Which bacteria are responsible for causing the plague?
- A. Escherichia coli
- B. Yersinia pestis
- C. Clostridium difficile
- D. Staphylococcus aureus
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Yersinia pestis. Yersinia pestis is the bacterium responsible for causing the plague, specifically the bubonic plague. It is transmitted through fleas and rodents. Escherichia coli (A) is a common gut bacterium, Clostridium difficile (C) causes antibiotic-associated diarrhea, and Staphylococcus aureus (D) is associated with skin infections, but they are not responsible for causing the plague.
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Which of the following bacteria produce exotoxins that cause severe gastrointestinal illness?
- A. Clostridium botulinum
- B. Vibrio cholerae
- C. Escherichia coli
- D. All of the above
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D (All of the above) because all three bacteria listed produce exotoxins that cause severe gastrointestinal illness. Clostridium botulinum produces botulinum toxin causing botulism. Vibrio cholerae produces cholera toxin leading to cholera. Escherichia coli can produce various exotoxins causing different types of severe gastrointestinal illnesses like E. coli O157:H7 causing bloody diarrhea. Therefore, all choices A, B, and C are correct in this case as they all produce exotoxins causing severe gastrointestinal illness.
Which bacteria are capable of producing endospores?
- A. Staphylococcus aureus
- B. Clostridium botulinum
- C. Escherichia coli
- D. Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Clostridium botulinum. This bacterium belongs to the Clostridium genus, known for its ability to produce endospores. Endospores are dormant, resistant structures that help bacteria survive harsh conditions. Staphylococcus aureus (A), Escherichia coli (C), and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (D) do not produce endospores. Staphylococcus aureus is a gram-positive bacterium known for causing various infections, but it does not form endospores. Escherichia coli is a gram-negative bacterium commonly found in the intestines of humans and animals, but it does not produce endospores. Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a gram-negative bacterium that causes the sexually transmitted infection gonorrhea, but it also does not form endospores.
A patient with fever and sore throat had a throat culture revealing Gram-positive cocci in chains. The bacteria were catalase-negative and beta-hemolytic. What is the most likely causative agent?
- A. Streptococcus pyogenes
- B. Streptococcus pneumoniae
- C. Enterococcus faecalis
- D. Staphylococcus aureus
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Streptococcus pyogenes.
1. Gram-positive cocci in chains: characteristic of Streptococcus species.
2. Catalase-negative: Streptococcus species are catalase-negative.
3. Beta-hemolytic: S. pyogenes is beta-hemolytic on blood agar.
Therefore, S. pyogenes fits all these criteria.
B: Streptococcus pneumoniae is catalase-negative but alpha-hemolytic, not beta-hemolytic.
C: Enterococcus faecalis is catalase-negative, but not typically beta-hemolytic or in chains.
D: Staphylococcus aureus is catalase-positive and not in chains.
Growth of bacteria is a result of:
- A. Air consumption
- B. Water adsorption
- C. Enzyme production
- D. Radio isotopes
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The growth of bacteria is a result of water adsorption because water is essential for various metabolic processes within the bacterial cells, such as nutrient uptake, energy production, and waste removal. Water serves as a medium for chemical reactions to occur and provides structural support to the bacteria. Without sufficient water, bacteria cannot thrive and reproduce.
A: Air consumption is incorrect because while bacteria may require oxygen for respiration, it is not the primary factor for their growth.
C: Enzyme production is incorrect because enzymes are important for various cellular functions but do not directly influence bacterial growth.
D: Radio isotopes are incorrect as they are not essential for bacterial growth and can even be harmful to bacterial cells.
The most commonly acquired laboratory infections are caused by
- A. bacteria.
- B. viruses.
- C. protozoans.
- D. prions.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: bacteria. Bacteria are the most common cause of laboratory-acquired infections due to their ability to survive and multiply in various environments. They can easily contaminate lab equipment and surfaces, leading to infections if proper precautions are not taken. Viruses (choice B) are less common in laboratory-acquired infections as they require specific conditions to survive outside a host. Protozoans (choice C) are larger and less likely to be transmitted in a laboratory setting. Prions (choice D) are misfolded proteins and are not considered living organisms, making them an unlikely source of laboratory infections.