microbiology chapter 12 test bank

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: biofilms. Biofilms are structured communities of microorganisms that adhere to a surface and are embedded in a matrix. This is the most appropriate term as it specifically describes the organization of various species into complex communities on a surface. Colonies (A) refer to groups of cells of the same species, not necessarily multiple species. Ecosystems (C) are broader systems involving interactions between living organisms and their environment. Plagues (D) are outbreaks of disease, not a term used to describe organized microbial communities.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Bacterial endospores. Bacterial endospores have a higher resistance to environmental stresses due to their unique structure, which includes a tough outer layer that protects the spore from harsh conditions such as heat, chemicals, and radiation. This protective layer allows endospores to remain dormant and survive in unfavorable environments until conditions improve. Summary: B: Fungal spores - While fungal spores can also survive in harsh conditions, they are generally not as resistant as bacterial endospores due to differences in their protective structures. C: Enveloped viruses - Enveloped viruses are susceptible to environmental stresses as their lipid envelope can easily be damaged by heat, chemicals, and other factors. D: Vegetative bacterial cells - Vegetative bacterial cells are more susceptible to environmental stresses compared to endospores, as they do not have the same level of protective mechanisms to survive in unfavorable conditions.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Borrelia burgdorferi. This bacterium is known for causing Lyme disease, which is transmitted through tick bites. Borrelia burgdorferi is specifically associated with Lyme disease due to its ability to infect and spread within the body, leading to a range of symptoms if left untreated. Summary of incorrect choices: B: Clostridium difficile - Known for causing gastrointestinal infections, not Lyme disease. C: Streptococcus pneumoniae - Commonly causes pneumonia and other respiratory infections, not Lyme disease. D: Mycobacterium tuberculosis - Causes tuberculosis, a respiratory disease, not Lyme disease.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because it lists the genera that belong to the family Reoviridae accurately. Orthoreovirus and Rotavirus are well-known genera within the family Reoviridae. Orbivirus is another genus belonging to the same family. Choice B is incorrect because Orthoretrovirus and Retrovirus are not part of the Reoviridae family. Orbfiloviridae is also not a valid genus within this family. Choice C is incorrect because Orthoretrovirus and Retrovirus are not part of the Reoviridae family. Orbivirus is the correct genus but the other two are inaccurate. Choice D is incorrect because Orthoretrovirus and Retrovirus are not part of the Reoviridae family. Orbarenaviridaefiloviridae is not a valid genus within Reoviridae.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because Shigella sonnei escapes phagocytic clearance by lysing the phagosome and replicating in the cytoplasm. This allows the bacterium to avoid being destroyed by the acidic environment and enzymes in the phagolysosome. Choice B is incorrect as Shigella does not have a capsule. Choice C is incorrect because Shigella actually induces phagosome-lysosome fusion to facilitate its escape. Choice D is incorrect as protein A is a component of Staphylococcus aureus, not Shigella sonnei.