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Quizzes > Quizzes for Business > Healthcare

Virology Methods Knowledge Test Challenge

Evaluate Key Virus Detection and Analysis Methods

Difficulty: Moderate
Questions: 20
Learning OutcomesStudy Material
Colorful paper art depicting a virology methods knowledge test quiz

Designed for virology students and lab professionals, this virology methods quiz offers a focused challenge on virus isolation, molecular assays, and biosafety protocols. Participants will deepen understanding of key lab techniques and data interpretation in a realistic multiple-choice format. Expand your assessment toolkit with related tests like the Research Methods Knowledge Test or the Academic Research Methods Quiz. Each question is fully editable in the quizzes editor, allowing customisation for coursework and study needs. Take the test now and elevate your virology expertise.

Which method is typically used to quantify infectious virus particles by forming clear zones on a cell monolayer?
ELISA
Plaque assay
Hemagglutination assay
qPCR
Plaque assays quantify infectious viruses by measuring clear plaques in cell monolayers, where each plaque corresponds to an infected cell focus. This method yields a direct count of plaque-forming units, reflecting viral infectivity.
What does the term MOI (multiplicity of infection) describe in cell culture experiments?
Number of plaque-forming units
Volume of inoculum added
Concentration of cells per ml
Ratio of infecting viral particles to target cells
Multiplicity of infection (MOI) describes the ratio of infectious viral particles to target cells in a culture. It helps standardize the level of infection across experiments for reproducibility.
Which cell culture medium is commonly supplemented with fetal bovine serum to support mammalian cell growth?
Sabouraud dextrose agar
DMEM
LB broth
TSB
DMEM is a basal medium widely used for mammalian cell culture and is typically supplemented with fetal bovine serum to provide essential nutrients. Other media like LB broth are suited for bacterial growth, not mammalian cells.
At which biosafety level (BSL) are moderate-risk agents handled, requiring biological safety cabinets?
BSL-3
BSL-1
BSL-4
BSL-2
Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) is designated for work with moderate-risk agents that pose danger if mishandled. It requires specific practices like use of biological safety cabinets for aerosol-generating procedures.
What does ELISA primarily detect in virology assays?
Viral genome sequences
Antibodies or antigens
Live virus particles
Plaque formation
ELISA is an immunoassay primarily used to detect either antigens or antibodies in samples using enzyme-linked detection. It does not directly measure live viruses or nucleic acids.
Which enzyme is responsible for synthesizing new DNA strands during PCR?
RNA polymerase
Taq DNA polymerase
DNA ligase
Reverse transcriptase
Taq DNA polymerase synthesizes new DNA strands during PCR due to its thermostability at high denaturation temperatures. Reverse transcriptase is used for RNA templates, not DNA amplification in PCR.
What is the correct order of steps in one cycle of PCR?
Extension, denaturation, annealing
Denaturation, annealing, extension
Denaturation, extension, annealing
Annealing, extension, denaturation
The standard PCR cycle begins with denaturation of DNA, followed by primer annealing, and then extension by DNA polymerase. This sequential order is critical for efficient and specific amplification.
In real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR), which component allows fluorescence-based quantification?
Agarose gel
Bovine serum albumin
SYBR Green dye
Horseradish peroxidase
SYBR Green intercalates into double-stranded DNA and emits fluorescence proportional to the product formed. This allows real-time quantification of DNA during qPCR cycles.
In immunofluorescence assays, what directly interacts with the viral antigen to provide a fluorescent signal?
DNA probe
Fluorophore-labeled antibody
ELISA substrate
Polymerase enzyme
In immunofluorescence assays, fluorophore-labeled antibodies bind specifically to viral antigens, emitting light upon excitation. DNA probes and polymerases are not used for this direct labeling.
During virus isolation, what is the purpose of treating samples with a lysis buffer?
To release viral particles from cells
To adjust pH for culture
To stain viruses for microscopy
To neutralize antibodies
Lysis buffer disrupts cell membranes to release intracellular viral particles or proteins for downstream assays. It does not neutralize antibodies or adjust pH for culture directly.
What does TCID50 measure in virology?
Viral genome copies per reaction
Number of plaques per ml
Antibody titer in serum
The dilution at which 50% of cultures are infected
TCID50 represents the dilution of virus required to infect 50% of inoculated cell cultures. It is a statistical measure of viral infectivity rather than counting individual plaques.
Why is fetal bovine serum (FBS) added to cell culture media?
Inhibits viral replication
Stabilizes pH
Acts as an antibiotic
Provides growth factors and nutrients
Fetal bovine serum (FBS) supplies essential growth factors, hormones, and proteins needed for cell proliferation. It is not an antibiotic and does not inhibit viral replication inherently.
Which biosafety level is required for handling SARS-CoV-2 in most virus propagation protocols?
BSL-4
BSL-2
BSL-3
BSL-1
SARS-CoV-2 work that involves virus propagation or culture typically requires BSL-3 containment due to its transmissibility and disease severity. BSL-2 is used for diagnostic procedures that do not generate high-risk aerosols.
What is the role of dideoxynucleotides (ddNTPs) in Sanger sequencing?
Enhance polymerase fidelity
Terminate DNA strand elongation
Label RNA transcripts
Initiate DNA replication
Dideoxynucleotides (ddNTPs) lack a 3' hydroxyl group, causing DNA strand termination when incorporated during Sanger sequencing. This termination allows determination of the DNA sequence based on fragment lengths.
In reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) for RNA viruses, what enzyme converts RNA into cDNA?
DNA polymerase I
RNase H
Reverse transcriptase
Taq polymerase
Reverse transcriptase synthesizes complementary DNA (cDNA) from an RNA template in RT-PCR workflows. Taq polymerase then amplifies the cDNA but cannot perform the initial transcription from RNA.
A plaque assay yields 50 plaques at a 10^-6 dilution with 0.1 ml inoculum. What is the viral titer in plaque-forming units per ml (PFU/ml)?
5 x 10^9 PFU/ml
5 x 10^8 PFU/ml
5 x 10^7 PFU/ml
5 x 10^6 PFU/ml
The viral titer is calculated as plaques divided by dilution factor and inoculum volume: 50/(10^-6 Ã - 0.1 ml) equals 5 Ã - 10^8 PFU/ml. This calculation standardizes the viral concentration for comparative studies.
In qPCR, if an internal control shows delayed amplification by 5 cycles compared to the no-template control, what is the most likely cause?
Presence of PCR inhibitors in the sample
Excess template DNA
Too high primer concentration
Incorrect annealing temperature
A delayed internal control in qPCR indicates the presence of inhibitors that slow polymerase activity, raising Ct values. Other factors like primer concentration or temperature errors would affect specificity or efficiency differently.
During a BSL-3 laboratory spill of a viral culture, what is the immediate first step in response?
Cover spill with dry paper towels only
Neutralize with ethanol spray immediately
Continue work and finish assay before cleanup
Evacuate the area and allow aerosols to settle before disinfection
In a BSL-3 spill scenario, the immediate response is to evacuate the area and allow aerosols to settle before initiating disinfection. This procedure minimizes exposure risk from airborne viral particles.
What is a key difference between end-point PCR and quantitative real-time PCR in virology?
qPCR cannot detect RNA viruses
End-point PCR provides quantitative data without standards
End-point PCR uses fluorescent dyes, qPCR uses gels
qPCR measures DNA accumulation during cycles, end-point PCR does not
Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) measures DNA accumulation during the exponential phase of PCR cycles, enabling quantification. End-point PCR only assesses product after completion and cannot reliably quantify initial template amounts.
Which strategy helps reduce amplification bias in next-generation sequencing library preparation of viral genomes?
Increasing cycle number of PCR uniformly
Using random hexamer primers without adaptor ligation
Using unique molecular identifiers (UMIs) before amplification
Omitting reverse transcription step
Unique molecular identifiers (UMIs) tag individual DNA molecules before PCR amplification, allowing accurate identification of duplicates and reducing bias. Other strategies like increasing cycle number or omitting steps do not correct for amplification skew.
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Learning Outcomes

  1. Analyse standard virus isolation and cell culture protocols.
  2. Identify key molecular techniques, including PCR and ELISA.
  3. Evaluate biosafety levels and safety procedures in virology labs.
  4. Apply quantitative assays to measure viral load accurately.
  5. Interpret results from immunofluorescence and sequencing assays.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Virus isolation & cell culture - Dive into the art of growing viruses in both primary cells and immortalized cell lines to see infections unfold. You'll master sterile technique and learn how to tweak growth conditions for clear results. Explore cell culture techniques
  2. PCR & ELISA foundations - Gear up to amplify viral DNA/RNA with Polymerase Chain Reaction and detect viral proteins or antibodies using ELISA. These go-to methods will become your lab superheroes when diagnosing or researching viruses. Deep dive into PCR & ELISA
  3. Biosafety levels (BSL-1 to BSL-4) - Unlock the secrets of lab safety by learning which containment practices match each biosafety tier. From simple gloves and goggles to full hazmat suits, you'll know exactly how to protect yourself and others. BSL levels explained
  4. Quantitative assays: qPCR & plaque - Measure viral load like a pro using quantitative PCR and count infectious units with plaque assays. These techniques give you the numbers you need to compare strains or test antiviral effectiveness. Master quantitative assays
  5. Immunofluorescence analysis - Light up infected cells with fluorescent antibodies to spot viral proteins under the microscope. You'll learn how to optimize staining and interpret colorful patterns for accurate conclusions. Immunofluorescence explained
  6. Viral genome sequencing - Sequence viral genetic material using next-generation methods to uncover mutations and track outbreaks. Hands-on practice will show you how bioinformatics turns raw data into actionable insights. Sequencing breakdown
  7. Sample collection & handling - Discover best practices for collecting, storing, and transporting viral specimens without losing integrity. Proper technique here ensures your downstream tests are both safe and reliable. Handling best practices
  8. Virus entry, replication & egress - Journey through the viral life cycle to see how viruses sneak into cells, hijack machinery, and burst out to infect more. Understanding each step is key to developing targeted interventions. Virus life cycle overview
  9. Antiviral agents & mechanisms - Explore how different drugs block viral enzymes, entry portals, or genome replication. You'll get to compare classes of antivirals and see why combination therapies can be so powerful. Antiviral mechanisms
  10. Immune response to viruses - Dive into the roles of antibodies, T-cells, and innate factors that recognize and clear infections. These defense strategies not only shape our health but also inform vaccine design. Immune response 101
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