openstax microbiology test bank

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: pinocytosis. This is an active transport mechanism where cells engulf fluids or solutes through vesicles. Energy is required to transport substances against a concentration gradient. A is incorrect as pinocytosis is an active process, not passive like pinocytosis. B is incorrect as facilitated diffusion is a passive process that uses carrier proteins to move substances down a concentration gradient. C is incorrect as filtration is a passive process that relies on pressure gradients to move substances across a barrier. Therefore, D is the correct choice as it involves the active transport of substances into the cell.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: The polysaccharide capsule. The capsule of Neisseria meningitidis plays a crucial role in its virulence by preventing phagocytosis, allowing the bacteria to evade the host's immune system. This leads to increased survival and colonization in the host. Choice B: The beta lactamase is incorrect because it is an enzyme that breaks down beta-lactam antibiotics and does not directly contribute to the virulence of Neisseria meningitidis. Choice C: The erythrogenic toxin is incorrect as this toxin is produced by Streptococcus pyogenes, not Neisseria meningitidis. Choice D: None of the above is incorrect as the polysaccharide capsule is indeed a key virulence factor of Neisseria meningitidis.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Transduction. In bacterial genetics, transduction refers to the process of DNA transfer from one bacterium to another via bacteriophages. During transduction, the bacteriophage infects a bacterium, incorporating bacterial DNA into its own genome, which is then transferred to another bacterium upon infecting it. Rationale: A: Transfection is the process of introducing foreign DNA into eukaryotic cells, not bacteria. C: Induction is the process of activating gene expression in a cell. D: Infection is a general term for the invasion of pathogens into a host organism, not specific to DNA transfer via phages in bacteria.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: lyophilization. This technique involves freezing the sample and then removing the ice through sublimation, preserving the cells in a dry state. Desiccation (A) simply involves drying without freezing. Pasteurization (C) is a heat treatment to kill pathogens, not used for preservation. Radiation (D) can sterilize but doesn't involve freezing and drying like lyophilization.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Gram staining method. The rationale is as follows: 1. Gentian violet is a primary stain used in the Gram staining procedure to stain the bacterial cells. 2. Lugol's solution is a mordant that helps to fix the crystal violet stain in Gram-positive bacteria. 3. 95% alcohol is used as a decolorizing agent in the Gram staining process to remove the stain from Gram-negative bacteria. 4. Watermagenta is not a standard reagent in the Gram staining method. Therefore, based on the reagents mentioned, the staining method applied in this case is the Gram staining method. Other choices are incorrect: B: Ziehl-Nielsen's - This staining method is used for acid-fast staining, not for lobar pneumonia. C: Romanovsky - This staining method is used for blood smears, not for bacterial staining in pneumonia. D: Neisser - This staining method is not commonly used in routine bacterial staining procedures.