D311: MICROBIOLOGY WGU OA
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH
VERIFIED SOLUTIONS 100% CORRECT RATED A+
NEWLY UPDATED 2025
, What is the significance of microorganisms with a thick peptidoglycan layer in their cell
walls?
✔✔ These organisms are typically gram-positive bacteria, which retain the crystal violet
stain during Gram staining.
Why are viruses considered acellular?
✔✔ Because they cannot carry out life processes or reproduce without a host cell.
What is a defining trait of eukaryotic cells?
✔✔ The presence of a nucleus enclosed by a membrane.
Which type of microorganism can cause vaginal yeast infections and oral thrush?
✔✔ Fungi, specifically Candida species.
Why can identifying the specific cause (etiologic agent) of a disease be challenging?
✔✔ Because many pathogens can produce similar signs and symptoms, making diagnosis
less straightforward.
What type of staining technique is the acid-fast stain?
✔✔ It is a differential stain used to identify bacteria with waxy, lipid-rich cell walls, such
as Mycobacterium species.
A doctor prescribes antibiotics for a patient with a runny nose, fever, and body aches.
What type of infection might the doctor suspect?
✔✔ Likely a bacterial infection; however, the symptoms described are typically viral, and
antibiotics would not be effective.
A patient develops a yeast infection after taking antibiotics. What kind of medication is
needed?
✔✔ An antifungal medication, since the infection is fungal in nature.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH
VERIFIED SOLUTIONS 100% CORRECT RATED A+
NEWLY UPDATED 2025
, What is the significance of microorganisms with a thick peptidoglycan layer in their cell
walls?
✔✔ These organisms are typically gram-positive bacteria, which retain the crystal violet
stain during Gram staining.
Why are viruses considered acellular?
✔✔ Because they cannot carry out life processes or reproduce without a host cell.
What is a defining trait of eukaryotic cells?
✔✔ The presence of a nucleus enclosed by a membrane.
Which type of microorganism can cause vaginal yeast infections and oral thrush?
✔✔ Fungi, specifically Candida species.
Why can identifying the specific cause (etiologic agent) of a disease be challenging?
✔✔ Because many pathogens can produce similar signs and symptoms, making diagnosis
less straightforward.
What type of staining technique is the acid-fast stain?
✔✔ It is a differential stain used to identify bacteria with waxy, lipid-rich cell walls, such
as Mycobacterium species.
A doctor prescribes antibiotics for a patient with a runny nose, fever, and body aches.
What type of infection might the doctor suspect?
✔✔ Likely a bacterial infection; however, the symptoms described are typically viral, and
antibiotics would not be effective.
A patient develops a yeast infection after taking antibiotics. What kind of medication is
needed?
✔✔ An antifungal medication, since the infection is fungal in nature.
