Which bacteria is responsible for causing tuberculosis?
- A. Mycobacterium tuberculosis
- B. Streptococcus pneumoniae
- C. Salmonella enterica
- D. Neisseria meningitidis
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This bacterium is responsible for causing tuberculosis. It is a slow-growing, acid-fast bacillus that primarily affects the lungs. Mycobacterium tuberculosis is transmitted through the air via respiratory droplets. Choice B, Streptococcus pneumoniae, is a common cause of pneumonia but not tuberculosis. Choice C, Salmonella enterica, causes food poisoning. Choice D, Neisseria meningitidis, causes meningitis, not tuberculosis. Therefore, Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the correct answer based on its characteristics and mode of transmission.
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Which of the following is a primary function of bacterial capsules?
- A. Energy production
- B. Protection from desiccation
- C. Adhesion and immune evasion
- D. DNA replication
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Adhesion and immune evasion. Bacterial capsules serve as a protective layer that aids in adhesion to surfaces and host cells, allowing bacteria to colonize and evade the immune system. This function is crucial for bacterial survival and pathogenicity. Choices A and D are incorrect because energy production and DNA replication are not primary functions of bacterial capsules. Choice B is incorrect because while bacterial capsules do provide some protection from desiccation, their primary function lies in adhesion and immune evasion.
Tuberculosis can be treated by means of combined chemotherapy that includes substances with different mechanisms of action. What antituberculous medication inhibits transcription of RNA into DNA in mycobacteria?
- A. Rifampicin
- B. Isoniazid
- C. Streptomycin
- D. Ethionamide
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Rifampicin is the correct answer because it inhibits RNA transcription in mycobacteria by binding to the bacterial RNA polymerase. This prevents the synthesis of RNA, leading to the inhibition of protein production essential for bacterial growth.
Isoniazid inhibits mycolic acid synthesis, Streptomycin inhibits protein synthesis, and Ethionamide disrupts mycolic acid synthesis. These mechanisms are different from inhibiting RNA transcription, making them incorrect choices.
Antigenic variation is used by bacteria to:
- A. evade host immune responses
- B. increase antibiotic susceptibility
- C. increase peptidoglycan synthesis
- D. enhance motility
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: evade host immune responses. Antigenic variation allows bacteria to change their surface antigens, making it difficult for the host immune system to recognize and attack them effectively. This enhances the bacteria's ability to evade immune responses and establish infection.
B: Increase antibiotic susceptibility is incorrect because antigenic variation does not directly impact the susceptibility of bacteria to antibiotics.
C: Increase peptidoglycan synthesis is incorrect because antigenic variation is not related to the synthesis of peptidoglycan, which is a major component of the bacterial cell wall.
D: Enhance motility is incorrect because antigenic variation does not directly affect the motility of bacteria.
In summary, antigenic variation in bacteria primarily serves to help them evade host immune responses, making option A the correct answer.
While examining the feces of a patient with diarrhea, cysts with four nuclei were found. What protozoan is most likely causing the condition?
- A. Entamoeba histolytica
- B. Lamblia
- C. Trichomonas
- D. Balantidium
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Entamoeba histolytica. This protozoan causes amoebiasis, which presents with symptoms like diarrhea. The cysts with four nuclei found in the feces are characteristic of Entamoeba histolytica. This protozoan is known to cause invasive infection, leading to tissue destruction and ulcers in the intestines. Lamblia (choice B) typically presents with cysts containing two nuclei. Trichomonas (choice C) is a sexually transmitted parasite and does not form cysts. Balantidium (choice D) is a ciliated protozoan that does not have four nuclei in its cyst form.
Which bacterial structure helps in the movement towards or away from chemical stimuli?
- A. Flagella
- B. Pili
- C. Capsule
- D. Fimbriae
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Flagella are the correct answer because they are long, whip-like structures that aid in bacterial movement towards or away from chemical stimuli. They rotate like propellers, allowing the bacterium to navigate its environment. Pili are used for attachment, not movement. Capsules are involved in protection and adherence, not chemotaxis. Fimbriae help in attachment to surfaces, not in movement towards stimuli.