microbiology chapter 13 test bank

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Vibrio cholerae. Cholera is caused by Vibrio cholerae, a bacterium that produces a toxin leading to severe diarrhea and dehydration. Clostridium botulinum (A) causes botulism, Salmonella enterica (C) causes salmonellosis, and Escherichia coli (D) can cause various illnesses but not cholera. Vibrio cholerae is the only bacteria specifically known for causing cholera.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because sterilization is the process of completely destroying all microorganisms, including resistant forms like spores, ensuring no viable organisms remain. This is crucial for ensuring complete elimination of potential pathogens. Choice A is incorrect because sterilization should eliminate all microorganisms, including spores. Choice C is incorrect as it describes disinfection, not sterilization. Choice D is incorrect because sterilization aims to eradicate all microorganisms, not leave any viable ones behind.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Cell wall. Mycoplasma species lack a cell wall, making them unique among bacteria. This is because they have a flexible cell membrane that provides structural support instead of a rigid cell wall. The absence of a cell wall allows them to be pleomorphic and gives them resistance to certain antibiotics targeting cell wall synthesis. Plasma membrane (B), DNA (C), and ribosomes (D) are present in Mycoplasma species, so they are not the correct answer.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Chocolate agar. Neisseria meningitidis is a fastidious organism that requires enriched media for growth. Chocolate agar contains heat-treated blood that provides essential nutrients for the growth of N. meningitidis. The other choices, A: Levine agar, B: Lowenstein-Jensen agar, and C: TCBS agar, do not provide the specific nutrients required for the growth of N. meningitidis. Therefore, only choice D, Chocolate agar, supports the growth of N. meningitidis due to its enriched composition.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Capsule. Capsules are a protective layer outside the bacterial cell wall that helps bacteria evade phagocytosis by immune cells. The capsule inhibits phagocytic cells from engulfing the bacteria, making it difficult for them to be recognized and destroyed. A: Flagella - Flagella are not involved in protecting bacteria from phagocytosis. They are responsible for bacterial movement. C: Endospore - Endospores are dormant, resistant structures formed by some bacteria in response to harsh conditions. They do not directly protect against phagocytosis. D: Pili - Pili are hair-like structures used for adhesion and conjugation, not for protection against phagocytosis.