OpenStax Microbiology Test Bank

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Candida fungi. In the context of a 70-year-old man with angular cheilitis (lesion at the corners of the mouth) and stomatitis, the presence of large ovoid gram-positive cells points towards Candida species, which are yeast fungi. Candida is a common opportunistic pathogen that can cause oral thrush and angular cheilitis in immunocompromised individuals, such as elderly people. Candida fungi are known to appear as large ovoid cells under microscopic examination. Summary of other choices: B: Streptococci are gram-positive bacteria and are not typically associated with large ovoid cells seen in this case. C: Staphylococci are also gram-positive bacteria and are not known to present as large ovoid cells in this context. D: Neisseria are gram-negative bacteria and are not the usual etiological agents for oral lesions like angular cheilitis.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Peptidoglycan. Bacterial cell walls are primarily composed of peptidoglycan, a unique molecule consisting of alternating sugar chains connected by peptide cross-links. This structure provides rigidity and shape to the cell wall, protecting the bacterial cell from osmotic pressure. Lipopolysaccharides (A) are found in the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria. Cellulose (B) is a component of plant cell walls, not bacterial cell walls. Chitin (D) is a polysaccharide found in the exoskeletons of arthropods and fungi, not in bacterial cell walls.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Erysipelas. Erysipelas is a type of acute infection caused by group A Streptococcus bacteria. This bacteria infects the upper dermis and superficial lymphatics, leading to a distinct raised, well-demarcated, erythematous skin lesion. The other choices are incorrect because: A Carbuncle is a deep skin infection involving hair follicles, B Impetigo is a superficial skin infection caused by Staphylococcus or Streptococcus bacteria, and D Acne is a chronic inflammatory skin condition not typically caused by group A Streptococcus.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because collecting specimens from the surface of a wound does not provide adequate samples for anaerobic agent detection. Anaerobic agents thrive in deep tissue environments with low oxygen levels, making surface specimens unreliable. Tissue samples and aspirations (choice A) are superior for diagnosing skin infections. Excessive production of toxins, not skin rash (choice C), causes symptoms in some infections. While healthy skin provides some protection, it is not completely impenetrable to microorganisms (choice D).

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Neisseria species. Gram staining differentiates bacteria based on cell wall composition. Gram-negative bacteria like Neisseria have a thin peptidoglycan layer and an outer membrane, making them appear pink under the microscope. Streptococcus species (B) are Gram-positive cocci with a thick peptidoglycan layer, appearing purple. Bacillus (C) and Clostridium (D) species are Gram-positive rods, not Gram-negative cocci. Thus, the correct answer is A because Neisseria species are the only Gram-negative cocci among the choices provided.