Nokea
Which of the following bacteria is known for producing a neurotoxin that causes paralysis?
- A. Clostridium botulinum
- B. Clostridium perfringens
- C. Escherichia coli
- D. Staphylococcus aureus
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Clostridium botulinum. This bacterium produces the botulinum neurotoxin, which causes paralysis by blocking the release of acetylcholine at neuromuscular junctions. Clostridium perfringens causes gas gangrene, not paralysis. Escherichia coli is associated with gastrointestinal infections, not paralysis. Staphylococcus aureus produces enterotoxins causing food poisoning, not paralysis. Therefore, Clostridium botulinum is the correct choice based on its well-known association with paralysis due to botulinum neurotoxin production.
You may also like to solve these questions
Hepatitis B infection may present with:
- A. Jaundice
- B. Elevated serum aminotransferase levels
- C. No symptoms
- D. All of the above
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: All of the above. Hepatitis B infection can present with jaundice due to liver inflammation, elevated serum aminotransferase levels due to liver damage, and sometimes no symptoms in the acute phase. This comprehensive presentation covers the spectrum of possible clinical manifestations of hepatitis B infection. Choices A and B are correct as they are common manifestations of hepatitis B infection. Choice C is incorrect as hepatitis B infection can indeed present with symptoms, making option D the most appropriate choice.
A patient with diarrhea had fecal analysis revealing small, curved Gram-negative bacilli with a monotrichous flagellum. These bacteria do not form spores or capsules and thrive in alkaline conditions. What is the causative agent?
- A. Vibrio cholerae
- B. Escherichia coli
- C. Salmonella
- D. Shigella
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Step 1: Small, curved Gram-negative bacilli with a monotrichous flagellum point towards a motile bacterium.
Step 2: The absence of spores or capsules and preference for alkaline conditions further narrows down the possibilities.
Step 3: Vibrio cholerae fits all criteria as it is a curved, motile, Gram-negative bacillus that thrives in alkaline environments.
Summary: Escherichia coli is a facultative anaerobe, Salmonella and Shigella are non-flagellated, and all of them can form capsules or spores, unlike Vibrio cholerae.
A fecal smear from a patient with chronic diarrhea revealed cysts with four nuclei. What is the causative agent?
- A. Entamoeba histolytica
- B. Balantidium coli
- C. Giardia lamblia
- D. Trichomonas hominis
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Entamoeba histolytica. The presence of cysts with four nuclei is characteristic of Entamoeba histolytica, a protozoan parasite causing amoebic dysentery. It forms cysts with four nuclei before maturing into trophozoites. Balantidium coli (B) is a ciliated protozoan causing balantidiasis, not known for four-nuclei cysts. Giardia lamblia (C) forms cysts with two nuclei, causing giardiasis. Trichomonas hominis (D) is a non-pathogenic flagellate found in the human colon, not associated with four-nuclei cysts.
Microscopy of a sputum smear from a pneumonia patient revealed Gram-positive diplococci with pointed ends surrounded by a capsule. What is the causative agent?
- A. Streptococcus pneumoniae
- B. Klebsiella pneumoniae
- C. Neisseria meningitidis
- D. Staphylococcus aureus
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Streptococcus pneumoniae.
1. Gram-positive diplococci with pointed ends: characteristic morphology of Streptococcus pneumoniae.
2. Surrounded by a capsule: S. pneumoniae is encapsulated, important for virulence.
3. Klebsiella pneumoniae (B) is a Gram-negative rod, Neisseria meningitidis (C) is a Gram-negative diplococcus, and Staphylococcus aureus (D) is a Gram-positive cocci in clusters, not diplococci.
In the cytoplasm of some bacteria there are substances in the form of granules. They are:
- A. cytoplasmic inclusions
- B. excess products of the metabolism
- C. reserve substances
- D. all of the above
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D. Cytoplasmic inclusions in bacteria refer to substances like granules. These granules can be excess products of metabolism or reserve substances stored for future use. Therefore, all of the choices are correct as cytoplasmic inclusions can be any of these substances. A is correct as it directly refers to cytoplasmic inclusions. B is correct as some granules can be excess metabolic products. C is correct as certain granules can serve as reserve substances. Therefore, the correct answer is D, as it encompasses all the possible types of substances found as cytoplasmic inclusions in bacteria.