Choose the best answer for each question. (1 mark each)
Diagram showing examples of protozoa, algae and fungi.
1. Which of the following is not a micro-organism?
2. Which micro-organism is acellular and requires a host to replicate?
3. Which pathogen is most commonly associated with athlete’s foot?
4. The term pathogen refers to:
5. A vector is best described as:
6. The best definition of a virus is:
7. Which of the following is a prokaryotic organism?
8. The smallest micro-organisms are:
9. Which organism commonly causes malaria?
10. Normal flora are best described as:
Bacterial growth curve illustrating lag, exponential (log), stationary and death phases.
11. Which condition generally increases bacterial growth?
12. Thermophiles grow best at:
13. Which factor does not affect microbial growth?
14. Anaerobic bacteria grow in environments:
15. The “lag phase” of growth represents:
Relative sizes of viruses, bacteria and eukaryotic cells shown on a logarithmic scale.
16. Bacteria reproduce mainly through:
17. A bacterial cell wall is made mainly of:
18. Viruses attach to host cells using:
19. Yeast reproduce primarily through:
20. Which component do viruses lack?
21. The function of bacterial flagella is:
22. A bacterial capsule helps with:
23. Protozoa usually reproduce by:
Comparison of disinfectants (used on non-living surfaces) and antiseptics (used on living tissue) in infection control.
24. Which method sterilizes equipment?
25. Antibiotics are effective against:
26. Which best describes an antiseptic?
27. Handwashing is effective because:
28. Disinfectants work by:
29. Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria:
30. Which method removes all microbes including spores?
31. Epidemiology is the study of:
32. An epidemic is:
33. A pandemic is:
34. Which is an example of direct contact transmission?
35. Which is a vector-borne transmission?
36. Which is an example of faecal–oral transmission?
37. The term "host" refers to:
38. Normal flora in the gut help by:
39. Overuse of broad-spectrum antibiotics can:
40. Which best describes a "reservoir" in epidemiology?
41. Which PPE is most important for preventing droplet spread in clinical settings?
42. Contact precautions for diarrhoeal illness often include:
43. Which route is most likely for tuberculosis?
44. Which best describes an opportunistic infection?
45. The incubation period is:
46. Which practice reduces healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) the most?
47. Which disease is most commonly spread via sexual transmission?
48. Which is an example of airborne transmission?
49. A fomite is:
50. Which public health measure helps track the source of an outbreak?
Answer all questions in the spaces provided. (2 marks each)
1. Define the term micro-organism and give one example.
2. State two differences between bacteria and viruses.
3. Explain what is meant by normal flora and state one benefit.
4. List two factors that affect bacterial growth.
5. Describe what happens in the log phase of bacterial growth.
6. Explain why viruses cannot reproduce outside a host.
7. State two reasons why hand hygiene is important in infection control.
8. Give two examples of transmission routes of disease.
9. Explain the difference between disinfection and sterilisation.
10. State two ways antibiotic resistance can spread in bacterial populations.
Answer the following question.
Discuss how poor hygiene practices contribute to the spread of infectious diseases. Your answer should include:
Illustration showing a foodborne illness outbreak at a school fair, highlighting poor hygiene, improper food storage, cross-contamination, and multiple students becoming ill.
Scenario: "The School Fair Outbreak"
During a school fair, several students reported symptoms of vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach cramps, and mild fever within 6–12 hours after eating food from a barbecue stall. Environmental officers found:
Answer all parts:
1. Identify the most likely transmission route in this scenario. (1 mark)
2. Name one likely pathogen that causes rapid food poisoning symptoms. (1 mark)
3. Explain two factors that contributed to the outbreak. (2 marks)
4. Suggest one control measure that could have prevented the outbreak. (1 mark)