Which of the following bacteria causes the disease diphtheria?
- A. Bordetella pertussis
- B. Corynebacterium diphtheriae
- C. Streptococcus pyogenes
- D. Neisseria meningitidis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Corynebacterium diphtheriae. This bacterium produces a toxin that causes diphtheria by inhibiting protein synthesis, leading to the formation of a pseudomembrane in the throat. Bordetella pertussis causes whooping cough, Streptococcus pyogenes causes strep throat, and Neisseria meningitidis causes meningitis. Corynebacterium diphtheriae is the only bacterium among the choices known to cause diphtheria due to its specific toxin production.
You may also like to solve these questions
Algae that contain agar in their cell walls belong to:
- A. Chrysophyta
- B. Rhodophyta
- C. Chlorophyta
- D. Phaeophyta
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Rhodophyta. Rhodophyta is the phylum of red algae, which are known to contain agar in their cell walls. Agar is a gelatinous substance derived from these algae. Chrysophyta (A), Chlorophyta (C), and Phaeophyta (D) do not typically contain agar in their cell walls. Chrysophyta includes diatoms, Chlorophyta includes green algae, and Phaeophyta includes brown algae, none of which are known for agar production. Therefore, Rhodophyta is the correct choice based on the presence of agar in their cell walls.
Which of the following is a folate antagonist?
- A. Methyl Penicillin
- B. Trimethoprim
- C. Vancomycin
- D. Gentamicin
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Trimethoprim. Trimethoprim is a folate antagonist that inhibits dihydrofolate reductase, an enzyme essential for folate metabolism in bacteria. This disrupts bacterial DNA synthesis, leading to bacteriostatic effects. Methyl Penicillin (A) is a beta-lactam antibiotic that interferes with bacterial cell wall synthesis. Vancomycin (C) inhibits cell wall synthesis by binding to D-Ala-D-Ala terminus of cell wall precursors. Gentamicin (D) inhibits bacterial protein synthesis by binding to the 30S subunit of the bacterial ribosome.
Rod-shaped bacteria, some of which are endospore forming, are referred to as:
- A. cocci
- B. bacilli
- C. spirals
- D. vibrios
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. Bacilli are rod-shaped bacteria, some of which are endospore forming. Cocci are spherical, spirals are spiral-shaped, and vibrios are curved rod-shaped bacteria. Bacilli specifically refer to rod-shaped bacteria, making it the correct answer in this context.
A patient has a suspected pneumonia. In his sputum there were revealed gram-positive diplococci, prolonged with the slightly pointed opposite ends. What microorganisms are revealed in the sputum?
- A. Staphylococcus aureus
- B. Neisseria gonorrhoeae
- C. Neisseria meningitidis
- D. Streptococcus pneumonia
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Rationale: The description matches that of Streptococcus pneumoniae, which appears as gram-positive diplococci with slightly pointed opposite ends. Staphylococcus aureus, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Neisseria meningitidis do not match the specific characteristics described in the question. Staphylococcus aureus appears in grape-like clusters, while Neisseria species are typically seen as diplococci but lack the pointed shape described. Therefore, the correct answer is A: Staphylococcus aureus.
Production of RNA from DNA is called
- A. Transposition
- B. Translation
- C. Transcription
- D. RNA splicing
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Transcription. Transcription is the process of synthesizing RNA from a DNA template. During transcription, RNA polymerase binds to the DNA and produces a complementary RNA strand. This process is essential for gene expression.
Explanation for why other choices are incorrect:
A: Transposition involves the movement of genetic elements within a genome, not the production of RNA from DNA.
B: Translation is the process of synthesizing proteins from mRNA, not the production of RNA from DNA.
D: RNA splicing is the process of removing introns and joining exons in pre-mRNA to produce mature mRNA, not the initial production of RNA from DNA.