Salient features of Fungi MCQs With Answer provides B. Pharm students a focused, exam-oriented overview of fungal biology, pathology, and pharmacology. This introduction highlights key keywords—fungi morphology, cell wall composition, ergosterol, spore formation, dimorphism, pathogenicity, antifungal targets, and laboratory identification—so pharmacy students can link mycology to clinical therapeutics. Emphasis is on deeper concepts: structural differences (hyphae, mycelium), reproductive strategies (sexual and asexual spores), medically relevant genera, diagnostic stains and culture, mycotoxins, and mechanisms of antifungal drugs and resistance. Clear, concise questions will sharpen diagnostic reasoning and drug-selection skills. Now let’s test your knowledge with 50 MCQs on this topic.
Q1. Which polymer is the primary structural component of most fungal cell walls?
- Cellulose
- Chitin
- Peptidoglycan
- Keratin
Correct Answer: Chitin
Q2. Which sterol is a major component of fungal cell membranes and a key antifungal drug target?
- Cholesterol
- Ergosterol
- Lanosterol
- Squalene
Correct Answer: Ergosterol
Q3. Which fungal structure represents a multicellular filament forming the vegetative body?
- Spore
- Yeast cell
- Hypha
- Conidium
Correct Answer: Hypha
Q4. Fungi that exist as yeasts at 37°C and molds at 25°C are described as:
- Obligate aerobes
- Thermophiles
- Dimorphic
- Microaerophiles
Correct Answer: Dimorphic
Q5. Which clinical specimen preparation uses India ink to detect Cryptococcus neoformans capsule?
- KOH mount
- India ink wet mount
- Gram stain
- Ziehl-Neelsen stain
Correct Answer: India ink wet mount
Q6. Conidia are examples of which type of fungal reproductive unit?
- Asexual spores
- Sexual spores
- Vegetative cells
- Resting cysts
Correct Answer: Asexual spores
Q7. Sabouraud dextrose agar is primarily used for:
- Bacterial isolation
- Parasitic egg counting
- Culturing fungi
- Antibiotic sensitivity testing
Correct Answer: Culturing fungi
Q8. Which staining method highlights fungal cell walls by silver impregnation?
- Gram stain
- Gomori methenamine silver (GMS) stain
- Wright stain
- Acid-fast stain
Correct Answer: Gomori methenamine silver (GMS) stain
Q9. Echinocandins inhibit which fungal biosynthetic enzyme or pathway?
- Ergosterol synthesis via 14α-demethylase
- β-(1,3)-glucan synthase
- DNA gyrase
- Protein synthesis at 30S ribosome
Correct Answer: β-(1,3)-glucan synthase
Q10. Amphotericin B exerts its antifungal effect primarily by:
- Inhibiting cell wall synthesis
- Binding to ergosterol and forming membrane pores
- Blocking DNA replication
- Inhibiting protein synthesis
Correct Answer: Binding to ergosterol and forming membrane pores
Q11. Which fungus is a common cause of superficial candidiasis in immunocompromised patients?
- Aspergillus fumigatus
- Cryptococcus neoformans
- Candida albicans
- Histoplasma capsulatum
Correct Answer: Candida albicans
Q12. Which fungal group produces ascospores within asci?
- Basidiomycota
- Ascomycota
- Zygomycota
- Deuteromycetes (imperfect fungi)
Correct Answer: Ascomycota
Q13. Which diagnostic test utilizes potassium hydroxide (KOH) to observe fungal elements?
- Culture on SDA
- KOH wet mount of skin/nail scrapings
- Latex agglutination
- ELISA for antibodies
Correct Answer: KOH wet mount of skin/nail scrapings
Q14. Which antifungal class targets fungal cytochrome P450 14α-demethylase to block ergosterol synthesis?
- Polyenes
- Azoles
- Echinocandins
- Allylamines
Correct Answer: Azoles
Q15. Mucor and Rhizopus belong to which classical fungal group often causing rhinocerebral infections?
- Ascomycetes
- Basidiomycetes
- Zygomycetes (Mucorales)
- Deuteromycetes
Correct Answer: Zygomycetes (Mucorales)
Q16. Which morphological feature distinguishes septate hyphae from aseptate hyphae?
- Presence of cross-walls (septa)
- Production of conidia
- Ability to form yeast cells
- Formation of spherules
Correct Answer: Presence of cross-walls (septa)
Q17. Dermatophytes specifically infect which tissues?
- Internal organs
- Hair, nails, and skin keratinized tissue
- Bloodstream
- Lungs only
Correct Answer: Hair, nails, and skin keratinized tissue
Q18. Which toxin produced by some Aspergillus species contaminates food and is hepatotoxic and carcinogenic?
- Patulin
- Aflatoxin
- Ochratoxin
- Fumonisin
Correct Answer: Aflatoxin
Q19. Which lab technique detects cryptococcal polysaccharide antigen in cerebrospinal fluid?
- India ink smear
- Latex agglutination test
- Gram stain
- ELISA for fungal DNA
Correct Answer: Latex agglutination test
Q20. Which genus forms septate hyphae and characteristic acute-angle branching in invasive pulmonary disease?
- Mucor
- Aspergillus
- Rhizopus
- Cryptococcus
Correct Answer: Aspergillus
Q21. Allylamines such as terbinafine inhibit which enzyme in the ergosterol pathway?
- Squalene epoxidase
- 14α-demethylase
- β-glucan synthase
- Lanosterol synthase
Correct Answer: Squalene epoxidase
Q22. Which term describes fungi that obtain nutrients by absorbing organic material from dead organisms?
- Parasitic
- Saprophytic
- Autotrophic
- Symbiotic
Correct Answer: Saprophytic
Q23. Superficial fungal infection commonly known as ringworm is caused by:
- Candida species
- Dermatophytes such as Trichophyton
- Cryptococcus species
- Histoplasma capsulatum
Correct Answer: Dermatophytes such as Trichophyton
Q24. Which fungal reproductive structure is characteristic of Basidiomycota and involved in sexual reproduction?
- Asci
- Basidium producing basidiospores
- Sporangium
- Conidiophore
Correct Answer: Basidium producing basidiospores
Q25. Which mechanism commonly contributes to fungal resistance to azole drugs?
- Increased ergosterol content without mutation
- Overexpression or mutation of 14α-demethylase (ERG11) and efflux pumps
- Loss of cell wall completely
- Inactivation of echinocandins
Correct Answer: Overexpression or mutation of 14α-demethylase (ERG11) and efflux pumps
Q26. Which diagnostic culture condition helps identify thermally dimorphic fungi?
- Incubation at both 25°C (mold) and 37°C (yeast)
- Only anaerobic incubation
- Only room temperature incubation
- Only 4°C incubation
Correct Answer: Incubation at both 25°C (mold) and 37°C (yeast)
Q27. Candida albicans can form which invasive structure aiding tissue penetration?
- Basidiospores
- Pseudohyphae and true hyphae
- Spherules
- Sporangiospores
Correct Answer: Pseudohyphae and true hyphae
Q28. Which fungal pathogen is primarily associated with pigeon droppings and causes meningitis in immunocompromised hosts?
- Aspergillus fumigatus
- Cryptococcus neoformans
- Candida albicans
- Blastomyces dermatitidis
Correct Answer: Cryptococcus neoformans
Q29. In the laboratory, the presence of broad non-septate hyphae with right-angle branching suggests infection by:
- Aspergillus species
- Mucorales such as Rhizopus
- Candida species
- Histoplasma capsulatum
Correct Answer: Mucorales such as Rhizopus
Q30. Which antifungal drug class directly binds ergosterol leading to increased membrane permeability and cell death?
- Azoles
- Polyenes
- Echinocandins
- Flucytosine analogs
Correct Answer: Polyenes
Q31. Flucytosine’s antifungal activity depends on conversion to which compound inside fungal cells?
- 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)
- Amphotericin
- Azole
- Griseofulvin
Correct Answer: 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)
Q32. Which lab finding is typical for systemic histoplasmosis in macrophages?
- Small intracellular yeasts within macrophages
- Large spherules filled with endospores
- Branching septate hyphae in blood
- Gram-positive bacilli in macrophages
Correct Answer: Small intracellular yeasts within macrophages
Q33. Which dermatophyte test assesses hair invasion pattern under the microscope?
- Wood’s lamp fluorescence
- KOH prep and microscopic hair examination
- India ink test
- Blood culture
Correct Answer: KOH prep and microscopic hair examination
Q34. Which fungal infection is commonly associated with inhalation of arthroconidia in arid regions (e.g., San Joaquin Valley)?
- Blastomycosis
- Coccidioidomycosis
- Candidiasis
- Cryptococcosis
Correct Answer: Coccidioidomycosis
Q35. Which antifungal is preferred for mucosal candidiasis and inhibits ergosterol synthesis as an oral azole?
- Terbinafine
- Fluconazole
- Amphotericin B (IV)
- Caspofungin
Correct Answer: Fluconazole
Q36. Mycotoxins are most relevant to pharmacy because they:
- Are used as antifungal drugs
- Can contaminate food and cause toxic effects in humans and animals
- Are always beneficial probiotics
- Serve as vaccine adjuvants
Correct Answer: Can contaminate food and cause toxic effects in humans and animals
Q37. Which laboratory parameter helps monitor amphotericin B toxicity in patients?
- Serum glucose
- Renal function tests (serum creatinine, BUN)
- Liver function only
- Complete blood count only
Correct Answer: Renal function tests (serum creatinine, BUN)
Q38. Which form of reproduction involves fusion of two compatible hyphal nuclei followed by meiosis to produce sexual spores?
- Asexual sporulation
- Sexual reproduction
- Binary fission
- Budding without nuclear fusion
Correct Answer: Sexual reproduction
Q39. Which laboratory method rapidly detects fungal DNA and helps in species identification?
- Culture on SDA only
- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
- India ink only
- GMS stain only
Correct Answer: Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
Q40. Which antifungal agent is an echinocandin used for invasive Candida infections by inhibiting cell wall glucan synthesis?
- Fluconazole
- Caspofungin
- Amphotericin B
- Griseofulvin
Correct Answer: Caspofungin
Q41. Sporothrix schenckii causes lymphocutaneous sporotrichosis and typically enters via:
- Inhalation only
- Traumatic inoculation through skin (thorn pricks)
- Mosquito bites
- Person-to-person contact
Correct Answer: Traumatic inoculation through skin (thorn pricks)
Q42. Which laboratory culture characteristic helps differentiate Candida albicans from other Candida species?
- Germ tube formation at 37°C
- Production of basidiospores
- Pigmented colonies on SDA only
- Growth only at 4°C
Correct Answer: Germ tube formation at 37°C
Q43. Griseofulvin is an antifungal that acts by:
- Inhibiting microtubule function and mitosis
- Binding ergosterol directly
- Inhibiting β-glucan synthase
- Blocking nucleic acid synthesis via 5-FU
Correct Answer: Inhibiting microtubule function and mitosis
Q44. Which feature best describes opportunistic fungal pathogens?
- They infect only healthy, immunocompetent hosts
- They cause disease mainly when host defenses are compromised
- They are non-pathogenic environmental fungi
- They are always transmitted sexually
Correct Answer: They cause disease mainly when host defenses are compromised
Q45. Which fungal diagnostic technique visualizes fungal elements by digesting keratin and concentrating organisms for microscopy?
- KOH preparation
- Blood culture without processing
- Acid-fast staining
- Coagulase test
Correct Answer: KOH preparation
Q46. Blastomyces dermatitidis typically causes which type of primary infection in humans?
- Cutaneous lesions only without pulmonary involvement
- Pulmonary infection that may disseminate to skin and bone
- Gastrointestinal infection only
- Urinary tract infection only
Correct Answer: Pulmonary infection that may disseminate to skin and bone
Q47. Which antifungal is commonly used topically for dermatophyte infections and targets squalene epoxidase?
- Terbinafine
- Fluconazole
- Amphotericin B
- Flucytosine
Correct Answer: Terbinafine
Q48. Which clinical syndrome is most associated with invasive Aspergillus infection in neutropenic patients?
- Skin tinea corporis
- Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis with angioinvasion
- Oral thrush only
- Superficial onychomycosis
Correct Answer: Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis with angioinvasion
Q49. The term “Deuteromycetes” historically referred to fungi that:
- Have well-defined sexual stages
- Lack an observed sexual stage (imperfect fungi)
- Are exclusively basidiomycetes
- Are photosynthetic
Correct Answer: Lack an observed sexual stage (imperfect fungi)
Q50. For antifungal stewardship in pharmacy practice, the most important initial step before therapy is:
- Empirical use of broad-spectrum antibiotics
- Accurate identification of fungal species and susceptibility testing when possible
- Immediate use of amphotericin for all suspected cases
- Avoiding diagnostics and treating symptomatically
Correct Answer: Accurate identification of fungal species and susceptibility testing when possible
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