The mold responsible for the production of penicillin belongs to the subgroup of:
- A. Basidiomycota
- B. Ascomycota
- C. Zygomycota
- D. Deuteromycota
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Ascomycota. Penicillin is produced by the mold Penicillium, which belongs to the phylum Ascomycota. Ascomycota is known for its sac-like structures called asci that contain ascospores. Penicillium produces penicillin as a defense mechanism against bacteria. Basidiomycota (A) are known for producing mushrooms, Zygomycota (C) includes bread molds like Rhizopus, and Deuteromycota (D) is a classification for fungi with no known sexual reproductive stage.
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The bacteria that produces a thick pseudomembrane in the throat is:
- A. Corynebacterium diphtheriae
- B. Streptococcus pyogenes
- C. Neisseria meningitidis
- D. Bacillus cereus
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Rationale:
1. Corynebacterium diphtheriae is the correct answer as it is the bacteria responsible for causing diphtheria, characterized by a thick pseudomembrane in the throat.
2. Streptococcus pyogenes causes strep throat but does not produce a pseudomembrane.
3. Neisseria meningitidis causes meningitis and septicemia, not a throat pseudomembrane.
4. Bacillus cereus causes food poisoning, not throat-related symptoms.
Poxviruses are DNA viruses that replicate in the cytoplasm.
- A. TRUE
- B. FALSE
- C. Partially
- D. Not Sure
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Step 1: Poxviruses are indeed DNA viruses, confirmed by scientific research.
Step 2: Poxviruses replicate entirely in the cytoplasm, unlike most DNA viruses.
Step 3: Cytoplasmic replication is a unique characteristic of poxviruses.
Step 4: The replication process of poxviruses in the cytoplasm is well-documented.
Step 5: Therefore, option A (TRUE) is correct, as poxviruses replicate in the cytoplasm exclusively.
Which of the following organisms produces aflatoxin, a carcinogenic substance?
- A. Candida albicans
- B. Claviceps purpurea
- C. Aspergillus flavus
- D. Staphylococcus aureus
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Step-by-step rationale:
1. Aspergillus flavus is a fungus known to produce aflatoxin.
2. Aflatoxin is a potent carcinogen found in contaminated food.
3. Candida albicans is a yeast species not associated with aflatoxin production.
4. Claviceps purpurea is a fungus that produces ergot alkaloids, not aflatoxin.
5. Staphylococcus aureus is a bacterium known for causing food poisoning, not aflatoxin production.
Summary: Aspergillus flavus is the correct answer as it is the organism known to produce aflatoxin, a carcinogenic substance. Other choices are incorrect as they are not associated with aflatoxin production.
Which scientist performed the first successful vaccination against smallpox?
- A. Pasteur
- B. Jenner
- C. Semmelweis
- D. Koch
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Jenner. Edward Jenner is credited with performing the first successful vaccination against smallpox in 1796. He used cowpox virus to inoculate individuals, leading to immunity against smallpox. Jenner's experiment laid the foundation for modern vaccination. Pasteur (A) is known for developing the germ theory of disease. Semmelweis (C) advocated for handwashing to prevent infections. Koch (D) identified the causative agents of several diseases but did not develop the smallpox vaccine.
Disinfection with chemicals acting on cell surface:
- A. Soaps
- B. Phenols
- C. Amines
- D. Polymyxin
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Phenols. Phenols act on the cell surface by disrupting cell membranes and denaturing proteins, leading to cell death. Soaps (A) work by lifting dirt and microbes off surfaces, not directly acting on cell surfaces. Amines (C) are typically used as disinfectants targeting specific enzymes in microbes, not cell surfaces. Polymyxin (D) is an antibiotic that works by disrupting cell membranes internally, not on the cell surface.