Microbiology Study Guide –Exam 4 (Final)
This is a list of the types of things you should be able to describe or explain in your own words for each
chapter. You are still responsible for the material covered in lecture and should know all of the key
terms at the end of the notes for each chapter.
Chapter 14 (Principles of Disease)
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Explain Koch’s postulates
Describe the stages of an infectious disease
Understand the concepts of portals of entry and exit
“Effect of numbers” the concept of the ID50 and LD50 for a pathogen
Describe various factors that contribute to pathogen virulence
Describe that factors that help pathogens penetrate host tissues
Distinguish between endotoxin and exotoxins
Describe various types of exotoxin, how they are acquired and give examples of each
Distinguish the various modes of transmission of infectious diseases
Different types of reservoirs of infection
Factors contributing to nosocomial infections
Sample Essay Questions:
1. Describe and illustrate the typical stages of an infectious disease.
2. Compare and contrast endotoxin and a typical exotoxin. List the symptoms associated with endotoxin
and a particular exotoxin.
3. What is a nosocomial infection (NI)? How frequent are nosocomial infections? List the three most
common types of NI and five different preventive measures used to avoid them.
Chapter 15 (Innate Immunity)
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The cells of human blood and the basic role of each
First Line of Defense: Physical and chemical barriers that provide immune protection
Second Line of Defense: Provide nonspecific immune protection if First Line is breached.
o The mechanism of phagocytosis & opsonins
o The process of inflammation
o Complement activation and its effects
o Effects of interferons
o Pyrogenic response (Fever)
Sample Essay Questions:
1. Describe the composition of human blood. List and describe the function of the cellular elements and
noncellular components.
Chapter 16 (Adaptive Immunity)
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Organs of the immune system and their basic roles
Active versus passive immunity, natural versus artificial immunity
Microbial and nonmicrobial antigens
Antigen presentation on MHC class I and MHC class II
The B cell and T cell antigen receptors and what type of antigen each binds
Helper T cells (TH1 & TH2) and cytotoxic T cells (CTLs)
The types of antigen presenting cells (APC) and the basic features of APCs
Humoral and cellular immune responses
Antibody structure and immunoglobulin molecules (IgG, IgM, IgA, IgE, and IgD)
What happens to a B or T cell that is activated (clonal selection)
What happens to a B or T cell that is not activated (apoptosis)
Tolerance to “self” and clonal deletion
Primary vs secondary immune responses
Features of memory T and B cells
T-independent B cell activation; superantigens
Sample Essay Questions:
1. Describe or outline the differences between humoral and cell mediated immune responses.
2. Describe the characteristics of the five different types of Immunoglobulin molecules.
Chapter 18 (Immunological Disorders)
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Describe the cellular/molecular basis of an allergic (anaphylactic) reaction
Describe the nature of type II, III & IV hypersensitive reactions
Indicate which ABO blood types are safe for transfusion to individuals of each type
Describe how the Rh blood antigen can endanger a developing fetus
Define autoimmunity and give examples of autoimmune conditions
Describe the relationship between MHC molecules and transplant rejection
Sample Essay Questions:
1. Describe Celiac Disease and explain its symptoms, treatment, epidemiology, and other important
characteristics.
2. Describe Multiple Sclerosis and explain the symptoms, treatment, epidemiology, and other important
characteristics of this disease.
3. Describe the main mechanisms of HIV transmission and the major disease categories or symptoms
associated with AIDS.
Chapter 19-24 (Selected Human Diseases)
Sample Essay Questions:
1. Select one of the infectious diseases of the reproductive system from the lecture notes and list
its signs and symptoms, pathogen(s), mode of transmission, reservoir, control, and one
additional important feature (e.g.: epidemiology, incubation period, complications, etc.).
2. Select one of the infectious diseases of the digestive system from the lecture notes and list its
signs and symptoms, pathogen(s), mode of transmission, reservoir, control, and one additional
important feature (e.g.: epidemiology, incubation period, complications, etc.).
3.
Select one of the infectious diseases of the nervous system from the lecture notes and list its
signs and symptoms, pathogen(s), mode of transmission, reservoir, control, and one additional
important feature (e.g.: epidemiology, incubation period, complications, etc.).
4. Select one of the infectious diseases of the skin from the lecture notes and list its signs and
symptoms, pathogen(s), mode of transmission, reservoir, control, and one additional important
feature (e.g.: epidemiology, incubation period, complications, etc.).
5. Select one of the infectious diseases of the respiratory system from the lecture notes and list its
signs and symptoms, pathogen(s), mode of transmission, reservoir, control, and one additional
important feature (e.g.: epidemiology, incubation period, complications, etc.).
6. Select one of the infectious diseases of the cardiovascular system from the lecture notes and
list its signs and symptoms, pathogen(s), mode of transmission, reservoir, control, and one
additional important feature (e.g.: epidemiology, incubation period, complications, etc.).