Microbiology A Systems Approach Test Bank

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Rationale: 1. The presence of ulcers in animals suggests a parasitic infection. 2. Mosquitoes as carriers indicate a protozoan transmitted through insect bites. 3. Among the choices, Plasmodium falciparum causes malaria transmitted by mosquitoes. 4. Leishmania tropica major causes cutaneous leishmaniasis, not ulcers. 5. Balantidium coli causes intestinal infections, not skin ulcers. 6. Trypanosoma cruzi causes Chagas disease, not skin ulcers.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Blood agar. Streptococcus pneumoniae is a fastidious bacterium that requires enriched media for growth. Blood agar provides the necessary nutrients and growth factors for the cultivation of S. pneumoniae, such as blood proteins and hemin. MacConkey agar (B) is selective for gram-negative bacteria and would not support the growth of S. pneumoniae. Peptone water (C) is a liquid medium that lacks the necessary nutrients for the growth of S. pneumoniae. Choice D is incorrect as blood agar is a suitable medium for cultivating S. pneumoniae.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The Ziehl-Neelsen stain is specific for acid-fast bacteria like Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bright red bacilli seen in the smear indicate the presence of acid-fast organisms, which is characteristic of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridium tetani, and Escherichia coli are not acid-fast bacteria and would not be stained red using the Ziehl-Neelsen method. Therefore, the correct answer is A: Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: psychrophiles. Psychrophiles are bacteria that can grow at low temperatures, typically below 20�C. This is because they have adapted to survive and thrive in cold environments. Mesophiles (A) grow best at moderate temperatures, thermophiles (B) thrive in high temperatures, and halophiles (D) prefer high salt concentrations. Psychrophiles are specifically adapted to cold temperatures, making them the correct choice in this scenario.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Step-by-step rationale for the correct answer (A - Clostridium tetani): 1. The patient has convulsive contractions of facial muscles, indicating tetanus. 2. Isolation of bacteria with terminal endospores that have a drumstick appearance is characteristic of Clostridium tetani. 3. Clostridium tetani produces tetanospasmin toxin causing muscle spasms. 4. Therefore, the correct answer is Clostridium tetani (A). Summary of why other choices are incorrect: B: Clostridium botulinum causes botulism, not tetanus. C: Clostridium perfringens causes gas gangrene, not tetanus. D: Bacillus anthracis causes anthrax, not tetanus.