microbiology chapter 11 test bank

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Streptolysin. Streptolysin is a toxin released by Streptococcus pyogenes that causes lysis of red blood cells and contributes to the pathogenicity of the bacteria. Enterotoxin (Choice A) is typically produced by Staphylococcus aureus, not Streptococcus pyogenes. Staphylocoagulase (Choice C) is an enzyme produced by Staphylococcus aureus to promote blood clot formation and is not associated with Streptococcus pyogenes. Therefore, the correct answer is B as Streptolysin is the toxin released by Streptococcus pyogenes.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Step-by-step rationale for why A is correct: 1. Clostridium tetani is known to produce tetanus toxin. 2. The tetanus toxin causes muscle rigidity and spasms characteristic of tetanus. 3. Clostridium perfringens is associated with gas gangrene, not tetanus. 4. Neisseria gonorrhoeae causes gonorrhea, not tetanus. 5. Bacillus anthracis causes anthrax, not tetanus. In summary, Clostridium tetani is the correct answer as it is specifically associated with causing tetanus, while the other choices are associated with different diseases.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Legionella pneumophila is a Gram-negative coccobacillus. It is not a coccus (round shape), spiral bacterium, or Gram-positive coccobacillus. The correct answer is C because Legionella pneumophila has a characteristic coccobacillary shape and stains Gram-negative due to its cell wall composition. The other choices are incorrect because they do not accurately describe the morphology or staining characteristics of Legionella pneumophila.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: sterols. Eukaryotic cytoplasmic membranes contain sterols, such as cholesterol, which provide stability and regulate fluidity. This is a key characteristic that distinguishes them from prokaryotic membranes. Cellulose (A) is a component of plant cell walls, not the cytoplasmic membrane. Starch (B) is a carbohydrate used for energy storage in plants. Chitin (C) is a component of fungal cell walls and arthropod exoskeletons, not found in eukaryotic cytoplasmic membranes.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Conjugation involves direct cell-to-cell contact for the transfer of genetic material, typically through a pilus. This process is well-documented in bacterial genetics. Transformation (A) involves uptake of free DNA from the environment. Transduction (B) is genetic transfer by a viral vector. Replication (C) is the process of producing identical copies of DNA or RNA. Therefore, the correct answer is D (conjugation) as it specifically refers to the one-way transfer of genetic material through direct cell-to-cell contact.