Understanding the morphology of viruses is essential for B. Pharm students preparing for pharmacology, microbiology, and virology exams. This concise guide on “Morphology of viruses MCQs With Answer” covers viral structure, capsid symmetry, envelope features, nucleic acid types, and the role of surface glycoproteins in host interactions. Learn to identify icosahedral, helical and complex architectures, grasp differences between enveloped and non-enveloped viruses, and recognize examples like influenza, adenovirus, and bacteriophages. These targeted MCQs will effectively strengthen diagnostic reasoning, antiviral drug considerations, and practical lab knowledge such as electron microscopy. Now let’s test your knowledge with 50 MCQs on this topic.
Q1. What is the protein shell that encloses the viral genome called?
- Capsid
- Envelope
- Nucleoid
- Matrix
Correct Answer: Capsid
Q2. Which capsid symmetry is formed by repeating triangular faces and is common in many animal viruses?
- Helical
- Icosahedral
- Complex
- Filamentous
Correct Answer: Icosahedral
Q3. Which virus example is classically enveloped and has a segmented negative-sense RNA genome?
- Poliovirus
- Influenza virus
- Adenovirus
- Bacteriophage T4
Correct Answer: Influenza virus
Q4. What is the term for the protein subunits that make up a capsid?
- Capsomeres
- Virions
- Nucleotides
- Glycoproteins
Correct Answer: Capsomeres
Q5. Which structural feature is derived from the host cell membrane during viral budding?
- Capsomere
- Envelope
- Nucleocapsid
- Tail fiber
Correct Answer: Envelope
Q6. Which microscopy technique is most commonly used to visualize viral morphology at high resolution?
- Light microscopy
- Transmission electron microscopy
- Confocal microscopy
- Phase-contrast microscopy
Correct Answer: Transmission electron microscopy
Q7. The nucleocapsid refers to which viral components combined?
- Capsid and envelope
- Genome and capsid
- Envelope and matrix protein
- Spike proteins and tail fibers
Correct Answer: Genome and capsid
Q8. Non-enveloped viruses are generally more resistant to which of the following?
- Low pH and detergents
- High temperatures
- UV radiation
- Antibodies
Correct Answer: Low pH and detergents
Q9. Which viral shape is typical for many plant viruses such as Tobacco mosaic virus?
- Icosahedral
- Helical rod-shaped
- Complex with tail
- Enveloped spherical
Correct Answer: Helical rod-shaped
Q10. Which virus family has a large complex, brick-shaped morphology and replicates in the cytoplasm?
- Poxviridae
- Herpesviridae
- Picornaviridae
- Orthomyxoviridae
Correct Answer: Poxviridae
Q11. Which component of enveloped viruses contains glycoproteins responsible for attachment to host cells?
- Capsomere
- Envelope
- Nucleocapsid
- Matrix protein
Correct Answer: Envelope
Q12. What distinguishes positive-sense (+) RNA viruses in terms of morphology and genome usage?
- Genome acts directly as mRNA for translation
- Genome must be transcribed into DNA first
- Genome is double-stranded RNA
- Genome is enclosed in a lipid bilayer only
Correct Answer: Genome acts directly as mRNA for translation
Q13. Which viral structural protein sits between the nucleocapsid and envelope in many enveloped viruses?
- Capsomere
- Matrix protein
- Reverse transcriptase
- Polymerase
Correct Answer: Matrix protein
Q14. Bacteriophage T4 has which characteristic morphological features?
- Icosahedral head and complex tail with fibers
- Simple helical capsid only
- Enveloped spherical particle
- Double-layered capsid without tail
Correct Answer: Icosahedral head and complex tail with fibers
Q15. Which viral genome type is characteristic of Retroviridae?
- Double-stranded DNA
- Single-stranded positive-sense RNA with reverse transcriptase
- Single-stranded negative-sense RNA
- Double-stranded RNA segmented
Correct Answer: Single-stranded positive-sense RNA with reverse transcriptase
Q16. The helical symmetry of a viral capsid means:
- Protein subunits form a spherical shell
- Protein subunits assemble in a helix around the genome
- Capsid has complex tail structures
- Genome is double-stranded DNA
Correct Answer: Protein subunits assemble in a helix around the genome
Q17. Which virus is a classic example of a non-enveloped icosahedral RNA virus causing poliomyelitis?
- Adenovirus
- Poliovirus
- Influenza virus
- Herpes simplex virus
Correct Answer: Poliovirus
Q18. Segmented genomes are important because they allow which evolutionary process in viruses?
- Antigenic drift
- Antigenic shift through reassortment
- Integration into host genome
- Formation of provirus
Correct Answer: Antigenic shift through reassortment
Q19. Which viral structural classification includes both enveloped and non-enveloped viruses but is defined by capsid tessellation number?
- Helical symmetry classification
- Icosahedral T-number classification
- Complex symmetry classification
- Pleomorphic classification
Correct Answer: Icosahedral T-number classification
Q20. What defines pleomorphic viruses?
- Rigid, identical shapes for all virions
- Variable shapes and sizes among virions
- Always non-enveloped morphology
- Always large dsDNA genomes
Correct Answer: Variable shapes and sizes among virions
Q21. Which of the following viral components is most susceptible to alcohol-based disinfectants?
- Viral capsid proteins of non-enveloped viruses
- Lipid envelope of enveloped viruses
- Viral nucleic acid inside capsid
- Tail fibers of bacteriophages
Correct Answer: Lipid envelope of enveloped viruses
Q22. The outer glycoprotein spikes of influenza virus include which two main proteins involved in attachment and release?
- Hemagglutinin and neuraminidase
- Capsomere and matrix
- Polymerase and integrase
- VP1 and VP2
Correct Answer: Hemagglutinin and neuraminidase
Q23. Which viral family contains double-stranded segmented RNA and has a double-layered capsid without an envelope?
- Reoviridae
- Flaviviridae
- Herpesviridae
- Paramyxoviridae
Correct Answer: Reoviridae
Q24. Viral envelope glycoproteins are important in host specificity because they:
- Form the capsid lattice
- Mediate receptor binding and entry
- Replicate the viral genome
- Provide ATP for viral functions
Correct Answer: Mediate receptor binding and entry
Q25. Which structural term describes the complete infectious virus particle?
- Provirus
- Virion
- Lysogen
- Plasmid
Correct Answer: Virion
Q26. Which virus is an example of an enveloped icosahedral DNA virus that establishes latency in the host?
- Herpes simplex virus
- Rhinovirus
- Norovirus
- Bacteriophage lambda
Correct Answer: Herpes simplex virus
Q27. Which of the following is NOT a typical function of capsid proteins?
- Protecting viral genome
- Facilitating genome delivery into host cells
- Directly synthesizing ATP
- Interacting with host cell components
Correct Answer: Directly synthesizing ATP
Q28. The presence of an outer envelope generally affects viral stability how?
- Increases resistance to detergents
- Makes virus more sensitive to desiccation and detergents
- Prevents antibody recognition
- Makes virus heat-stable
Correct Answer: Makes virus more sensitive to desiccation and detergents
Q29. Which structural feature helps bacteriophages attach to bacterial surfaces?
- Envelope glycoproteins
- Tail fibers
- Matrix proteins
- Nucleocapsid spikes
Correct Answer: Tail fibers
Q30. Cryo-electron microscopy has advanced viral morphology studies primarily by:
- Allowing visualization of living viruses in bright light
- Preserving native hydrated structures at near-atomic resolution
- Requiring chemical staining that alters structure
- Only imaging surface topography at low resolution
Correct Answer: Preserving native hydrated structures at near-atomic resolution
Q31. Which virus is non-enveloped and has a characteristic icosahedral capsid with fibers used in attachment to respiratory epithelium?
- Adenovirus
- Influenza virus
- HIV
- Measles virus
Correct Answer: Adenovirus
Q32. Envelope acquisition during budding typically occurs at which cellular location for many enveloped viruses?
- Host nucleus inner membrane
- Host plasma membrane or organelle membranes
- Mitochondrial matrix
- Golgi lumen only
Correct Answer: Host plasma membrane or organelle membranes
Q33. Which of the following viruses has a filamentous enveloped morphology and causes hemorrhagic fever?
- Ebola virus
- Rotavirus
- Poliovirus
- Adenovirus
Correct Answer: Ebola virus
Q34. Which viral structural element can determine tissue tropism by binding specific host receptors?
- Genome size
- Surface glycoprotein spikes
- Nucleocapsid proteins only
- Capsomere number
Correct Answer: Surface glycoprotein spikes
Q35. Which measurement best describes the typical size range of most viruses?
- 1–10 nanometers
- 20–300 nanometers
- 1–5 micrometers
- 1–10 millimeters
Correct Answer: 20–300 nanometers
Q36. The outer protein shell of some viruses that is not a lipid envelope but lies under the envelope is called:
- Glycocalyx
- Matrix or tegument
- Cell wall
- Capsomere layer
Correct Answer: Matrix or tegument
Q37. Which of the following describes a segmented negative-sense RNA virus family that is enveloped and causes respiratory infections?
- Picornaviridae
- Orthomyxoviridae
- Parvoviridae
- Caliciviridae
Correct Answer: Orthomyxoviridae
Q38. In viral assembly, the step where the viral genome is packaged into the capsid is called:
- Attachment
- Maturation
- Entry
- Budding
Correct Answer: Maturation
Q39. Which term refers to the visible zone of cell lysis caused by viruses in a cell monolayer used in plaque assays?
- Colony
- Plaque
- Inclusion body
- Focus
Correct Answer: Plaque
Q40. The tegument layer is characteristic of which virus family and contains proteins that modulate host responses?
- Herpesviridae
- Picornaviridae
- Reoviridae
- Flaviviridae
Correct Answer: Herpesviridae
Q41. Which feature helps to distinguish bacteriophages from most animal viruses morphologically?
- Presence of an icosahedral capsid only
- Complex tail structures used to inject DNA into bacteria
- Always enveloped
- Smaller genome sizes than all animal viruses
Correct Answer: Complex tail structures used to inject DNA into bacteria
Q42. Which viral family contains non-enveloped double-stranded DNA viruses with a distinctive icosahedral capsid and causes respiratory infections?
- Adenoviridae
- Flaviviridae
- Orthomyxoviridae
- Paramyxoviridae
Correct Answer: Adenoviridae
Q43. Antigenic drift involves which of the following at the level of viral morphology or proteins?
- Minor mutations in surface proteins altering antigenicity
- Complete reassortment of genome segments
- Acquisition of a new envelope from a different host
- Loss of capsid structure entirely
Correct Answer: Minor mutations in surface proteins altering antigenicity
Q44. Which viral structural measurement is most useful to categorize viruses by shape and size under electron microscopy?
- Osmolarity
- Particle diameter and symmetry
- Genomic GC content
- Plaque forming units
Correct Answer: Particle diameter and symmetry
Q45. Which viral protein is commonly targeted by antiviral drugs that block viral entry or release due to its surface localization?
- Polymerase
- Surface glycoprotein spike
- Internal capsid protein
- Ribosomal protein
Correct Answer: Surface glycoprotein spike
Q46. Which structural adaptation allows some enveloped viruses to bud from intracellular membranes rather than the plasma membrane?
- Presence of specialized capsomeres
- Targeting of viral glycoproteins to organelle membranes like the ER/Golgi
- Use of host DNA replication machinery
- Formation of bacterial-like tails
Correct Answer: Targeting of viral glycoproteins to organelle membranes like the ER/Golgi
Q47. Which of the following viruses is an example of a non-enveloped, small, single-stranded DNA virus that infects humans and causes childhood disease?
- Parvovirus B19
- HIV
- Influenza A
- Herpes simplex virus
Correct Answer: Parvovirus B19
Q48. The capsid triangulation number (T-number) relates to which aspect of icosahedral viruses?
- Number of genome segments
- Arrangement and number of capsid subunits
- Length of viral RNA
- Presence of an envelope
Correct Answer: Arrangement and number of capsid subunits
Q49. Which viral structural change is associated with maturation that increases infectivity after assembly?
- Loss of capsid proteins completely
- Proteolytic cleavage of structural proteins to form a stable virion
- Immediate disintegration of envelope
- Integration into the host genome
Correct Answer: Proteolytic cleavage of structural proteins to form a stable virion
Q50. Which structural characteristic is most relevant when designing vaccines that elicit neutralizing antibodies?
- Internal polymerase sequence
- Surface-exposed glycoproteins and epitopes
- Genome GC content
- Capsid T-number only
Correct Answer: Surface-exposed glycoproteins and epitopes
I am a Registered Pharmacist under the Pharmacy Act, 1948, and the founder of PharmacyFreak.com. I hold a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from Rungta College of Pharmaceutical Science and Research. With a strong academic foundation and practical knowledge, I am committed to providing accurate, easy-to-understand content to support pharmacy students and professionals. My aim is to make complex pharmaceutical concepts accessible and useful for real-world application.
Mail- Sachin@pharmacyfreak.com