protective protein coat surrounding the viral genome.
2. A viral envelope is typically derived from which part of the host cell?
A. Cytoplasm
B. Ribosomes
C. Cell wall
D. Cell membrane
Answer: D
Rationale: Enveloped viruses acquire their outer lipid layer from the host cell’s membrane
during budding.
,3. In the lytic cycle of a bacteriophage, what is the immediate result of the
‘Release’ phase?
A. The host cell survives
B. Lysis and death of the host cell
C. Integration into the host genome
D. Formation of a prophage
Answer: B
Rationale: The lytic cycle culminates in the rupture (lysis) of the bacterial cell, releasing
new virions.
4. Which term describes a bacteriophage that has integrated its DNA into the
bacterial chromosome?
A. Virulent phage
B. Viroid
C. Provirus
D. Prophage
Answer: D
Rationale: A prophage is the latent form of a bacteriophage within the host’s genome
during the lysogenic cycle.
5. Which enzyme is essential for Retroviruses to convert RNA into DNA?
A. RNA Polymerase
B. DNA Ligase
C. Reverse Transcriptase
D. Protease
Answer: C
Rationale: Retroviruses use reverse transcriptase to synthesize DNA from their RNA
genome.
, 6. The process by which a lysogenic phage switches to the lytic cycle is known
as:
A. Transformation
B. Conjugation
C. Induction
D. Adsorption
Answer: C
Rationale: Induction is the process where environmental stress triggers the prophage to
excise and enter the lytic cycle.
7. Which virus is responsible for causing Smallpox?
A. Varicella-zoster virus
B. Vaccinia virus
C. Variola virus
D. Herpes simplex virus
Answer: C
Rationale: The Variola virus causes smallpox; Vaccinia was used for the vaccine.
8. Koplik spots are a diagnostic sign for which viral disease?
A. Measles
B. Mumps
C. Rubella
D. Chickenpox
Answer: A
Rationale: Koplik spots are white spots on the inner lining of the mouth, characteristic of
early measles infection.
