Microbiology Chapter 14 Test Bank

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Microscopy of blood smears. Malaria diagnosis is confirmed by identifying the Plasmodium parasite in a blood smear. This step is crucial as it directly visualizes the causative agent. The other choices are incorrect as they do not directly detect malaria parasites. B: Studying lymph node punctate is not specific for malaria. C: Urinalysis does not show malaria parasites. D: Studying cerebrospinal fluid is used to diagnose conditions affecting the brain and spinal cord, not malaria.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: RG2. RG2 is appropriate for agents associated with human disease that pose a moderate health risk. These agents may cause disease of varying severity, but generally do not result in serious health consequences. Other choices are incorrect because: A: RG1 is for agents not associated with disease in healthy adults, C: RG3 is for agents associated with serious or lethal human disease, and D: RG4 is for agents that pose a high risk of life-threatening disease and for which there are no treatments.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Protein synthesis. Bacterial ribosomes are responsible for translating mRNA into proteins through a process called translation. This is a crucial step in gene expression, where amino acids are assembled into polypeptide chains. Choice B (DNA replication) is incorrect because ribosomes are not involved in DNA replication. Choice C (Flagella formation) is incorrect as ribosomes do not play a direct role in flagella formation. Choice D (Toxin production) is incorrect as ribosomes are not directly involved in producing toxins.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Bacillus cereus. Bacillus intoxication is typically caused by Bacillus cereus, which is a common foodborne pathogen. This bacterium produces toxins that can lead to gastrointestinal illness when ingested. Bacillus subtilis (A) and Bacillus thuringiensis (B) are not known to cause intoxication in humans. Bacillus anthracis (C) causes anthrax, not intoxication. Therefore, Bacillus cereus is the correct choice for Bacillus intoxication.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The thin microorganisms described with 12-14 equal ringlets and pale-pink sharp points are characteristic of Borrelia spirochetes, the causative agent of relapsing fever. The ringlet appearance corresponds to the characteristic coiled structure of Borrelia spirochetes. The length of 10-13 mkm falls within the typical size range of Borrelia spirochetes. This pathogen is commonly identified in Romanovsky-Giemsa stained samples from patients with relapsing fever. Summary of other choices: A: Leishmaniasis - Leishmania parasites are larger and do not have the described ringlets or pale-pink sharp points. B: Leptospirosis - Leptospira bacteria are not described as having ringlets or pale-pink sharp points. C: Surra - Surra is caused by Trypanosoma evansi, and the description does not match the characteristics of this parasite.