Free Virology MCQs with Answers

83 Virology MCQs from Microbiology, each with the correct answer and a written explanation of why it is correct. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.

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  • A. Acute infection
  • B. Carrier state
  • C. Prodromal phase
  • D. Convalescence

Explanation: A rise in anti-HBc, particularly the IgM component, indicates a recent or acute hepatitis B infection.

Correct answer: Acute infection
  • A. Virus
  • B. Bacteria
  • C. Spirochete
  • D. Anaerobe

Explanation: Cytopathic effects are visible structural and functional changes produced in virus-infected host cells, such as cell rounding, lysis, or…

Correct answer: Virus
  • A. New virus particle arises directly (by division) from preexisting viruses
  • B. Fall in to the general size range of 200-3000 angstrom unit
  • C. Contain equal proportions of protein, lipo polysaccharide and nucleic acids
  • D. Contain DNA but no RNA

Explanation: Viruses commonly measure about 20 to 300 nm, equivalent to roughly 200 to 3000 angstroms.

Correct answer: Fall in to the general size range of 200-3000 angstrom unit
  • A. Chick embryo
  • B. Blood agar
  • C. Guinea pigs
  • D. Cell culture

Explanation: Viruses require living cells for replication, so they can be grown in embryonated eggs, laboratory animals, or cell cultures.

Correct answer: Blood agar
  • A. The time lapse between the infection and detection of viral antibodies
  • B. The time lapse between the infection and development of AIDS
  • C. The time lapse between obtaining the sample and detection of virus in the lab
  • D. None of the above

Explanation: The HIV window period is the interval after infection during which antibodies have not yet reached detectable levels.

Correct answer: The time lapse between the infection and detection of viral antibodies
  • A. Red blood cells
  • B. Fibroblasts
  • C. Helper T lymphocytes (CD4)
  • D. Mast cells

Explanation: HIV preferentially infects CD4 helper T lymphocytes through the CD4 receptor and chemokine co-receptors, progressively weakening…

Correct answer: Helper T lymphocytes (CD4)
  • A. Apthous stomatitis
  • B. Tuberculosis
  • C. Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia
  • D. Herpetic gingivostomatitis

Explanation: Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia, formerly called Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, is the classic AIDS-defining opportunistic infection.

Correct answer: Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia
  • A. Rheo
  • B. Retro
  • C. Rhabdo
  • D. Flavi

Explanation: HIV is a retrovirus because it carries reverse transcriptase and converts its RNA genome into DNA during replication.

Correct answer: Retro
  • A. Pox virus
  • B. Measles virus
  • C. Hepatitis B virus
  • D. HIVConsult Online Doctors

Explanation: Measles virus produces both intranuclear and intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies, including cytoplasmic Warthin-Finkeldey-type cells.

Correct answer: Measles virus
  • A. Rabies
  • B. Poliomyelitis
  • C. Influenza
  • D. Herpes

Explanation: Rabies vaccination is given after exposure has begun because post-exposure prophylaxis can prevent the virus from reaching the central…

Correct answer: Rabies
  • A. Composed largely proteins without any nucleic acid
  • B. Phase in which virus cannot be demonstrated in host cell
  • C. Viruses which are genetically deficient
  • D. Viral components may be synthesized but maturation & assembling is defective

Explanation: Prions are infectious protein particles composed largely of abnormal protein and contain no DNA or RNA.

Correct answer: Composed largely proteins without any nucleic acid
  • A. Japanese encephalitis
  • B. Kuru
  • C. Yellow fever
  • D. RabiesOrder DNA Kits

Explanation: Pigs act as important amplifying hosts for Japanese encephalitis virus, allowing high levels of viraemia that facilitate transmission by…

Correct answer: Japanese encephalitis
  • A. Acquires its envelope from nuclear membrane
  • B. Acquires its envelope from nucleolar membrane
  • C. Acquires its envelope from cytoplasmi membrane
  • D. None of the above

Explanation: Herpesviruses acquire their envelope by budding through the inner nuclear membrane, although further processing can occur through cellular…

Correct answer: Acquires its envelope from nuclear membrane
  • A. Enzymes
  • B. Protein coat
  • C. Polysaccharide
  • D. Lipids

Explanation: The viral protein coat contains antigens that stimulate protective antibody and cellular immune responses, forming the basis of many…

Correct answer: Protein coat
  • A. Nucleotides
  • B. Phospholipids
  • C. Scleroproteins
  • D. Nucleoproteins

Explanation: Viruses can be crystallized because they behave as organized chemical particles, and their major structural form is nucleoprotein, made of…

Correct answer: Nucleoproteins
  • A. Gastrointestinal tract
  • B. Nasal mucosa
  • C. Lung
  • D. Skin

Explanation: Poliovirus usually enters through the mouth and multiplies initially in the oropharyngeal and intestinal mucosa, so the gastrointestinal…

Correct answer: Gastrointestinal tract
  • A. Simple carriers
  • B. Late convalescence
  • C. High infectivity
  • D. Carrier status

Explanation: HBeAg indicates active viral replication and a high level of infectivity in a patient with hepatitis B.

Correct answer: High infectivity
  • A. Extracellular infectious virus particle
  • B. Smallest virus
  • C. A smallest particle similar to virus
  • D. None of the above

Explanation: The standard term is virion, meaning a complete infectious virus particle outside a host cell.

Correct answer: Extracellular infectious virus particle
  • A. Viral interference
  • B. Mutation
  • C. Supervision
  • D. Permutation

Explanation: Viral interference occurs when infection by one virus inhibits the multiplication of another virus, often through interferon production or…

Correct answer: Viral interference
  • A. Bunya virus
  • B. Reo virus
  • C. Calci virus
  • D. Rhabdo virus

Explanation: Reoviruses contain a segmented double-stranded RNA genome, whereas bunya, calici and rhabdo viruses have single-stranded RNA genomes.

Correct answer: Reo virus

Virology MCQs: common questions

Are these Virology MCQs free?

Yes. All Virology MCQs from Microbiology are free on TestUstad, with unlimited attempts and no account needed. Nothing on this page is a sample or a trial.

How many Virology MCQs are on this page?

There are 83 Virology MCQs in the Microbiology bank, shown 20 to a page with the correct answer and an explanation on each.

Does every Virology MCQ have an explanation?

Yes. Each Virology question shows the correct option and a written explanation of why it is correct, so a wrong answer teaches you something rather than just being marked wrong.

Can I take a timed Virology test?

Yes. The practice button on this page starts a free Virology test drawn from the Microbiology bank. It marks each answer instantly, gives you a score at the end, and can be retaken as many times as you like.