foundations in microbiology test bank

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Pseudomonas aeruginosa. P. aeruginosa is known for producing a blue-green pigment called pyocyanin, which gives a characteristic color to the colonies. The fruity odor is due to the production of a compound called 2-aminoacetophenone by P. aeruginosa. These features are classic for P. aeruginosa and help differentiate it from other Gram-negative rods. Proteus mirabilis (B) typically does not produce blue-green pigment or fruity odor. Klebsiella pneumoniae (C) and Escherichia coli (D) also do not exhibit these specific characteristics associated with P. aeruginosa.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Helicobacter pylori. Helicobacter pylori is a known bacterium associated with causing duodenal ulcers. The presence of Gram-negative curved bacteria in the biopsy along with a highly positive rapid urease test is characteristic of H. pylori infection. Vibrio cholerae causes cholera, not duodenal ulcers. Campylobacter fetus is associated with gastroenteritis, not duodenal ulcers. Acinetobacter baumannii is a nosocomial pathogen, not typically associated with duodenal ulcers. In summary, the unique combination of findings in this case points towards H. pylori as the most likely cause of the disease.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. Clostridium botulinum produces botulinum toxin, Salmonella enterica produces salmonella toxin, and certain strains of Escherichia coli produce toxins like shiga toxin. These toxins can cause severe foodborne illnesses. Therefore, all of the above bacteria can produce toxins that lead to foodborne illnesses. Choices A, B, and C alone are incorrect because each of these bacteria individually can produce toxins that lead to foodborne illnesses.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Order. The suffix -virales is used in virology to denote the order level in the taxonomy of viruses. Orders are higher taxonomic ranks compared to species, family, and genus. The suffix -virales is specifically assigned to virus orders, making choice B the correct one. The other choices (A, C, D) are incorrect because the suffix -virales does not apply to species, family, or genus in the taxonomic classification of viruses.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C (coli index of 250 and coli titer of 4). The coli index is calculated by multiplying the number of colonies by the reciprocal of the volume filtered, which gives 2 colonies x (1/0.5 L) = 4. The coli titer is obtained by dividing the volume filtered by the number of colonies, which gives 0.5 L / 2 colonies = 0.25 L or 250 ml. This indicates the concentration of coliform bacteria in the water sample. Choice A (4 and 250) is incorrect because it has the correct coli index but the values are reversed for coli index and coli titer. Choice B (2 and 500) is incorrect as it provides the correct coli titer value but the values are reversed for coli index and coli titer. Choice D (500 and 2) is incorrect because it reverses the values for both coli index and coli titer.