microbiology test bank

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Negative stain. Negative staining uses acidic dyes which are repelled by the bacterial cell wall components, highlighting bacteria with a large amount of peptidoglycan. Acid-fast stain (A) is used to identify Mycobacterium species with waxy cell walls. Gram stain (B) differentiates bacteria into Gram-positive and Gram-negative based on cell wall composition. Option D is a duplicate of option C and is incorrect.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Leffler's method. In this staining method, gentian violet solution is used as the primary stain, followed by Lugol's solution as a mordant, 960 spiritus as a decolorizer, and water fuchsin as a counterstain. Gentian violet stains the organisms purple, Lugol's solution helps in fixing the dye, 960 spiritus decolorizes non-specifically, and water fuchsin acts as a counterstain to help visualize the bacteria. Leffler's method is specifically used for staining sputum smears in suspected cases of croupous pneumonia. Summary: B: Gram's staining uses crystal violet, iodine, alcohol, and safranin. It is mainly used for distinguishing between Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. C: Ziehl-Neelsen's staining is used for acid-fast bacteria like Mycobacterium tuberculosis using carbol fuchsin and acid-alcohol

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Entamoeba histolytica. This is because Entamoeba histolytica is known to cause amebic dysentery, leading to chronic diarrhea. The presence of cysts with four nuclei in the stool sample is characteristic of Entamoeba histolytica. Giardia lamblia (choice B) is known to cause diarrhea but does not present with cysts containing four nuclei. Balantidium coli (choice C) is a ciliated protozoan that can cause diarrhea, but it does not have cysts with four nuclei. Trichomonas hominis (choice D) is a non-pathogenic protozoan commonly found in the human colon and is not associated with causing chronic diarrhea or cysts with four nuclei.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A, Clostridium botulinum. This bacterium produces botulinum toxin, leading to botulism. It is commonly found in soil and improperly canned food. Clostridium tetani causes tetanus, Staphylococcus aureus causes food poisoning, and Salmonella enterica causes salmonellosis. Therefore, A is correct due to its association with botulism, while the other choices are incorrect for causing different diseases.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because all three bacteria listed (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Clostridium botulinum) can produce toxins leading to food poisoning. Staphylococcus aureus produces heat-stable toxins causing rapid onset of symptoms. Escherichia coli can produce toxins like Shiga toxin leading to severe foodborne illness. Clostridium botulinum produces neurotoxins causing botulism. Choice A, B, and C are incorrect because each bacteria can produce toxins that are harmful if ingested.