mcgraw hill microbiology test bank Related

Review mcgraw hill microbiology test bank related questions and content

The causative agent of the pertussis (also known as whooping cough) morphologically appears as:

  • A. Gram positive bacillus
  • B. Gram negative coccobacillus
  • C. Long Gram-negative rod shaped bacterium
  • D. None of the above
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Gram negative coccobacillus. Bordetella pertussis, the causative agent of pertussis, is a gram-negative coccobacillus. This is because it is a small, rod-shaped bacterium that appears both as a bacillus (rod-shaped) and a coccus (spherical) shape. It does not retain the crystal violet stain in the Gram staining process, indicating its negative gram nature. Choice A is incorrect because pertussis is not a gram-positive bacillus. Choice C is incorrect because pertussis is not a long gram-negative rod-shaped bacterium. Choice D is incorrect as the other options do not accurately describe the morphology of Bordetella pertussis.