mastering microbiology test bank

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This bacterium is responsible for causing tuberculosis. Mycobacterium leprae (choice A) causes leprosy, not tuberculosis. Streptococcus pneumoniae (choice C) is known for causing pneumonia, not tuberculosis. Neisseria gonorrhoeae (choice D) is responsible for causing gonorrhea, not tuberculosis. Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the specific bacterium associated with tuberculosis due to its ability to infect the lungs and other organs, leading to the characteristic symptoms of the disease.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Adhesion and immune evasion. Bacterial capsules serve as a protective layer that aids in adhesion to surfaces and host cells, allowing bacteria to colonize and evade the immune system. This function is crucial for bacterial survival and pathogenicity. Choices A and D are incorrect because energy production and DNA replication are not primary functions of bacterial capsules. Choice B is incorrect because while bacterial capsules do provide some protection from desiccation, their primary function lies in adhesion and immune evasion.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Malaria. The patient's travel history to an endemic area like Tajikistan, along with symptoms of fever with chills, sweating, and hepatosplenomegaly, are classic for malaria. The blood test results show anemia (low RBC and hemoglobin levels), which can occur in malaria due to hemolysis. The presence of eosinophils and lymphocytes are not typical for malaria, but the overall clinical picture fits. Infectious mononucleosis (choice B) typically presents with sore throat, lymphadenopathy, and atypical lymphocytosis, which are not seen in this case. Sepsis (choice C) is characterized by systemic inflammatory response syndrome and organ dysfunction due to infection, which does not align with the symptoms and findings in the case. Typhoid fever (choice D) usually presents with gradual onset of sustained fever, abdominal pain, headache, and constipation, which are not present in this patient

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: (+RNA). This indicates that the scientist found a positive-sense RNA strand that can be directly translated by host cell machinery to produce viral proteins. Positive-sense RNA can act as messenger RNA, allowing immediate protein synthesis during viral replication. Choice A (RNA major) and D (RNA minor) are not standard terms used to describe RNA strands in virology. Choice B (-RNA) indicates a negative-sense RNA strand, which requires transcription to form a complementary positive-sense strand before protein synthesis. Thus, the identification of a strand of RNA that directly codes for viral proteins aligns with the characteristics of a positive-sense RNA strand.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: nucleic acid and proteins. Viruses consist of genetic material (nucleic acid) surrounded by a protein coat. The nucleic acid carries the viral genetic information, while the proteins form the capsid that protects the genetic material. This combination is essential for the virus to infect host cells and replicate. Lipids (choice B) are not typically part of the main structure of viruses. Lipids are more commonly found in the host cell membrane. Lipids and proteins (choice C) may be present in the viral envelope but are not the main structural components. Proteins and glycoproteins (choice D) are important for viral attachment and entry into host cells but do not constitute the main structural components of viruses.