microbiology chapter 12 test bank Related

Review microbiology chapter 12 test bank related questions and content

Which bacterium is known for causing food poisoning due to its production of enterotoxins?

  • A. Staphylococcus aureus
  • B. Clostridium botulinum
  • C. Salmonella enterica
  • D. Vibrio cholerae
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Staphylococcus aureus. This bacterium causes food poisoning by producing enterotoxins that lead to symptoms like nausea and vomiting. Staphylococcus aureus can survive in various food items and multiply rapidly, producing toxins that are heat-stable. Clostridium botulinum causes botulism due to neurotoxins, not enterotoxins. Salmonella enterica causes gastrointestinal infections, not primarily food poisoning. Vibrio cholerae causes cholera by producing a toxin that leads to severe watery diarrhea and dehydration, not enterotoxins like Staphylococcus aureus.