foundations in microbiology test bank

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: K-antigen. H. Influenzae types are classified based on their capsular polysaccharides, which are known as K-antigens. The K-antigen is a major virulence factor and plays a crucial role in the pathogenicity of H. Influenzae. The other options (A, C, D) are not used to classify H. Influenzae types. Vi-antigen is related to Salmonella serotyping, O-antigen is characteristic of gram-negative bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Salmonella, and H-antigen is typically associated with flagellar antigens of bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Mycobacterium leprae. This bacterium is responsible for causing leprosy, also known as Hansen's disease. Mycobacterium leprae specifically targets the skin, peripheral nerves, and mucosa of the upper respiratory tract. It is an acid-fast bacterium with a slow growth rate, making it difficult to culture in the laboratory. Streptococcus pyogenes (choice A) is responsible for various infections such as strep throat, Neisseria gonorrhoeae (choice C) causes gonorrhea, and Escherichia coli (choice D) is commonly found in the gut and can lead to various infections but not leprosy.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Helicobacter pylori. This bacterium is associated with stomach ulcers as it can survive in the acidic environment of the stomach and produce substances that weaken the stomach lining. Escherichia coli (A) is associated with foodborne illnesses, not ulcers. Bacillus cereus (C) causes food poisoning. Clostridium difficile (D) is associated with antibiotic-associated colitis, not ulcers. Therefore, Helicobacter pylori is the correct answer based on its specific association with stomach ulcers.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Step 1: Poxviruses are indeed DNA viruses, confirmed by scientific research. Step 2: Poxviruses replicate entirely in the cytoplasm, unlike most DNA viruses. Step 3: Cytoplasmic replication is a unique characteristic of poxviruses. Step 4: The replication process of poxviruses in the cytoplasm is well-documented. Step 5: Therefore, option A (TRUE) is correct, as poxviruses replicate in the cytoplasm exclusively.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Yersinia pestis. Y. pestis is the causative agent of plague, a serious infectious disease transmitted through fleas. It causes bubonic, pneumonic, and septicemic plague. Bordetella pertussis causes whooping cough, Rickettsia prowazekii causes epidemic typhus, and Treponema pallidum causes syphilis. Y. pestis is the correct answer because it is specifically associated with plague, making the other options incorrect.