mcgraw hill microbiology test bank

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Carrying antibiotic resistance genes. Bacterial plasmids are small, circular DNA molecules that can carry genes, including those for antibiotic resistance. This allows bacteria to survive exposure to antibiotics. Plasmids do not directly regulate bacterial growth (A), produce toxins (C), or facilitate endospore formation (D). Plasmids play a crucial role in the spread of antibiotic resistance among bacteria.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Visceral leishmaniasis. This disease is caused by the protozoan parasite Leishmania, which is transmitted by sandfly bites. The symptoms described in the question, such as enlarged liver and spleen, peripheral gland enlargement, and eathy colored skin, are characteristic of visceral leishmaniasis. Amebiasis (choice A) typically presents with gastrointestinal symptoms, Balantidiasis (choice B) is caused by a different parasite and presents with dysentery, and Lambliasis (choice D) is caused by Giardia lamblia and presents with diarrhea.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Escherichia coli. E. coli is a gram-negative bacterium, which means it has an outer membrane containing lipopolysaccharides (LPS), also known as endotoxins. Endotoxins are released when the bacterium is destroyed, causing an inflammatory response. Streptococcus pneumoniae (choice A) is a gram-positive bacterium and does not produce endotoxins. Clostridium tetani (choice B) produces exotoxins, not endotoxins. Staphylococcus aureus (choice D) is also a gram-positive bacterium and does not produce endotoxins. In summary, E. coli is the correct answer because it is a gram-negative bacterium that produces endotoxins, while the other choices are gram-positive bacteria that do not produce endotoxins.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The most probable diagnosis is A: Malaria. The patient's symptoms of periodic chills, high fever, and profuse sweating, along with living in Africa where malaria is endemic, strongly suggest malaria. The enlarged liver and spleen are consistent with malaria infection. The low erythrocyte count indicates hemolysis, a common feature of malaria. Spotted fever and sepsis do not typically present with the same pattern of symptoms and travel history as seen in this case. Haemolytic anaemia would not explain the patient's fever episodes and other symptoms. Therefore, based on the symptoms, travel history, and laboratory findings, malaria is the most likely diagnosis.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Lamblia. The cysts described match the characteristics of Giardia lamblia, a protozoan parasite. Giardia cysts are oval-shaped, 50-60 microns in diameter, and contain 2 nuclei (macronucleus and micronucleus). Giardia is commonly found in contaminated water sources and can cause gastrointestinal illness in humans. Incorrect choices: A: Toxoplasma - Toxoplasma gondii is a parasite that causes toxoplasmosis, transmitted through ingestion of contaminated food or water, but its cysts do not match the description given in the question. B: Amoeba - Amoebas are single-celled organisms, but they do not typically form cysts with visible nuclei as described. C: Balantidium - Balantidium coli is a ciliated protozoan that can cause dysentery in humans, but its cysts do not