Q.1 Which of the following viruses is a DNA virus?
HIV
Influenza virus
Herpes simplex virus
Rabies virus
Explanation - Herpes simplex virus has a double-stranded DNA genome, whereas HIV is an RNA retrovirus, Influenza virus is an RNA virus, and Rabies virus is a negative-sense RNA virus.
Correct answer is: Herpes simplex virus
Q.2 Which virus is primarily transmitted by the Aedes mosquito?
Dengue virus
Hepatitis B virus
Measles virus
Poliovirus
Explanation - Dengue virus is transmitted by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. Hepatitis B spreads via blood, Measles via respiratory droplets, and Poliovirus via fecal-oral route.
Correct answer is: Dengue virus
Q.3 Which viral infection is associated with the development of cervical cancer?
HPV
HIV
Influenza
Adenovirus
Explanation - Human papillomavirus (HPV), especially types 16 and 18, is strongly associated with cervical cancer.
Correct answer is: HPV
Q.4 Which of the following viruses has a segmented RNA genome?
Influenza virus
Hepatitis C virus
Herpes simplex virus
Rabies virus
Explanation - Influenza virus has a segmented negative-sense RNA genome which allows reassortment, unlike Hepatitis C (single-stranded RNA), Herpes simplex (DNA), or Rabies virus (non-segmented RNA).
Correct answer is: Influenza virus
Q.5 Which virus is known for causing latent infection in neurons?
Varicella-zoster virus
Measles virus
Hepatitis A virus
Rotavirus
Explanation - Varicella-zoster virus establishes latency in dorsal root ganglia and can reactivate as shingles later in life.
Correct answer is: Varicella-zoster virus
Q.6 Which virus is the causative agent of AIDS?
HIV
HBV
HCV
HSV-1
Explanation - Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infects CD4+ T cells, leading to immunodeficiency and AIDS.
Correct answer is: HIV
Q.7 Which virus is used in the production of vaccines for viral gene therapy due to its ability to integrate into the host genome?
Adenovirus
Retrovirus
Influenza virus
Rotavirus
Explanation - Retroviruses integrate their RNA genome into the host DNA, making them useful vectors for gene therapy.
Correct answer is: Retrovirus
Q.8 Which virus primarily infects the liver?
Hepatitis B virus
Rhinovirus
Rabies virus
Measles virus
Explanation - Hepatitis B virus infects hepatocytes, causing liver inflammation, unlike Rhinovirus (respiratory), Rabies (neuronal), or Measles (systemic).
Correct answer is: Hepatitis B virus
Q.9 Which of the following viruses is an example of a negative-sense RNA virus?
Rabies virus
Poliovirus
Hepatitis C virus
Adenovirus
Explanation - Negative-sense RNA viruses need RNA-dependent RNA polymerase to transcribe their genome. Rabies virus is negative-sense RNA; Poliovirus and HCV are positive-sense RNA, Adenovirus is DNA.
Correct answer is: Rabies virus
Q.10 Which virus causes congenital infection leading to birth defects such as microcephaly?
Zika virus
Influenza virus
Hepatitis B virus
HIV
Explanation - Zika virus infection during pregnancy can cross the placenta and cause microcephaly and other congenital abnormalities.
Correct answer is: Zika virus
Q.11 Which viral family does the Ebola virus belong to?
Filoviridae
Flaviviridae
Paramyxoviridae
Retroviridae
Explanation - Ebola virus belongs to the Filoviridae family, characterized by filamentous, enveloped viruses.
Correct answer is: Filoviridae
Q.12 Which virus causes the common cold?
Rhinovirus
HIV
Hepatitis C virus
Varicella-zoster virus
Explanation - Rhinovirus is the most common cause of upper respiratory infections known as the common cold.
Correct answer is: Rhinovirus
Q.13 Which virus is an example of an arbovirus?
Dengue virus
Hepatitis B virus
Measles virus
Poliovirus
Explanation - Arboviruses are transmitted by arthropods (e.g., mosquitoes). Dengue virus is transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes.
Correct answer is: Dengue virus
Q.14 Which virus is responsible for smallpox?
Variola virus
Vaccinia virus
Cowpox virus
Monkeypox virus
Explanation - Variola virus is the causative agent of smallpox, eradicated globally by vaccination using Vaccinia virus.
Correct answer is: Variola virus
Q.15 Which viral enzyme is unique to retroviruses and allows RNA to be converted into DNA?
Reverse transcriptase
RNA polymerase
DNA polymerase
Integrase
Explanation - Reverse transcriptase converts retroviral RNA into DNA, which is then integrated into the host genome.
Correct answer is: Reverse transcriptase
Q.16 Which virus is most commonly associated with liver cancer?
Hepatitis B virus
HIV
Influenza virus
Rotavirus
Explanation - Chronic Hepatitis B infection increases the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma.
Correct answer is: Hepatitis B virus
Q.17 Which of the following viruses can be transmitted via respiratory droplets?
Measles virus
Hepatitis B virus
HIV
Hepatitis C virus
Explanation - Measles virus spreads through respiratory droplets, whereas HIV and hepatitis viruses primarily spread via blood or body fluids.
Correct answer is: Measles virus
Q.18 Which virus is used as a vector in some COVID-19 vaccines?
Adenovirus
Retrovirus
Influenza virus
Rotavirus
Explanation - Adenoviral vectors are used in some COVID-19 vaccines to deliver the spike protein gene to host cells.
Correct answer is: Adenovirus
Q.19 Which virus is the cause of mumps?
Paramyxovirus
Flavivirus
Enterovirus
Herpesvirus
Explanation - Mumps virus belongs to the Paramyxoviridae family, causing parotitis and systemic symptoms.
Correct answer is: Paramyxovirus
Q.20 Which viral protein forms the outer envelope of influenza virus?
Hemagglutinin
Reverse transcriptase
NS1 protein
VP1
Explanation - Hemagglutinin is a surface glycoprotein of influenza virus responsible for binding to host cells.
Correct answer is: Hemagglutinin
Q.21 Which virus is the most common cause of viral gastroenteritis in children?
Rotavirus
Hepatitis A virus
Norovirus
Adenovirus
Explanation - Rotavirus causes severe diarrhea and dehydration in infants and young children worldwide.
Correct answer is: Rotavirus
Q.22 Which virus is primarily responsible for chickenpox?
Varicella-zoster virus
Measles virus
Rubella virus
Parvovirus B19
Explanation - Varicella-zoster virus causes chickenpox during primary infection and shingles upon reactivation.
Correct answer is: Varicella-zoster virus
Q.23 Which virus is known for its high mutation rate leading to seasonal epidemics?
Influenza virus
Hepatitis B virus
Poliovirus
Measles virus
Explanation - Influenza virus undergoes frequent antigenic drift and shift, causing recurrent seasonal epidemics.
Correct answer is: Influenza virus
Q.24 Which virus is associated with Kaposi's sarcoma in immunocompromised patients?
Human herpesvirus 8
EBV
HPV
HIV
Explanation - HHV-8 is linked to Kaposi's sarcoma, especially in HIV-positive individuals.
Correct answer is: Human herpesvirus 8