Microbiology Test Bank

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Protozoa. Protozoa are single-celled eukaryotic organisms, meaning they have a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles. Eukaryotes have complex cellular structures that include a nucleus, mitochondria, and other organelles. Therefore, protozoa are eukaryotes. Viruses (B) are not considered cells and lack cellular structures. Viroids (C) are smaller infectious agents that consist of only RNA, lacking the cellular structure of eukaryotes. Prions (D) are infectious proteins and do not possess cellular structures like eukaryotes. So, protozoa are the only choice that relates to eukaryotes due to their cellular structure.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Bacillus cereus is known to cause food poisoning due to the production of toxins in contaminated food. It is not the causative agent of anthrax or endocarditis. The correct answer is B because Bacillus cereus is commonly associated with foodborne illnesses, leading to symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. It's essential to understand the specific characteristics and pathogenicity of Bacillus cereus to differentiate it from other bacterial infections.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Negative stain. Negative staining uses acidic dyes which are repelled by the bacterial cell wall components, highlighting bacteria with a large amount of peptidoglycan. Acid-fast stain (A) is used to identify Mycobacterium species with waxy cell walls. Gram stain (B) differentiates bacteria into Gram-positive and Gram-negative based on cell wall composition. Option D is a duplicate of option C and is incorrect.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Entamoeba histolytica. This is because Entamoeba histolytica is known to cause amebic dysentery, leading to chronic diarrhea. The presence of cysts with four nuclei in the stool sample is characteristic of Entamoeba histolytica. Giardia lamblia (choice B) is known to cause diarrhea but does not present with cysts containing four nuclei. Balantidium coli (choice C) is a ciliated protozoan that can cause diarrhea, but it does not have cysts with four nuclei. Trichomonas hominis (choice D) is a non-pathogenic protozoan commonly found in the human colon and is not associated with causing chronic diarrhea or cysts with four nuclei.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C (25�C) because dimorphic fungi typically grow as molds at lower temperatures. At 25�C, the fungus is likely in its mold phase, which is the preferred temperature range for mold growth. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because 15�C and 20�C are too low for optimal mold growth, and 37�C is too high as it typically favors the yeast phase of dimorphic fungi. Therefore, the preferred temperature for mold growth of a dimorphic fungus is 25�C.