mcgraw hill microbiology test bank Related

Review mcgraw hill microbiology test bank related questions and content

Which of the following bacteria produce endotoxins?

  • A. Streptococcus pneumoniae
  • B. Clostridium tetani
  • C. Escherichia coli
  • D. Staphylococcus aureus
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Escherichia coli. E. coli is a gram-negative bacterium, which means it has an outer membrane containing lipopolysaccharides (LPS), also known as endotoxins. Endotoxins are released when the bacterium is destroyed, causing an inflammatory response.

Streptococcus pneumoniae (choice A) is a gram-positive bacterium and does not produce endotoxins. Clostridium tetani (choice B) produces exotoxins, not endotoxins. Staphylococcus aureus (choice D) is also a gram-positive bacterium and does not produce endotoxins.

In summary, E. coli is the correct answer because it is a gram-negative bacterium that produces endotoxins, while the other choices are gram-positive bacteria that do not produce endotoxins.