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.
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The territory of an old burial ground for animal refuse that hasn't been used for over 50 years is meant for house building. But soil investigation showed the presence of viable spores of a causative agent causing a very dangerous disease. What microorganism might have been preserved in soil for such a long period of time?
- A. Bacillus anthracis
- B. Francisella tularensis
- C. Brucella abortus
- D. Yersinia pestis
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Bacillus anthracis. This bacterium is known to form highly resistant spores that can survive for long periods in soil. Bacillus anthracis causes anthrax, a dangerous disease that can be transmitted to humans and animals. The other choices, Francisella tularensis, Brucella abortus, and Yersinia pestis, do not form spores as resistant as Bacillus anthracis. Therefore, only Bacillus anthracis is likely to have survived in the soil of the old burial ground for animal refuse for over 50 years.
Which one is FALSE:
- A. Tissue samples and aspirations are better specimens than the swabs for diagnosis of skin and soft tissue infections
- B. To prove anaerobic agents. The specimen should be collected from the surface of the wound.
- C. The skin rash in some infections is due to the excessive production
- D. Healthy skin is an impenetrable barrier for the microorganisms
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because collecting specimens from the surface of a wound does not provide adequate samples for anaerobic agent detection. Anaerobic agents thrive in deep tissue environments with low oxygen levels, making surface specimens unreliable. Tissue samples and aspirations (choice A) are superior for diagnosing skin infections. Excessive production of toxins, not skin rash (choice C), causes symptoms in some infections. While healthy skin provides some protection, it is not completely impenetrable to microorganisms (choice D).
Which bacteria are known for their ability to survive in extreme heat?
- A. Psychrophiles
- B. Mesophiles
- C. Thermophiles
- D. Halophiles
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Thermophiles. Thermophiles are bacteria that thrive in high temperatures typically above 45°C. They have specialized enzymes and cellular structures that allow them to survive and even thrive in extreme heat. Psychrophiles (A) are adapted to cold temperatures, mesophiles (B) thrive at moderate temperatures, and halophiles (D) prefer high salt concentrations, making them unsuitable for extreme heat survival. Therefore, Thermophiles are the only bacteria among the choices that are known for their ability to survive in extreme heat.
The ability of Clostridium tetani to produce exotoxins is encoded by?
- A. genes with chromosomal location
- B. clostridium tetani is not capable of producing exotoxins, it has only endotoxin activity
- C. genes with plasmid location
- D. chromosomal and plasmid location
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: genes with plasmid location. Clostridium tetani produces exotoxins through genes located on plasmids. Plasmids are extrachromosomal genetic elements that carry additional genes. These genes encode for the production of exotoxins in Clostridium tetani. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because Clostridium tetani does produce exotoxins, it does not have only endotoxin activity, and the genes responsible for exotoxin production are located on plasmids, not solely on the chromosome or both chromosome and plasmid.
The main virulence factor of Neisseria meningitidis is?
- A. The polysaccharide capsule
- B. The beta lactamase
- C. The erythrogenic toxin
- D. None of the above
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: The polysaccharide capsule. The capsule of Neisseria meningitidis plays a crucial role in its virulence by preventing phagocytosis, allowing the bacteria to evade the host's immune system. This leads to increased survival and colonization in the host.
Choice B: The beta lactamase is incorrect because it is an enzyme that breaks down beta-lactam antibiotics and does not directly contribute to the virulence of Neisseria meningitidis.
Choice C: The erythrogenic toxin is incorrect as this toxin is produced by Streptococcus pyogenes, not Neisseria meningitidis.
Choice D: None of the above is incorrect as the polysaccharide capsule is indeed a key virulence factor of Neisseria meningitidis.