1 A Streptococcus pneumoniae mutant does not produce a capsule. What will be the most likely result of this mutation if the bacteria infect a host?
 

Choose one:A. Without the capsule, the bacteria no longer produce MAMPs and so will escape detection by the host’s immune system.B. Without the capsule, the bacteria are more likely to cause septicemia (an infection of the blood) because they will enter the blood by extravasation more easily than encapsulated bacteria.C. Without the capsule, opsonization of the mutant will not be required for host macrophages to ingest the microbe, making it less pathogenic.D. The loss of the capsule will protect the bacteria from the oxidative burst in the phagolysosome and allow them to survive within phagocytes.

2 Which of the following will not promote a fever?
 

Choose one:A. prostaglandin E2B. pyrogensC. cytokine binding to hypothalamus receptorsD. shiveringE. vasodilation

3 In which of the following body sites would the mere presence of microbes indicate an infection?
 

Choose one:A. skinB. bladderC. bloodD. stomachE. lungs

4 Which of the following statements about the acquisition of the human microbiome is true?
 

Choose one:A. The genitourinary microbiome is first acquired in adulthood. B. The human microbiome begins to develop before birth.C. The first bacteria to colonize the intestines are strict anaerobes.D. The microbiome of babies less than 3 years old is less diverse than that in adults.

5 Organs have varied mechanisms for limiting the amount and types of colonizing microbiota. In the choices below, organs are matched with one of their microbiota-limiting mechanisms. Which organ and mechanism are mismatched?
 

Choose one:A. eye – constant washing action with antimicrobial factors such as lysozymeB. intestine – secretion of lectins that separate the microbiome from the host mucosal cellsC. skin – presence of dry, high-salt environmentsD. lungs – action of the mucociliary escalatorE. bladder – presence of bile salts

6 The five classic signs of localized inflammation are redness, warmth, pain, swelling, and altered function at the affected site. Altered function is caused when swelling interferes with the movement and function of the inflamed area. The other signs are matched with their causes below. Which sign and cause are mismatched?
 

Choose one:A. pain – increased production of prostaglandinB. warmth – increased production of pyrogensC. redness – increased blood flow to the siteD. swelling – increased vascular permeability

7 How does the alternative complement pathway kill the invading microbial cell?
 

Choose one:A. It destroys the proton motive force required for energy production.B. It stimulates the production of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), which trap the microbes and kill them with antimicrobial compounds.C. It enhances the phagocytosis of the microbes by host cells.D. It causes the oxidation of the microbe’s membranes by producing superoxide ion.