BIOD 171: EXAMS QUESTIONS WITH
ANSWERS
I. A drug company is trying to develop a new drug that will inhibit the
release of newly produced viral particles. Would the drug company target
hemagglutinin proteins or neuraminidase proteins? Why?
Neuraminidase because it involves the budding & release of viral particles
from the host cell
II. Explain why the flu shot given each year may not be 100% effective at
preventing the flu?
Because you may be exposed to a viral strain that is not included in the
making of the vaccine of the flu shot that you took.
Answer Key
A drug company is trying to develop a new drug that will inhibit the release of newly
produced viral particles. Would the drug company target hemagglutinin proteins or
neuraminidase proteins? Why?
Neuraminidase (N) proteins are directly involved in the budding and release of new viral
particles and would thus be the correct target. Hemagglutinin (HA) proteins would not be
advisable targets as they are directly involved in viral attachment and entry into the host cell.
Explain why the flu shot given each year may not be 100% effective at preventing the
flu?
It is possible to receive a flu vaccine and yet (unfortunately) still get the flu in the same
season if you are exposed to a viral strain that was not included in the vaccine. There are a
large number of variants and the flu vaccine is unable to vaccinate against all subtypes.
Medical researchers predict and then distribute flu vaccines based current trends and the
Once HIV enters the cell, the capsid is degraded, & the HIV protein reverses
transcription & makes 2 RNA copies, generating DNA strand which is then
transported into the nucleus where it integrates the host genome. The virus is then
replicated & new viruses are formed. Anti-retroviral medication helps to fight the
ability of the virus to reproduce
,BIOD 171: EXAMS QUESTIONS WITH
ANSWERS
Answer Key
True or False. The viral capsid of HIV is dumbbell shaped and contains
~2,000 copies of the viral protein p24.
False. The HIV capsid is conical (cone) shaped.
The HIV surface glycoprotein gp120 binds what host cellular receptor?
A. CD3
B. CXCR4
C. CCR5
D. CD4
D. HIV gp120 binds to CD4.
An individual infected with HIV is placed on anti-retroviral
medication. Describe how the medication will affect the virus.
As the name suggests, anti-retrovirals are intended to inhibit (anti) the process
of reverse- transcription (retro). Once the virus enters the cell and uncoating is
complete, the viral enzyme reverse transcriptase (RT) acts on the two RNA
copies, creating a complementary DNA strand. Anti-retrovirals attempt to block
this step. In the absence of anti-retroviral medications, the now double-stranded
DNA is transported to the nucleus where it can integrate into the host genome
and begin replicating. By inhibiting the process of RT, anti- retroviral
medications effectively block the production of new viruses by preventing its
integration and replication.
Exam 1.
True or False: A virus is considered a microorganism.
,BIOD 171: EXAMS QUESTIONS WITH
ANSWERS
False. Viruses are not living and as such are not considered microorganisms.
Viruses can, however, be classified as microbes, a more general term that
includes microorganisms and viruses.
2. What is the smallest biological unit of life?
A cell.
3. At a generalized level, all cells are comprised of what?
Macromolecules*
*A student may also answer: Proteins, Lipids, Nucleic acids and
Polysaccharides but they must answer with all four to be fully correct.
How many different types of amino acids are available from which to make proteins?
20
2. Define an essential amino acid.
An essential amino acid cannot be produced by the human body and as such must be take
in from the environment through alternative sources (i.e) food.
Exam Page 3
1. What are the two major types of nucleic acids and their roles?
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid): Contains the genetic material as well as heredity characteristics
, BIOD 171: EXAMS QUESTIONS WITH
ANSWERS
found in living organisms. RNA (ribonucleic acid): its role is for decoding the sequence of
heredity information found in DNA
Answer Key
1. What are the two major types of nucleic acids and their roles?
There are two major types of nucleic acids: DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA
(ribonucleic acid). Nucleic acids are chemical molecules that carry genetic information
ANSWERS
I. A drug company is trying to develop a new drug that will inhibit the
release of newly produced viral particles. Would the drug company target
hemagglutinin proteins or neuraminidase proteins? Why?
Neuraminidase because it involves the budding & release of viral particles
from the host cell
II. Explain why the flu shot given each year may not be 100% effective at
preventing the flu?
Because you may be exposed to a viral strain that is not included in the
making of the vaccine of the flu shot that you took.
Answer Key
A drug company is trying to develop a new drug that will inhibit the release of newly
produced viral particles. Would the drug company target hemagglutinin proteins or
neuraminidase proteins? Why?
Neuraminidase (N) proteins are directly involved in the budding and release of new viral
particles and would thus be the correct target. Hemagglutinin (HA) proteins would not be
advisable targets as they are directly involved in viral attachment and entry into the host cell.
Explain why the flu shot given each year may not be 100% effective at preventing the
flu?
It is possible to receive a flu vaccine and yet (unfortunately) still get the flu in the same
season if you are exposed to a viral strain that was not included in the vaccine. There are a
large number of variants and the flu vaccine is unable to vaccinate against all subtypes.
Medical researchers predict and then distribute flu vaccines based current trends and the
Once HIV enters the cell, the capsid is degraded, & the HIV protein reverses
transcription & makes 2 RNA copies, generating DNA strand which is then
transported into the nucleus where it integrates the host genome. The virus is then
replicated & new viruses are formed. Anti-retroviral medication helps to fight the
ability of the virus to reproduce
,BIOD 171: EXAMS QUESTIONS WITH
ANSWERS
Answer Key
True or False. The viral capsid of HIV is dumbbell shaped and contains
~2,000 copies of the viral protein p24.
False. The HIV capsid is conical (cone) shaped.
The HIV surface glycoprotein gp120 binds what host cellular receptor?
A. CD3
B. CXCR4
C. CCR5
D. CD4
D. HIV gp120 binds to CD4.
An individual infected with HIV is placed on anti-retroviral
medication. Describe how the medication will affect the virus.
As the name suggests, anti-retrovirals are intended to inhibit (anti) the process
of reverse- transcription (retro). Once the virus enters the cell and uncoating is
complete, the viral enzyme reverse transcriptase (RT) acts on the two RNA
copies, creating a complementary DNA strand. Anti-retrovirals attempt to block
this step. In the absence of anti-retroviral medications, the now double-stranded
DNA is transported to the nucleus where it can integrate into the host genome
and begin replicating. By inhibiting the process of RT, anti- retroviral
medications effectively block the production of new viruses by preventing its
integration and replication.
Exam 1.
True or False: A virus is considered a microorganism.
,BIOD 171: EXAMS QUESTIONS WITH
ANSWERS
False. Viruses are not living and as such are not considered microorganisms.
Viruses can, however, be classified as microbes, a more general term that
includes microorganisms and viruses.
2. What is the smallest biological unit of life?
A cell.
3. At a generalized level, all cells are comprised of what?
Macromolecules*
*A student may also answer: Proteins, Lipids, Nucleic acids and
Polysaccharides but they must answer with all four to be fully correct.
How many different types of amino acids are available from which to make proteins?
20
2. Define an essential amino acid.
An essential amino acid cannot be produced by the human body and as such must be take
in from the environment through alternative sources (i.e) food.
Exam Page 3
1. What are the two major types of nucleic acids and their roles?
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid): Contains the genetic material as well as heredity characteristics
, BIOD 171: EXAMS QUESTIONS WITH
ANSWERS
found in living organisms. RNA (ribonucleic acid): its role is for decoding the sequence of
heredity information found in DNA
Answer Key
1. What are the two major types of nucleic acids and their roles?
There are two major types of nucleic acids: DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA
(ribonucleic acid). Nucleic acids are chemical molecules that carry genetic information
