Of Viruses, Bacteria and The World of Microbiology

During 1919-20, immediately after the World War I, a deadly pandemic killed millions of people. What was it called?

• Bird Flu

• Swine Flu

• Bubonic Plague

• Spanish Flu

Unlike COVID-19, which predominantly affects older people the Spanish Flu mainly targeted _________ .

• Young Adults

• Only Women

• Children

• Infants

Viruses that infect bacteria are called __________.

• Methanogens

• Pathogens

• Fungus

• Bacteriophages

Who discovered the process of fermentation used widely in cooking?

• Edward Jenner

• Louis Pasteur

• Jonas Salk

• William Harvey

Which of the following is a saprotroph?

• Algae

• Pitcher Plant

• Fungi

• Cuscata

Who invented the small pox vaccine?

• Louis Pasteur

• Alexander Fleming

• Edward Jenner

• John Mendal

In the 19th century, Joseph ______, an English surgeon, pioneered antiseptic surgery. He found that surgical instruments sprayed with carbolic acid ( phenol) asignificantly reduced incidences of gangrene and he instructed surgeons to wash their hands with 5% carbolic acid solutions. He became known as the ‘Father of modern surgery’. In 1879, an antiseptic associated with personal hygiene was named after him. Name the antiseptic, and also his last name, which gave rise to the name of the antiseptic.

• Lister; Listerine

• Colgate; Colgate Toothpaste

• Detol; Detol antiseptic

• None of the above

Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the outermost layer of the white part of the eye and the inner surface of the eyelid caused by infectious microbes. In the early 1950s the adenovirus responsible for it was supposed to have been discovered at the Government Ophthalmic Hospital in Egmore, Chennai, which is the second oldest ophthalmic hospital in the world. How does the common man know this ailment as?

• Cataract

• Madras Eye

• Glaucoma

• Stye

Ernst Moro was an Austrian paediatrician who discovered that breast-fed children had stronger bactericidal activity in their blood than bottle-fed ones. His biggest contribution was carrot soup. Known as Moro’s carrot soup, he peeled and pureed carrots in water, added salt and served it. This simple dish exponentially decreased the death of babies due to ____________.

• Diarrhea

• Diabetes

• Urinary Tract Infection

• Whooping Cough

In 5,000 years of medical history only two diseases have been completely eradicated, both caused by viruses. First was Rinderpest, an infectious viral disease of cattle. The other was caused by one of two virus variants, Variola major and Variola minor. The earliest mention of this disease was in the 3rd century BC in Egyptian mummies and the last confirmed case was in 1977. What disease was this that was officially certified by WHO as totally eradicated in 1980?

• Polio

• Yellow Fever

• Small Pox

• AIDS