microbiology chapter 14 test bank Related

Review microbiology chapter 14 test bank related questions and content

Which bacteria is responsible for causing the disease known as whooping cough?

  • A. Clostridium botulinum
  • B. Bordetella pertussis
  • C. Streptococcus pneumoniae
  • D. Neisseria meningitidis
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Bordetella pertussis. This bacterium causes whooping cough by infecting the respiratory tract. It produces toxins that lead to severe coughing fits characteristic of the disease. Clostridium botulinum (A) causes botulism, Streptococcus pneumoniae (C) causes pneumonia, and Neisseria meningitidis (D) causes meningitis, not whooping cough. B. pertussis is the only bacterium specifically associated with whooping cough.