foundations in microbiology test bank

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Phenols. Phenols act on the cell surface by disrupting cell membranes and denaturing proteins, leading to cell death. Soaps (A) work by lifting dirt and microbes off surfaces, not directly acting on cell surfaces. Amines (C) are typically used as disinfectants targeting specific enzymes in microbes, not cell surfaces. Polymyxin (D) is an antibiotic that works by disrupting cell membranes internally, not on the cell surface.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Trichomonas vaginalis. Trichomonas vaginalis is a sexually transmitted protozoan parasite that causes trichomoniasis, characterized by foamy purulent vaginal discharges. Microscopy of vaginal discharge showing flagellated protozoa with an undulating membrane and pear-shaped structure is indicative of Trichomonas vaginalis. Trypanosoma gambiense causes African sleeping sickness and is transmitted by tsetse flies. Leishmania donovani causes visceral leishmaniasis transmitted by sandflies. Lamblia intestinalis causes giardiasis and is characterized by diarrhea and flatulence.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A, Exotoxin. Botulism is caused by the exotoxin produced by Clostridium botulinum bacteria. The symptoms described - diplopia, acute headache, deglutition disorder, hard breathing, muscle weakness - are all consistent with botulism due to the neurotoxic effects of the exotoxin. The exotoxin interferes with neurotransmission at the neuromuscular junction, leading to muscle paralysis and the symptoms mentioned. The other choices (B, C, D, E) are incorrect as they do not correspond to the pathogenic mechanism of botulism and do not explain the specific clinical manifestations observed in this case.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: After the transfer of the F plasmid from the donor to the recipient cell, the correct answer is D. This is because the F plasmid carries genes for conjugation, allowing the recipient cell to become F+ (containing the F plasmid). The donor cell remains F. Choice A is incorrect as the outcome can be predicted based on the transfer of the F plasmid. Choice B is incorrect because the donor cell does not become F after transferring the F plasmid. Choice C is incorrect as only the recipient cell becomes F+, not both cells.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Ionizing radiation has enough energy to remove tightly bound electrons from atoms, creating charged particles (ions). UV light does not have enough energy to ionize atoms, making choice A the correct answer. Gamma rays, electron beams, and X-rays all have sufficient energy to cause ionization. Gamma rays are very high-energy electromagnetic radiation, electron beams are streams of high-energy electrons, and X-rays are high-energy electromagnetic radiation as well.