microbiology an introduction 13th edition test bank

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because the main factor in the pathogenicity of diphtheria is the exotoxin produced by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae. This exotoxin inhibits protein synthesis in host cells, leading to tissue damage and the characteristic symptoms of diphtheria. A: The metachromatic bodies of Ernst-Babes are not the main factor in diphtheria pathogenicity. B: While endotoxins can contribute to the pathogenicity of some bacteria, in diphtheria, the main factor is the exotoxin. D: This is incorrect as the main factor in diphtheria pathogenicity is the exotoxin.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Step 1: Treponema pallidum is a spirochete bacterium known to cause syphilis, a sexually transmitted infection. Step 2: Neisseria gonorrhoeae causes gonorrhea, not syphilis. Step 3: Chlamydia trachomatis is responsible for causing chlamydia, not syphilis. Step 4: Escherichia coli is commonly found in the gut and can cause gastrointestinal infections, not syphilis. Summary: Treponema pallidum is the correct answer as it is the specific bacterium associated with syphilis, while the other choices are responsible for different infections.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Step 1: Understand haematogenic spread means bacteria traveling through blood. Step 2: Urinary tract infections typically occur due to bacteria entering through urethra, not via blood. Step 3: Choice A states bacterial UTIs are usually after haematogenic spread, which is incorrect. Step 4: Therefore, Choice A is NOT true for UTIs. Summary: B, C, and D are incorrect as they align with typical characteristics of UTIs.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Plague. The presence of ovoid Gram-negative bipolar-stained bacilli with a delicate capsule in the sputum is characteristic of Yersinia pestis, the causative agent of plague. Plague presents with symptoms like fever, chills, and cough. Plague is a zoonotic disease usually transmitted through fleas from rodents. The other choices (B: Tuberculosis, C: Leptospirosis, D: Brucellosis) can be ruled out based on the specific description of the bacteria in the sputum. Tuberculosis is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which is not Gram-negative. Leptospirosis is caused by Leptospira, which are spirochetes and not ovoid bacilli. Brucellosis is caused by Brucella species, which are small, coccobacilli and not ovoid bacilli.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Cell wall. In the Gram staining method, the primary differentiation of bacteria is based on the composition of their cell walls. Gram-positive bacteria have a thick layer of peptidoglycan in their cell walls, which retains the crystal violet dye and appears purple under the microscope. On the other hand, Gram-negative bacteria have a thinner layer of peptidoglycan and an outer membrane, which allows the crystal violet dye to be washed out during the decolorization step and take up the counterstain safranin, appearing pink. The different responses to stains are primarily due to the structural differences in the cell walls of these two types of bacteria. Summary: - Choice A: Cell wall is correct because it determines the differential staining in Gram staining. - Choice B: Cytoplasm is incorrect as it does not directly influence the staining properties of bacteria. - Choice C: Cytoplasmic membrane is incorrect as it is not the main structural