What is the main component of bacterial cell walls?
- A. Lipopolysaccharides
- B. Cellulose
- C. Peptidoglycan
- D. Chitin
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Peptidoglycan. Bacterial cell walls are primarily composed of peptidoglycan, a unique molecule consisting of alternating sugar chains connected by peptide cross-links. This structure provides rigidity and shape to the cell wall, protecting the bacterial cell from osmotic pressure. Lipopolysaccharides (A) are found in the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria. Cellulose (B) is a component of plant cell walls, not bacterial cell walls. Chitin (D) is a polysaccharide found in the exoskeletons of arthropods and fungi, not in bacterial cell walls.
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Sanitary bacteriological research on water by the membrane filter method revealed two red colonies on a membrane filter (Endo agar) through which 500 ml of analyzed water were passed. Calculate the coli index and coli titer of the analyzed water:
- A. 4 and 250
- B. 2 and 500
- C. 250 and 4
- D. 500 and 2
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: 4 and 250. Coli index is calculated by dividing the number of red colonies by the volume of water analyzed, which gives 2 red colonies / 500 ml = 4. Coli titer is the reciprocal of the coli index, so it is 1 / 4 = 250. This indicates the concentration of coliform bacteria in the water sample. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect as they do not follow the correct calculation steps for determining the coli index and coli titer. B has the correct coli index but incorrect coli titer. C and D have the values reversed, leading to incorrect results.
A sample stained using Romanovsky-Giemsa method revealed crescent-shaped protozoa with pointed ends and blue cytoplasm. What is the causative agent?
- A. Toxoplasma
- B. Plasmodium
- C. Leishmania
- D. Trypanosoma
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Toxoplasma. The crescent-shaped protozoa with pointed ends and blue cytoplasm described in the question are characteristic of Toxoplasma gondii, the causative agent of toxoplasmosis. Toxoplasma staining with Romanovsky-Giemsa method typically shows these specific morphological features. Plasmodium causes malaria and does not exhibit the described morphology. Leishmania and Trypanosoma are both kinetoplastid parasites, but they do not typically present as crescent-shaped protozoa with blue cytoplasm. Therefore, based on the specific characteristics described in the question, the correct answer is Toxoplasma.
What is the structure of the bacterial cell wall?
- A. Peptidoglycan
- B. Lipopolysaccharides
- C. Phospholipids
- D. Chitin
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Peptidoglycan. Bacterial cell walls are composed of peptidoglycan, a unique macromolecule consisting of sugars and amino acids. This structure provides rigidity and protection to the cell. Lipopolysaccharides are found in the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, not in the cell wall. Phospholipids are the main components of cell membranes, not cell walls. Chitin is a structural polysaccharide found in the cell walls of fungi and some algae, not bacteria.
A patient with an abscess had Gram-positive cocci in clusters isolated from a wound culture. The organism was catalase-positive and coagulase-positive. What is the likely causative agent?
- A. Staphylococcus aureus
- B. Staphylococcus epidermidis
- C. Streptococcus pyogenes
- D. Enterococcus faecalis
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Step-by-step rationale:
1. Gram-positive cocci in clusters suggest Staphylococcus or Streptococcus.
2. Catalase-positive and coagulase-positive narrow it down to Staphylococcus.
3. Staphylococcus aureus is catalase-positive and coagulase-positive.
Therefore, the likely causative agent is Staphylococcus aureus.
Summary:
A: Correct - Staphylococcus aureus fits all the characteristics.
B: Incorrect - Staphylococcus epidermidis is catalase-negative and coagulase-negative.
C: Incorrect - Streptococcus pyogenes is catalase-negative and coagulase-negative.
D: Incorrect - Enterococcus faecalis is catalase-negative and coagulase-negative.
A patient has been brought to the hospital with the complaints of headache, pain in left hypochondrium. He has been ill for 1,5 weeks. The sudden illness began with the increase of body temperature up to 39, 90C. In 3 hours the temperature decreased and hydropoiesis began. The attacks repeat rhythmically in 48 hours. The patient had visited one an African country. The doctors have suspected malaria. What method of laboratory diagnostics is necessary to use?
- A. Blood examination
- B. Immunological tests
- C. Stool examination
- D. Urine examination
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct method of laboratory diagnostics for suspected malaria is blood examination. Malaria is diagnosed by detecting the presence of the Plasmodium parasite in the patient's blood. This can be done through microscopy to identify the parasite in a blood smear or through rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) that detect specific antigens produced by the parasite. Blood examination allows for the direct visualization of the parasite, making it the most accurate method for diagnosing malaria. Immunological tests, stool examination, and urine examination are not suitable for diagnosing malaria as the parasite primarily resides in the red blood cells. Stool and urine examinations are more commonly used for diagnosing gastrointestinal or urinary tract infections, respectively.