free microbiology test bank questions pdf

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because an anticodon is a nucleotide triplet in a tRNA molecule that pairs with a complementary codon on mRNA during translation. Step 1: Anticodons are found in tRNA, not in DNA or mRNA. Step 2: Anticodons specifically bind to codons on mRNA to ensure correct amino acid incorporation into the growing polypeptide chain, making option D the most accurate choice. Option A is incorrect as replication does not involve anticodons. Option B is incorrect because codons, not anticodons, are found on mRNA molecules. Option C is incorrect as it describes a codon on DNA, not an anticodon on tRNA.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Clostridium perfringens. Clostridium perfringens is a gram-positive spore-forming bacillus commonly found in soil. It produces hemolysis on blood agar, as described in the question. Clostridium botulinum is also a gram-positive spore-forming bacillus, but it does not typically cause hemolysis. Staphylococcus aureus is a gram-positive cocci, not a bacillus. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a gram-negative bacterium, not a gram-positive spore-forming bacillus.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Clostridium botulinum. This bacterium is associated with food poisoning from improperly canned foods due to its ability to produce botulinum toxin, a potent neurotoxin that causes botulism. Improper canning allows spores of Clostridium botulinum to survive and germinate, producing the toxin in anaerobic conditions. The other choices are incorrect because Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica, and Vibrio cholerae are not typically associated with food poisoning from improperly canned foods. Escherichia coli and Salmonella are more commonly linked to contaminated water or undercooked food, while Vibrio cholerae causes cholera primarily through contaminated water sources.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Thayer-Martin agar. This selective media contains antibiotics that inhibit the growth of other organisms while allowing Neisseria gonorrhoeae to grow. The antibiotics in Thayer-Martin agar include vancomycin, colistin, nystatin, and trimethoprim, which target different types of bacteria, ensuring the isolation of N. gonorrhoeae. Phenylethyl alcohol agar (A) is used to isolate gram-positive organisms, not N. gonorrhoeae. MacConkey agar (C) is selective for gram-negative enteric bacteria. Mannitol salt agar (D) is used for isolating Staphylococcus species based on their ability to ferment mannitol.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: viral DNA polymerase. This enzyme is essential for replicating the viral DNA during the herpesvirus life cycle. It catalyzes the synthesis of new DNA strands using the viral genomic template. Ribonucleotide reductase (B) is involved in nucleotide synthesis, but not directly in DNA replication. Neuraminidase (C) is an enzyme found in influenza viruses, not herpesviruses. Thymidine kinase (D) is an enzyme that phosphorylates thymidine, but its role is more related to nucleotide metabolism rather than viral DNA replication.