AP-Micro Microbiology: Mycology and Parasitology 2

Question 1

Which fungal structure is responsible for asexual reproduction by producing chains of spores through budding at the tip?

Accepted Answer

Conidiophore

Answer

Conidiophores are specialized hyphae that bear conidia (asexual spores) at their tips through a budding or fragmentation process.

Question 2

Plasmodium falciparum causes the most severe form of malaria primarily because it:

Accepted Answer

Infects red blood cells of all ages and causes cytoadherence

Answer

P. falciparum can infect erythrocytes of all ages and causes infected cells to adhere to capillary walls, leading to microvascular obstruction and cerebral malaria.

Question 3

The term 'dimorphic fungus' refers to an organism that:

Accepted Answer

Exists as a mold at 25°C and a yeast at 37°C

Answer

Dimorphic fungi switch between mold form (at environmental temperatures ~25°C) and yeast form (at body temperature ~37°C), which is critical to their pathogenicity.

Question 4

Entamoeba histolytica causes disease primarily by:

Accepted Answer

Secreting proteases that lyse intestinal epithelial cells

Answer

E. histolytica trophozoites secrete cysteine proteases and form flask-shaped ulcers in the colon by lysing and invading intestinal epithelium.

Question 5

Which laboratory test is most useful for diagnosing invasive aspergillosis in an immunocompromised patient?

Accepted Answer

Galactomannan antigen detection in serum

Answer

Galactomannan is a cell wall polysaccharide released by Aspergillus during growth; its detection in serum is a sensitive marker for invasive aspergillosis.

AP Practice Test

AP Practice Test

AP-Micro Microbiology: Mycology and Parasitology 2